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Law of Desire (1986)

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Average Rating: 7.4/10
Reviews Counted: 11
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 5,411

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Movie Info

Popular film director Pablo Quintero (Eusebio Poncela) has found a new love in the form of handsome blue-collar Juan (Miguel Molina). Not altogether comfortable with his lifestyle, Juan decides to leave Pablo for a while to contemplate his future. Pablo insists that Juan keep in touch by sending him love letters. Ever the director, he plans to write the letters himself, and have Juan mail them back with his signature. If you think that settles things, you don't know filmmaker Pedro Almodovar.

NC-17, 1 hr. 40 min.

Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

Directed By: Pedro Almod�var

In Theaters: Feb 7, 1987 Wide

On DVD: Dec 8, 2009

Cinevista

What it lacks in depth, 'Law of Desire' makes up in surface energy, with a lively cast, a turbulent plot and a textbook-worthy collection of case histories.

August 30, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

The film bristles with energy and bright interludes before the lugubrious plot takes over...

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

a pivotal and unmissable piece of the Almod�var puzzle, a romp that is Pedro at his young and kinky best.

November 3, 2009 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

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Don Willmott

Filmcritic.com

provocative psychological study about the potential devastating cost of wanton love

January 24, 2007 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews

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John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews Source: Old School Reviews

Almod�var's affection for his characters ... makes his engagingly loopy narrative more than a simple Telemundo-on-acid joke.

May 4, 2005 Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

A bold, daring work that is as shocking and impressive today as it was nearly 20 years ago when it was first released.

March 1, 2004 Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

[A] great film from Spanish director Pedro Alm�dovar's early career...

March 10, 2003 Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle

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Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Law of Desire

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Although I was never truly convinced by the characters, it was mainly down to the writing and not the performances. Maybe I'd overdosed on Almod�var having watched 3 of his films in just a few days but it didn't matter too much as I actually regard this film as one of my favourites of his. It seems like yet another

November 16, 2011

Anthony Lawrie

Super Reviewer

Very interesting and certainly one of the most original ways to tell a story of overly-passionate love, but this lacks the vision of Pedro Almodovar's later work. Most of the acting is fine, Antonio Banderas is clearly the standout star and gives the most effective performance. Where the story really excels is in the

June 14, 2010