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IMDbPro

Boxing Helena

  • 1993
  • 12
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
4.8/10
14K
YOUR RATING
Sherilyn Fenn and Julian Sands in Boxing Helena (1993)
text os
Play trailer1:41
1 Video
89 Photos
Erotic ThrillerDramaMysteryRomanceThriller

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.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.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
  • Writers
    • Philippe Caland
    • Jennifer Lynch
  • Stars
    • Julian Sands
    • Sherilyn Fenn
    • Bill Paxton
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.8/10
    14K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jennifer Lynch
    • Writers
      • Philippe Caland
      • Jennifer Lynch
    • Stars
      • Julian Sands
      • Sherilyn Fenn
      • Bill Paxton
    • 138User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
    • 25Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Boxing Helena
    Trailer 1:41
    Boxing Helena

    Photos89

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    Top cast20

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    Julian Sands
    Julian Sands
    • Dr. Nick Cavanaugh
    Sherilyn Fenn
    Sherilyn Fenn
    • Helena
    Bill Paxton
    Bill Paxton
    • Ray O'Malley
    Kurtwood Smith
    Kurtwood Smith
    • Dr. Alan Harrison
    Art Garfunkel
    Art Garfunkel
    • Dr. Lawrence Augustine
    Betsy Clark
    • Anne Garrett
    Nicolette Scorsese
    Nicolette Scorsese
    • Fantasy Lover…
    Meg Register
    • Marion Cavanaugh
    Bryan Travis Smith
    Bryan Travis Smith
    • Russell
    • (as Bryan Smith)
    Marla Levine
    • Patricia
    Kim Lentz
    • Nurse Diane
    Lloyd T. Williams
    • Sam the Clerk
    Carl Mazzocone Sr.
    Carl Mazzocone Sr.
    • Pastor
    Erik Shoaff
    • Uncle Charlie
    Lisa Oz
    Lisa Oz
    • Flower Shop Girl
    Ted Manson
    Ted Manson
    • Mailman
    Adele K. Schaeffer
    • Flashback Party Woman #1
    Amy Levin
    • Flashback Party Woman #2
    • Director
      • Jennifer Lynch
    • Writers
      • Philippe Caland
      • Jennifer Lynch
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews138

    4.813.6K
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    Featured reviews

    6gavin6942

    Not the Bomb it Seems to Be

    A surgeon (Julian Sands) becomes obsessed with the seductive woman (Sherilyn Fenn) 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.

    After receiving an NC-17 rating by the MPAA, the film was given an R-rating on appeal and released in the United States in September 1993, but received critical backlash and was a financial failure. Gene Siskel was one of the film's few defenders, writing, "I went to the theater to see it expecting the worst," and he called it, "a brave little movie that explored the provocative issue of how some frustrated men channel their inability to love a woman into cruelty." Genre fans might like it, because of the familiar faces -- Sands, Fenn and Bill Paxton. It does suffer from having no one really likable in the plot, and a few twists that may not sit well with some people.
    7paul_m_haakonsen

    Wicked

    This thriller is one of a kind. The story is compelling and interesting.

    "Boxing Helena" will lure you in, and once you are caught, cut off your limbs. This is a thriller with lots of depth and detail.

    The characters are interesting and well cut out. Each bringing lots to the story, and you can immerse yourself in the characters, because they are so well brought to life. Of course, the cast have a lot to do with this as well, and the casting was perfect for each role. The scenery in the movie works well, because it has that touch of personal space to it. It is not scary or dark sets, and it works well for the movie.

    The movie is not a gory or really scary one, but it will keep you thrilled with its sense of psychological dread. The story goes forward at a constant flow, never leaving you bored.

    "Boxing Helena" leaves you with something to ponder about once it has ended, and I like that in a movie, that means you actually got something for your money. I recommend that you give this movie a chance if you like a movie with some depth.
    emma_larkin

    Positive review

    This is an hypnotic, powerful tale of obsession and eroticism. Sherilyn Fenn is wonderful as Helena and gives a performance way beyond the cherry-sucking antics of Twin Peaks. Despite the torture inflicted on Helena, Fenn's portrayal never allows you to feel abject horror, as her Helena remains caustic, tough and impossible to break throughout the film. Julian Sands is good, although he maybe over-eggs the pudding a bit in some of the more gruelling scenes. The first sight of Helena propped up in bed without legs is never forgotten and the special effects make her amputations incredibly realistic. It's just a shame that the ending is such an appalling cop-out, sanitised for viewers who couldn't accept that love and need can blossom in the sickest of circumstances. In fact, I felt tears of frustration well up at the ending because I felt so cheated! If only it had been braver, this would have been a film of groundbreaking proportions. Fenn is great though and acts the hell out of Kim Basinger, the original choice. Watch it but don't build yourself up for the ending.
    damnfine

    Silly yes, but brilliant.

