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

7 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Victoria Abril	...	Marina
Antonio Banderas	...	Ricky
Loles León	...	Lola
Francisco Rabal	...	Máximo
María Barranco	...	Berta
Rossy de Palma	...	Traficante de drogas en Vespa
Julieta Serrano	...	Alma
Lola Cardona	...	Directora psiquiátrico
Montse G. Romeu	...	Montse
Emiliano Redondo	...	Decorador
Oswaldo Delgado	...	Fantasma
Concha Rabal	...	Farmacéutica
Alberto Fernández	...	Productor
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

Pedro Almodóvar and the cast arrived at the film's Madrid premiere in a garbage truck that was decorated to look like a parade float.

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Goofs

When Ricky first takes the knife from the store, we see him put it in his back pocket. But when he gets on the bus, we can clearly see there is no bulge where the knife would be in his back pocket.

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Quotes

Ricky: I don't like tying you up.
Marina Osorio: Then don't.

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Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

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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

Both heads functioning at full capacity

I have to wonder why anyone who would give this movie a low rating felt the need to see it in the first place. Did you think you were gonna get a 90 minute subtitled skin flick? Tsk, tsk.

The characters are incredibly well-defined and the writing is ingenious. The scene in the apartment when Banderas first breaks in and confronts Abril is writing at perfection-- this man has forced his way in, but you go from liking him, to hating him, to liking him again in just this short little scene. The history between these characters is truly warped, and that makes this a really enjoyable film to watch, and I'm not just saying that because of the nudity.

Almodovar may have his obsessions, but that doesn't mean the rest of the movie isn't worth watching. It is, and will make you think, which I know a lot of American film-watchers don't like to do.

I had never seen an Almodovar film before, but I am so glad I did. Makes me want to find out just what else has been out there.

Artsy little film, with both heads functioning at full capacity. 9/10.