Tie Me up! Tie me Down!
by
Pedro Almodóvar
The story follows Ricky, a psychopath who has just been released from a metal institution. He remembers a girl he used to date and decides to find her, tie her to bed so she'll get to know him. But the girl, Marina, happens to be a porn start. Ricky tracks her down in the studio she's being filmed. Despite failing to catch her attention, our hero goes to her apartment and brakes into. He carries out his simple plan- ties Marina to the bed, tells her they are going to get married, but doesn't force her to sleep with him. Of course the heroine is slightly addicted and has an unbearable toothache. This is the type of situation where Ricky can stand out as a reliable boyfriend and proves he can find her drugs. Not surprisingly, these 2 charming characters fall in love little by little. Filled with hysterical, comic and bizarre settings, Tie me up! Tie me down is an extreme pleasure to watch. The screenplay, original to the roots, is the type of charismatic Spanish fiction that can be easily bought into for reality.
This is also Antonio Banderas' ticket to Hollywood, but to be fair, I prefer him in his Spanish films. The charm and danger he usually portrays is somehow lost in every American film I've ever seen him in. It also has to be pointed out that the intimate scene of Ricky and Marina is absolutely hilarious. The director has managed to prolong it by also putting some entertaining dialogue. I recently finished a book on Almodovar, and I must say his plots are crazy, as well as enormously entertaining. All his characters are bright and vivid, full of passion and flaws. As a contemporary storyteller he makes a wonderful use of gestures, characters' appearance and hair, their quarrels and make-up.
2 comments:
There are those who see Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down - as the film was titled in English - as being deeply sexist and offensive. How do you feel about that?
While watching the film, it did not occur to me even for a minute that it is sexist or offensive. I think the plot is exaggerated just to create a more interesting world for the characters. I see why people would consider tying a woman to the bed as a wrong thing to do. But when presenting the viewer with such extraordinary circumstances, it is easier to believe and forgive an otherwise criminal act.
Moreover, the male character is set up as quite likable, with very simple intentions and goals. He puts an effort to take care of the heroine, even if that means getting beaten black and blue in order to supply her with drugs. Furthermore, he proves he can be relied on and wins her sympathy.
After all, it is vital to establish the characters- the story is about a seeming psychopath and a porn actress. The fact that at the end she chooses to find him and start a life together could only soften the harsh, but enthralling circumstances in which they meet.
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