Opened: December 12, 1989

Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar

Starring: Victoria Abril, Antonio Banderas, Loles León, Francisco Rabal, Julieta Serrano, María Barranco & Rossy de Palma

With bright colors filling surrounding this crime of passion, writer-director Pedro Almodóvar creates a piece that interestingly displays the confines of heterosexual love.

Ricky (Antonio Banderas) is released from a mental hospital and goes to find Marina (Victoria Abril). He kidnaps her in her apartment promising to be a good husband to her and father to their future children.

Much of the film is dedicated to interactions between the two leads, which allows the viewer to almost root for Ricky. Banderas portrays a great antihero and in the tender moments, you understand – but won’t agree with – what he’s doing.

The film is a metaphor for relationships and tying each other down – and presumably men tying women down more often. While Stockholm syndrome is prevalent, Almodóvar begs the question of all relationships ending in that.

Final say: An entertaining thought piece. ★★★★☆