50
It's a movie that's too naive to be pornography and too callous to be art. [25 May 1990]
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
80
Almodovar consolidated his status as a challenging and bold filmmaker by forcing Americans to drop their zany preconceptions of him and see his world through his eyes.
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) by Jay Scott
In terms of psychology, it's an abysmal failure, too real to be symbolic, too symbolic to be realistic. [25 May 1990]
10
Chicago Reader by Jonathan Rosenbaum
An offensive premise and a pathetic, almost pleading desire to outrage our sensibilities with it.
67
Entertainment Weekly by Owen Gleiberman
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! is seamlessly crafted yet too self-conscious to be much fun.
80
Los Angeles Times by Peter Rainer
There's a hushed, rapturous quality to its best parts, though, and the emotional interplay between Ricky and Marina has a scary immediacy that the movies rarely achieve. Almodovar dares a lot in this film. [4 May 1990]
63
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
The movie is too flighty and uncentered, and it allows actual violence to break the spell when false alarms would have sufficed.
60
The New York Times by Vincent Canby
Mr. Almodovar's comic invention runs out too soon, leaving the audience to giggle weakly in anticipation of the big laughs and disorienting shocks that never arrive.