Legami!

Ricky (Antonio Banderas) is released from a mental hospital. He is obsessed with former porn actress Marina Osorio (Victoria Abril) who he slept with once before. She's trying to go straight and working for a lascivious director. Ricky breaks into her home and takes her prisoner. He wants to make her fall in love with him but she doesn't remember him.

Filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar delivers another sexually daring movie. The most memorable scene is probably Marina in the bathtub with a scuba diver toy. Both Banderas and Abril are compelling leads. If anything, I would like for them to spend the entire time in the apartment as a two person play. It would be intriguing to see Almodóvar push his writing skills and let his two stars play with the material.

An unbalanced but alluring former mental patient (Antonio Banderas) takes a porn star (Victoria Abril) prisoner in the hopes of convincing her to marry him.

How can anyone deny the beautiful, almost dreamlike use of color in this film? Trying to find anything comparable is a challenge. The musicals of Jacques Demy? No, not even those.

"Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!" comes from a strong pedigree, as it follows in the myth of Beauty and the Beast and the notion that the savagery of the Beast is, in the presence of Beauty, tamed by gentler feelings. This has been a recurrent theme in films like "King Kong", "Frankenstein" and "Tarzan the Ape Man". Some have even drawn parallels to "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" in that kidnapping can lead to romance.

The soundtrack was composed by Ennio Morricone in the style of a thriller and is reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann's score for Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho". This music changes the whole tone. Some consider the film a "dark romantic comedy" and others even say there is a hint of horror in there. Much of the mood relies on the music -- with a lighter tone, this could just be an "offbeat" romantic comedy and not a "dark" one -- there is very little about the film that is dark besides the music.

Marina Osorio (Victoria Abril) is a soft-porno star kidnapped in her own apartment by Ricky (Antonio Banderas), a guy who has just left a mental institution. He wants to get married with her. The storyline in this weird love story recalls `The Collector', i.e., a man kidnaps a woman because he is in love with her. But on the contrary of the William Wyler's drama in a cold and isolate farm in an English countryside, the situations in Almodóvar's colorful movie in the center of Madrid are very erotic and funny. For example, the scene when Marina is having a bath in her bathtub is hilarious. This cult movie is certainly not one of the best in Almodóvar´s filmography, but it is mandatory for those who are his fan. My vote is seven.

As this film opens Ricky learns that he is to be released from the mental institution that he has been confined to for the last few years. Upon release he immediately sets about finding Marina, a woman he spent the night with after escaping a year previously. Marina is now a 'proper' actress but at the time she met Ricky she was a porn star with a drug problem. Ricky goes to the film set then follows her home; once inside her apartment he knocks her out and ties her up. When she awakens he tells her that it is his intention that she will fall in love with him.

I found this film to be a lot of fun; it is frequently very funny, occasionally very sexy and more than a little bit morally twisted! Victoria Abril and Antonia Banderas are really solid as Marina and Ricky making it is easy to believe their characters' rather different relationship. Early on there is a sense of menace as Ricky kidnaps and threatens Marina, this however is tempered by various more humorous elements such as them needing to get medication for her toothache and Ricky's disguises in a couple of scenes. The way the story is filmed is more in the way of a romantic comedy then anything menacing; lots of bright colours and an airy apartment rather than subdued tones and some stark grey cellar. Some may find the ending rather offensive but if you don't take the film too seriously it is easy to accept and enjoy. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody looking for a 'rom-com' with a twist; it won't be for everybody though thanks to the way our two leads get together.

These comments are based on watching the film in Spanish with English subtitles.

Ricky is a charismatic 23-year-old who has just been released from a mental asylum. He has no goal in life but to settle down with Marina Osorio, a famed porn actress whom he once had a one-night stand with. The first step in his seduction technique is to force his way into Marina's flat and tie her to the bed. From there, as time marches on, Ricky is sure she will have no choice but to fall in love with him. In his mind, it's a fool-proof plan, though the realities of the situation prove to be a lot more complicated, as we see in Pedro Almodóvar's brilliant 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!'

A darkly comic love story, 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!' is funny, unpredictable and thoroughly enjoyable. Written by Almodóvar, Ricky and Marina's story is off-beat and surprisingly heartfelt. His dialogue is quick and sharp, and while his characters are all humorous creations to be sure, they are also multifaceted ones of depth and intelligence. They leave an impression on the viewer, and watching the narrative unfold around them is a delight. The film's examination of relationship structures is one most percipient, and Almodóvar's subversion of the traditional courting routines is wickedly clever. The themes involved therein are explored maturely, and- all in all- it's a great, dark little tale that'll keep you entertained throughout.

'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!' is a visually stunning watch, boasting stylish cinematography from José Luis Alcaine. Under Almodóvar's direction, he makes terrific use of space, texture and especially colour. His second collaboration with the director, Alcaine's utilisation of primary colours in the film is arresting, particularly of the reds and oranges; which linger in the mind long after the credits have rolled. It's a highly stylized film, with some extremely artistic shots that captivate the eye. Credit for the overall look of the film must also go to art director Ferran Sánchez and production designer Esther García, whose efforts have helped form the multicoloured spectacle that the finished flick is.

The film features a score from the late, great Ennio Morricone, arguably the king of the motion picture soundtrack. His work for 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!' is delicate and beautiful, adding no small amount of majesty to the proceedings; with the track 'If You Knew How Many Nights' being particularly haunting. Also of note is José Salcedo's editing, which is swift and flawless; with scenes cut together seamlessly. Additionally, José María de Cossío's costume design is intricate and detailed, and his costumes for Marina are especially rich.

'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!' finds Victoria Abril and Antonio Banderas starring as Marina and Ricky, respectively. Abril is terrific, and gives a spirited performance of tenacity and wit. An incredibly likable and talented performer, she gives the role her all and holds nothing back. She is matched by Banderas, who brings boundless charm and intensity to Ricky, making him a most lovable madman. Together, they work wonderfully, sharing an electric chemistry that seems genuine. From the supporting cast, Loles León and Francisco Rabal stand out, giving hilarious performances that are highlights in both of their filmographies.

Original, funny and heartfelt, Pedro Almodóvar's 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!' is a marvellous black comedy that impresses on every level. Featuring an assured visual style and terrific cinematography from José Luis Alcaine, as well as an emotive Ennio Morricone score, the movie has a lot to offer viewers. Strongly acted and cleverly written, the film is a colourful and crazy love story that is sure to entertain and amuse any who watch it.