    The reason this film was so despised by critics is because they believe that all films graphic and disturbing in content should be taken seriously. Not so. Julian Sands creates a truly despicable character here, and the more we hate him, the higher the testament to his performance. Easily the best of his career. Sherilyn Fenn, the finest actress of her generation, is only slightly more sympathetic in the titular role, and only because of what happens to her! About the Basinger controversy? I'll never understand that. Fenn is ten times more beautiful and infinitely more talented. A hilariously sick, visually stunning, highly entertaining film.
    9Bored_Dragon

    Am I disturbed for loving this movie?

    As a teenager, I caught this movie partially on TV, and, not knowing its name, for years I was searching for it to watch it properly. A few years ago I accidentally bumped into it on some list of the most controversial films of all time, recognized it, and finally got it. The years of waiting paid off - I was thrilled.

    I do not want to go into the particular story because I can not do it without spoilers. I will only say that this is convincingly the most morbid love drama I've ever seen, which at the same time provokes fascination and repulsion. In some instances I was sympathetic with the psychopath, in the other with the victim, while at the moments I was wondering who was actually crazier. The first choice for the role of Helena was Madonna, but the contract was then signed with Kim Basinger. Kim gave up in the last minute, she was sued for nine million dollars, and the leading role went to fantastic Sherilyn Fenn, who perfectly portrayed the role of an arrogant "ice-queen", so cold-blooded that even in this extreme situation I could not unreservedly sympathize with her. Maybe I'm too subjective, because of her role in the series "Twin Peaks" and my fascination with this film, but I really think that with Kim this would be a complete failure.

    Something disturbed like this can not come from a normal mind. As apple does not fall far from the tree, it is hardly surprising that the script was written by the then nineteen-year-old daughter of David Lynch. A few years later, Jennifer directed the film and won Razzie Award for the Worst Director. Besides the award for the worst directing, there is a rating of 4.6 on IMDb, Metascore 26 and 18% on Rotten Tomatoes. But when you put it all on one pan of scales, and then Sherilyn Fenn climbs on the other side...

    9/10

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Kim Basinger pulled out of the title role and was successfully sued for $9 million for violation of a verbal contract. Because of this, she was forced to declare bankruptcy. The award was overturned on appeal, and the case was settled out of court.
    • Goofs
      Helena's black dress changes specifically when she is walking through the fountain in her undergarments, as it is impossible for the black dress she wears in all other scenes of Nick's party to conceal the particular underclothing.
    • Quotes

      Helena: A woman is something soft; something warm when you feel her. When she's naked. When she's touched. Discovered. You see that things happen inside of her. She opens up. Sometimes a woman is sad. Sometimes she's angry. Helpless. Beautiful. Sometimes she's strong. She's still only that one woman. Talk to her - in deep whispers. Tell her what you're doing, what you see. Move slowly. Tell her you're inside of her. Tell her how it feels. Touch her. Use your tongue. Your breath. When she's about to come, she'll grab for you. But don't let her come. Make her wait. Tease her. Play with her. Make her feel. She may touch herself. She's so sensitive now. You can't be afraid. Take her. Take her.

    • Alternate versions
      This film originally was 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, there is a view of most of Helena's butt in her thong underwear; Helena removing Ray's pants where and part of his bare butt is seen; Ray kissing up Helena's body where and one of her breasts is seen; 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Blue Chips/Midnight Cowboy/Reality Bites/The Critic/The Scent of Green Papaya (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
      Performed by Cab Calloway

      Written by Russ Morgan (as R. Morgan), Larry Stock (as L. Stock), James Cavanaugh (as J. Cavanaugh)

      Courtesy of LaserLight Digital

      By Arrangement with Sounds of Film

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Boxing Helena?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 11, 1993 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MGM
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mi obsesión por Helena
    • Filming locations
      • 801 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Buckhead, Georgia, USA(Nick Cavanaugh's house)
    • Production company
      • Mainline Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,796,389
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $787,724
      • Sep 6, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,796,389
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 47m(107 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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