Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!

Duncan Gray

80s Pedro is the best Pedro, because the sheer transgressive, whacky energy made his Z-bend narratives a feature, not a bug. For this one, which may (probably) offend, I'm not sure if it goes too far or if going too far is the point. Virtue #1: a vision of a world where libidos make people do strange things. Virtue #2: contrasting a stalker and a film director obsessed with the same woman but in different ways.

João Biscaia

There was something about this one that didn't quite... made it... there. It has everything an Almodóvar should have, but in the end it felt hollow.

Matthew Martens

A love triangle pitting three auteurs against one another, two of whom are imaginary and therefore beyond hope, a disadvantage that leaves Almodovar all alone dancing a victory lap; unless, of course, you count the company of his prized figment of feminine allure. 3.5. Quintessential Banderiana.

Ricardo Branco

It's a dangerous movie cause it turns obsession into a love story and rape into passionate love making. The ending was perfect and problematic at the same time. "Don't even mention the words porn and junkie."

ramosbarajas

While the beginning is somewhat slow, when it picks up the pace, it becomes really entertaining. Although the story is rather controversial, I feel like it was executed rather well. The cinematography was, as always, perfect. It may not be up there with the rest of the Almodovar canon, but it is really well made.

Adam GR

What a strange, sensual heart. Antonio Banderas is creepily cute, and Victoria Abril earths a cheeky performance. I love this dynamic! How unrealistic. Reminds me of Margaret Atwood's "Rape Fantasies." ¡Átame!

remote-viewer

Coming away from this with the impression that tears betray the happy absurdity we see like those of someone unable to wake from a nightmare, a dream of unsettling passions and burning fears. Sexy and sadistic for sure, and definitely kitschy, always hinting that something is amiss, like some kind of postmodern negative-world where common sense is defeated and we're left confused, aroused, and a little disgusted.

Ben Wheeler

Intuitions of a master: It's always interesting to reach back & watch a great director's early work. Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! holds true to so many fascinating Almodovar themes. The characters remain in his later films, if not by the same name, by obsession, though his later films offer more density. It's sexy. It's sick. It's sadistic. It's Almodovar.