Law Of Desire Reviews

Very watchable

This is very black comedy, a tragic, erotic thriller.

Love, lust, desire...lies, obsession and jealousy...a volatile mix, with inevitable, tragic consequences.

I enjoyed the film. The characters are human: unpredictable, passionate, capable of tenderness or cruelty. Carmen Maura is excellent and it's worth watching for young Antonio Banderas making the most of his part.

It was made in 1987 but doesn?t seem particularly dated, hairstyles apart. There?s a 60s feel.

With a moody soundtrack the film celebrates life and love, in all its manifestations.

Cupid keeps missing

Anyone familiar with Almodovar-Land will spot the Spaniard's narrative trademarks within a few minutes of this film's bold start.

Director Pablo and his lover, Juan, decide to put their relationship on hold for a while, to give the latter time to work out exactly what his feelings are. In comes Antonio, a frustrated, obsessive young man who wants to possess everything belonging to Pablo. Also in the picture is Pablo's sister, Tina, who actually started life as Pablo's brother and currently has a problem sustaining a relationship with a man.

Confused? Well, for once, you won't be, because Almodovar's skills (particularly when it comes to choosing music!) ensure these unlikely events almost always manage to stay on the right side of the credibility line.

Equally helpful are the performances, which turn what could have been a gallery of grotesques to an absorbing collection of flawed, well-intentioned humanity. Unfortunately, there is the odd moment when chance and coincidence are used a little too liberally (cue: amnesia as handy plot device) but an Almodovar film would be disappointing if it didn't ride on the very edges of reality.

While this is nowhere near the director's best, Law Of Desire provides an interesting examination of people fated never to meet anyone with whom they can share mutual passions.

First draft of Bad Education

Why is it that Alodovar?s thrillers are so disappointing? I mean, I enjoy them, but like Live Flesh (another stinker from one of the world?s greatest living film-makers) this is intelligent (sort of), funny and humane, but it just doesn?t satisfy in the way that Talk to Her or All About my Mother do, nor does it crackle with the same sort of energy as Kika or Pepi, Luci and Bom.

Fans of last year?s vastly superior Bad Education will be interested to hear that it reworks elements of Laws of Desire. Both plots revolve around a hedonistic film director and the creepy stalker he is unable to resist (a young Antonio Banderas this time around). Another plus is that Carmen Maura is also on hand and provides most of the films best moments as well as its most surprising twist. I have to say though, the gay porn spoof in the opening sequence is one of the most hilarious things I've seen in a while...

Good for Seekers of Gay Theme Movies

If you are looking for good gay movies then you might enjoy this one. It is rather dated now, with very 80s hair and clothes, but the gay theme is central to the plot. Banderas has proved that straight actors can do gay movies and still retain their careers. In this he plays a young fan losing both his virginity and his sanity to his obsession over a film director. Some very nice kissing, good enough plot to almost stand without the gay interest. Well worth seeing.

Is this really Almodovar?

This film may have been the dogs bollocks at it's time, but now it looks disturbingly dated and amateurish. Luckily, Almodovar moved on to make some masterpieces, so should we. Lock this one away and never look back.

Sexy Spanish Heat...

This is not a Comedy at all but a gay thriller. Antonio Banderas takes a Glenn Close's Fatal Attraction role and delivers a good acting. Sad ending tho...

[Highly rated reviewer]

Into the gay ghetto we go

Yes, this may be the film with which Pedro A entered the mainstream, but we may be grateful that the rather dirty goings on were only on our screens and not in our flats or houses. Ms Maura, however, was wonderful amongst the tawdry gay promiscuity, drug taking and movie careerism. The best we can say is that this director has got better and better as his career has progressed - viva 'Volver' almost 20 years on - incredible.

Almodovar at his best!!

You must remember this is a typical Almodovar from the 80s...For the rest is very funny and as always with a bit of drama and sadness behind the curtain. Perhaps very gay for some, with ayoung Almodovar playing the part rather to well Melanie???

Great story

Great movie

[Highly rated reviewer]

Brilliant!

A must for all Almodovar fans as one of his greatest movies. Antonio Banderas is incredible in this and this movie had a huge effect on me as a young gay teenager still in the closet. It was just incredibly moving when I first saw it and I loved it. Haven't seen it recently but hope it stands the test of time.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Excellent introduction to Almodovar

This film and 'Matador' (released the year before) are the two films you should see if you want to see the essence of Spain's quirkiest director, Pedro Almodovar. Antonio Banderas gives a stunning pre-fame turn as cold Eusebio Poncela's clingy lover and Carmen Maura torches the screen as the transsexual sister, Tina. An outrageous script, pretty explicit sex and eye-burning colours make this film a hoot to watch from beginning to end. Watch out for Maura's performance in the play-within-a-play scene - you don't need to read the subtitles to understand the emotion expressed there!