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Javier Bardem, Francesca Neri, Liberto Rabal, Ángela Molina, José Sancho ... see more see more... , Penelope Cruz , Pilar Bardem , Álex Angulo

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 Span... read more read more...ish 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 de La Cruz (1955) while waiting for the arrival of her heroin dealer, and she buzzes Victor (Liberto Rabal) (with whom she made a date, then forgot about him) into the building. In the confusion that follows, two cops, David (Javier Bardem) and Sancho (Jose Sancho) arrive, and a gun goes off. The story then makes another leap to four years later: Victor is in prison, while Elena, no longer on drugs, runs a disadvantaged children's shelter and is married to wheelchair-bound David. After his release, Victor visits his mother's grave and spots David and Elena at the cemetery -- where David meets philandering wife Clara (Angela Molina). Fate interweaves the tangled interrelationships of all into a complex tapestry of destiny and guilt. Shown at 1997 London and New York film festivals. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

86% liked it

12,740 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

39 critics

R, 2 hr.

Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar

Release Date: January 16, 1998

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DVD Release Date: April 10, 2001

Stats: 601 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (601)

  • itsjustme2004
    April 12, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    Javier Bardem, and Liberto Rabal, are easy on the eyes and make the movie worth watching. It's a mildly interesting story, somewhat predictable, and with its fair share of slow moments. And as is so often the case in Almodovar movies, the intense connection between characters is ... read moreshown through melodrama...not character development. If you are a fan of Almodovar, you will enjoy this. I, apparently, am not really a fan. I don't think that I have really liked any of his movies too much.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 15, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Life, love, desire...and everything in between.
  • ceWEBrity
    December 2, 2009
    ceWEBrity
    I've only seen three other Almodovar movies and they all impressed me immensely, but Live Flesh is sort of a dud. The last thing I would call this, contrary to its Flixster page, is "restrained"; those telenovela moments that Almodovar is so good at concocting are pretty much the... read more only thing keeping this movie alive. There are plenty of hysterical dramatic highlights, like a birth on a bus, an unhappy lover bombarding her husband with hairspray, a shootout in an apartment, and a terrifically bloody climax. The rest of the movie is inert and dramatically unchallenging, trying to bill itself as subdued, but let's call a spade a spade here. This is a prototype for Almodovar's later formula - a fusion of campy melodrama and quiet human introspection - but despite some strong ideas, this overarching story isn't strong enough to sustain said formula. It's too simple and sort of random; none of the characters seem to behave with much thought.

    I dunno, I'm not too coherent about this one but I really didn't care for it. Maybe it's me.
  • binky013
    November 18, 2009
    binky013
    The more I see of Bardem, the more I like him. Given that my first notice of him came via No Country for Old Men -- which you must see for his performance in that one -- I grow more and more to appreciate what an amazing range he has. This film too, like In Bruges... read more, is a kind of fairy tale, albeit not one you would read to your kiddies at bedtime. A great cast brings a very intricate story of love, revenge, and redemption to beautiful fruition, and I'm getting to appreciate Penélope Cruz more and more in all kinds of ways : ) Oh yeah, baby!
  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    My first Pedro Almodovar film. Also my first Javier Bardem. Both have got me hooked!
  • flixsterman
    August 12, 2009
    flixsterman
    Arguably one of his more conservative efforts, Live Flesh still remains true to the Pedro Almodóvar form. Like a magician plucking a rabbit out of his hat, Pedro finds tenderness and romance in some very dark & unromantic places. And, if you've only seen Javier Bardem in... read more No Country For Old Men, check your preconceptions at the door.
  • 76Majikat
    December 13, 2008
    76Majikat
    Another enjoyable film from Almodovar. A story of betrayal, love and revenge, with some great characters.
  • kiriyamakazou
    November 12, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    I haven't been this captivated by a film in a while. Literally didn't take my eyes off the screen for the entire running time. It seems shorter than it actually is. The films strength is the fact is doesn't follow a typical story, instead it follows people and their pasts and pre... read moresents. The film shows the dangers of passion and how it can turn into obsession and then madness, but at the same time shows these themes in a very circular narrative where madness becomes obsession and back into passion. The twists and turns are very unexpected and as such revelations about characters can make you feel betrayed like the characters in the film itself. The film also details how chance events and coincidences can shape our lives and some mistakes can't be forgotten. Bardem is incredible and Neri is captivating in both her looks and performance. Spectacular just about describes this film.
  • RCCLBC
    March 14, 2008
    RCCLBC
    More complicated quirky love, Almadovar style.

    Also my introduction to the great Javier Bardem.
  • fernandorafael
    January 24, 2008
    fernandorafael
    Finally, I got the chance to see CARNE TREMULA, by one of my favorite directors, PEDRO ALMODOVAR. It's a fantastic drama/erotic thriller, with great writing and directing, gorgeous color and terrific music. The best performances are by the guys: JAVIER BARDEM and Liberto Rabal. T... read morehe other members of the cast are just OK: Francesca Neri, Angela Molina and José Sancho. Special appearance by Penélope Cruz.

View All Live Flesh (Carne trémula) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Liam Lacey
April 12, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The overall purpose of Live Flesh, the latest and reputedly most 'mature' work from Spanish bad-boy director Pedro Almodovar, remains engigmatic. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Almodovar, whose work here has newly sophisticated polish, appreciates the dark twists of this story along with the eroticism that bring heat to all the scheming. Full Review

David Denby
January 1, 2000
David Denby, New York Magazine

Despite his erotic fixations, Pedro Almodóvar is the cinema's last true innocent. Full Review

Charles Taylor
January 1, 2000
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

I can only conclude that the people who think Flower and Live Flesh represent the new, mature Almodóvar think that his earlier pictures were immature. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Like the gorgeous cinematography (which is used to good effect to eroticize a sex scene), this is all part of Almodovar's stylistic package. Never has it been more impressive than here, where everythi... Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

This is the first Almodovar movie that could be called boring. Full Review

Louis B. Parks
January 1, 2000
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle

Almodovar seems more assured here, confident that he can interest us without overt winking and tomfoolery.

David Noh
July 13, 2007
David Noh, Film Journal International

The film also feels curiously underpopulated, unenlivened by any sparky character bits. Full Review

Ken Hanke
October 11, 2006
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Very much an Almodovar picture with most of the anticipated outrageous occurrences intact. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
September 23, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

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. Full Review

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