Boxing Helena (1993)

A surgeon becomes obsessed with the seductive woman he once was in an affair with. Refusing to accept that she has moved on, he amputates her limbs and holds her captive in his mansion.

Director:

Jennifer Lynch (as Jennifer Chambers Lynch)

Writers:

Philippe Caland (story), Jennifer Lynch (screenplay) (as Jennifer Chambers Lynch)

Stars:

Julian Sands, Sherilyn Fenn, Bill Paxton

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julian Sands	...	Dr. Nick Cavanaugh
Sherilyn Fenn	...	Helena
Bill Paxton	...	Ray O'Malley
Kurtwood Smith	...	Dr. Alan Harrison
Art Garfunkel	...	Dr. Lawrence Augustine
Betsy Clark	...	Anne Garrett
Nicolette Scorsese	...	Fantasy Lover / Nurse
Meg Register	...	Marion Cavanaugh
Bryan Smith	...	Russell
Marla Levine	...	Patricia
Kim Lentz	...	Nurse Diane
Lloyd T. Williams	...	Sam the Clerk
Carl Mazzocone Sr.	...	Pastor
Erik Shoaff	...	Uncle Charlie
Lisa Oz	...	Flower Shop Girl

Storyline

A top surgeon is besotted with a beautiful woman who once ditched him. Unable to come to terms with life without her, he tries to convince her that they need each other. She has other ideas, but a horrific accident leaves her at his mercy. The plot is bizarre and perhaps sick at times, ending abruptly and with a twist.

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Plot Keywords:

obsessive love | captive woman | unrequited love | obsession | bare chested male | 

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Taglines:

Beyond love, beyond obsession, there hides something beyond reason.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R on appeal for two scenes of strong sexuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actor Ho-Sung Pak is a fan of Sherilyn Fenn's performance in Boxing Helena (1993). She later appeared in his film Fist of the Warrior (2007).

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Goofs

The main character has an English accent, even though neither of his parents (both of whom are heard speaking) do, the story takes place in America, and it is implied that he grew up there as well.

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Quotes

Ray O'Malley: Hasta whatever!

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Alternate Versions

"Boxing Helena" was originally rated "NC-17" by the MPAA. The DVD contains 1 minute of sexually explicit footage that had to be cut for the "R" rating. The cut footage in the UNRATED DVD version is as follows:

• When Nick fantasizes about Helena and Ray having sex we see a shot of most of Helena's butt in her thong underwear; Helena removing Ray's pants where we see part of his bare butt; Ray kissing up Helena's body where we see one of her breasts; and finally one last shot that shows Helena's breasts very briefly.
• During Nick's sex scene with the fantasy woman while Helena watches, extra footage includes a scene with Nick behind the woman, then a shot of him thrusting into her, followed by several views of the woman's bare breasts.

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Connections

Referenced in Dennis Pennis R.I.P. (1997)

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Soundtracks

Mozart's Piano Concerto #25
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Courtesy of LaserLight Digital
By Arrangement with Sounds of Film

User Reviews

Misunderstood

''such a nice fantasy'' ?????

To me the whole point of this film was to wrap you up in what is an extremely sick and obsessive male fantasy, make you almost believe it is OK, and then at the end you look at what you have accepted and realise it for what it is.

Boxing Helena is not comfortable watching, but I think a brilliant and involved portrayal of how people(men generally) justify and accept the most controlling acts and confuse them with love.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 September 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Boxing Hanna

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$787,724, 6 September 1993

Gross USA:

$1,796,389

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,796,389

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mainline Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1