Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989)

An unbalanced but alluring former mental patient takes a porn star prisoner in the hopes of convincing her to marry him.

Director:

Pedro Almodóvar

Writers:

Pedro Almodóvar (screenplay), Pedro Almodóvar (story)

Stars:

Victoria Abril, Antonio Banderas, Loles León

8 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Victoria Abril	...	Marina Osorio
Antonio Banderas	...	Ricky
Loles León	...	Lola (as Loles Leon)
María Barranco	...	Berta (as Maria Barranco)
Rossy de Palma	...	Traficante de drogas en Vespa
Julieta Serrano	...	Alma
Francisco Rabal	...	Máximo Espejo
Lola Cardona	...	Directora psiquiátrico
Montse G. Romeu	...	Montse
Emiliano Redondo	...	Decorador
Oswaldo Delgado	...	Fantasma
Concha Rabal	...	Farmacéutica
Alberto Fernández	...	Productor (as Alberto Fernandez)
José María Tasso	...	Anciano psiquiátrico
Angelina Llongueras	...	Montadora

Storyline

Ricky is released from a mental hospital, and knows exactly what he wants to do. He hunts down Marina, a porn film star he once had sex with, and tries to convince her to be his wife. She is a bit reluctant, so he ties her up. Will this approach endear him to her?

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Plot Keywords:

female full rear nudity | misogynist | lust | handcuffs | masturbation with a toy | 

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Taglines:

A love story...with strings attached!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for scene of strong adult sensuality with nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

12 April 1990 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!

Filming Locations:

Barajas, Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Gross USA:

$4,087,361

Company Credits

Production Co:

El Deseo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the United States, the home video releases from Miramax and Anchor Bay are rated NC-17, with the latter studio distributing the film under license from Miramax. The Criterion Collection releases are unrated because they were licensed directly from El Deseo, S.A. and neither studio are under contract with the MPAA to distribute the film with a certification.

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Goofs

When Ricky accepts to take Marina out, to search for painkillers, she puts on a dress without underwear. When they return home she undresses showing a pair of white panties.

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Quotes

Máximo Espejo: When you put your heart and genitals into something, it's always personal.

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Connections

References L'aigle à deux têtes (1948)

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Soundtracks

Resistiré
Written by Carlos Toro (as Carlos Toro) and Manuel de la Calva
Performed by Antonio Banderas and Loles León

User Reviews

A gripping movie, and often misunderstood

After all I heard and read about this movie, I think this one of the most commonly misunderstood movies ever. It is not a comedy (although sometimes bizarre). It is NOT a glorification of violence. It is not about S/M or Bondage (which occurs between consenting parties). It's message is NOT that if you tie up and beat a woman, she will love you in return.

This is a movie about two people who are unable to master life on their own. This has led Ricky to the mental ward and Marina to being a drug-addicted porn star, who just happens to have a streak of luck because a movie director is completely obsessed with her. In the end, the two have found each other and it looks as if together, they can find the happiness and home they always were looking for. Beautiful...

Yes, Ricky's method of convincing Marina to love him is horrible and unacceptable. His attitude toward women and life in general is seriously twisted, and he just cannot think of any other way to get what he needs to fulfill his desire of living what he considers an ordinary life. Why does Marina fall for it? Probably because he's the first person who ever seemed to care about her. He fights to get her, he fights to help her. Even if his interest in her is ruthless and possessive, it is a genuine, deep interest and that is what she has been missing all her life.

I found Atame to be a fascinating and remarkable movie. Watch it open-minded and try to look beneath the pure surface of the plot, and you will be moved and captivated by its beauty.