Live Flesh
Seen it?1997 | 103 min | Drama, Romance, Thriller
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (81% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 5 times its budget, despite little lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and romantics. If you loved Mona Lisa, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect drug use and sex.
- It's in Spanish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
When Victor attempts to seduce Elena, all he gets for his trouble is a one-way, six-year ticket to prison, where he concentrates on strengthening his mind, his body... and his desire for vengeance on the man who put him there. After his release and still madly in love with her, Victor will stop at nothing to win her over even if means revenge, for Elena has married David, the cop who sent him to prison!
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 BAFTA: Best Film Not in the English Language.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$5 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 40K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
- Javier BardemDavid de Paz
- Francesca NeriElena Bernadetti
- Liberto RabalVíctor Plaza
- Ángela MolinaClara
- José SanchoSancho
- Penélope CruzIsabel Plaza Caballero
- Pilar BardemDoña Centro de Mesa
- Álex AnguloBus Driver
- Mariola FuentesClementina
- Yael BeChica