Live Flesh (Carne trémula) (1997)
Average Rating: 7.1/10
Reviews Counted: 39
Fresh: 31 | Rotten: 8
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 7.3/10
Critic Reviews: 11
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 3
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 12,981
Movie Info
This Pedro Almodóvar melodrama examines how several lives are changed by a single gunshot. Adapting the novel Live Flesh by British mystery author Ruth Rendell, Almodóvar has given the material a Spanish makeover with added political thrust. Beginning in 1970 in Franco's Madrid, when a prostitute (Penelope Cruz) gives birth to a son, Victor, the story leaps forward to contemporary Madrid. Wealthy diplomat's daughter Elena (Francesca Neri) is watching Luis Buńuel's The Criminal Life of Archibaldo
Cast
-
Javier Bardem
David -
Francesca Neri
Elena -
Liberto Rabal
Victor -
Ángela Molina
Clara -
José Sancho
Sancho -
Penelope Cruz
Isabelle -
Pilar Bardem
Dona Centro -
Álex Angulo
Bus Driver
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All Critics (47) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (8) | DVD (11)
The overall purpose of Live Flesh, the latest and reputedly most 'mature' work from Spanish bad-boy director Pedro Almodovar, remains engigmatic.
Top CriticAlmodovar seems more assured here, confident that he can interest us without overt winking and tomfoolery.
Despite his erotic fixations, Pedro Almodóvar is the cinema's last true innocent.
The film also feels curiously underpopulated, unenlivened by any sparky character bits.
Very much an Almodovar picture with most of the anticipated outrageous occurrences intact.
Pedro Almodovar has done something nearly unheard of: he has made a wheelchair movie without maudlin sentiment and overbearing importance. Even better, it's actually rather enjoyable.
Another offbeat Almodovar treat - with another compelling Bardem performance.
It is a pleasure to see such a tight work from Amaldovar.
gripping and gorgeous
Witness the increasing promise of Pedro Almodóvar, in a film that has gone largely unnoticed in his career but stands as a worthy and mostly mainstream entry into his unique style of twisted relationship movies.
The film lacks the anarchic weirdness of some of his best, and without the camp elements it becomes obvious just how like a telenovela the goings-on are.
It's an impressive display of range from one of film's true maverick talents.
While despair underlies Almodovar's film...the director attempts to lighten up with some misplaced jokes. These, though, are never any more than a brief respite from the irritating mess in which the characters embroil themselves.
The real trouble with this movie is that it represents the continuing departure of Almodovar from the chaotic, riotous and anti-social roots that gave his best movies their zest.
One wonders why Almodóvar even bothered.
A stylishly steamy tale of passion and revenge.
This film is one of Almodovar's more resolute efforts.
Almodovar has a keen eye with the camera, and this helps keep us interested. His love of coincidence also creates some moments of the unexpected.
Remarkably taut, logical, even well framed, featuring the usual elements which make life worth living: revenge, lust, and guilt and redemption.
Audience Reviews for Live Flesh (Carne trémula)
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Movie: ID: 13737 Title: Live Flesh (Carne trémula) Release Date: 1998-01-16 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 4 Status: 1
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Foreign Titles
- Live Flesh (DE)
- Live Flesh (UK)
