Live Flesh
Goldwyn Films | Release Date: January 16, 1998 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
69
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
6
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
New York Magazine (Vulture)David Denby
Live Flesh, the best movie from Almodóvar since that Iberian screwball classic "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown." Read full review
90
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
A richly detailed tale of passion, perfidy and revenge adapted from a typically tricky Ruth Rendell novel. Read full review
90
VarietyLisa Nesselson
Most of all, the satisfyingly cinematic screen adaptation puts motion and energy into a story that was mostly internalized from Victor's perspective in Rendell's book. Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Live Flesh is an effortlessly articulated tragicomedy by Pedro Almodovar, a world-renowned filmmaker at the height of his powers. [30 Jan 1998]
88
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Everything (not just the flesh) is vibrant with life. Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Almodovar is positively mature, adapting a novel by Ruth Rendell so deftly that the plot now also describes the invigorating and sometimes disorienting effects of democracy after long years of repression under the Franco regime. Read full review
80
TimeRichard Corliss
Obsession has seldom looked as gaudy or thrilling as here. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleRussell Smith
Possibly due to the story's origin as a Ruth Rendell novel, this is the most coherent, viewer-friendly narrative he's ever filmed. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Some of the action is as lurid as the title, but passionate performances and ingenious visuals make this the most absorbing movie by Spanish director Almodvar since his great comedy "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown." Read full review
70
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
It's all very clever but not really provocative - though a layer of political subtext may make the scenario seem funnier and more meaningful. Read full review
63
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
The result is undeniably gorgeous, but it's all busy surface, beautiful bodies and ironically absurd plot contrivance, occasionally awkward references to political events in '70s Spain notwithstanding. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Live Flesh is an often surprising assemblage of attractive parts that never seems to earn a full emotional response. [06 feb 1998]
60
SalonCharles Taylor
Live Flesh isn't terrible. It's accomplished and watchable. Read full review
50
Dallas ObserverScott Timberg
It lacks both the shiny surfaces that enlivened the director's earlier films and the depth of character that allows us, in a traditional film, to identify, empathize, or connect psychologically. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
Live Flesh lacks freshness. Read full review
50
San Francisco ExaminerBarbara Shulgasser
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. Read full review
50
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
A soap opera as convoluted as it is overdetermined. [20 Jan 1998]
40
EmpireGiala Murray
The psychological study that is the author's trademark is reduced to superficial and negative motivation - lust, guilt, revenge, escape. Read full review
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