''Take My Eyes'' () is a 2003 Spanish

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

film directed and co-written by

Icíar Bollaín Icíar Bollaín Pérez-Mínguez (born 12 June 1967) is a Spanish filmmaker and actress. She is best known for directing '' Te Doy Mis Ojos'' (''Take My Eyes''), which won 7 Goya Awards. Bollaín has won other awards for acting and script-writing ...

, starring

Laia Marull Laia Marull Quintana (born 4 January 1973) is a Spanish actress. She has won three Goya Awards — Best New Actress for ''Fugitives'' (2000), Best Actress for '' Take My Eyes'' (2003), and Best Supporting Actress for ''Black Bread'' (2010). ...

and

Luis Tosar Luis López Tosar (born 13 October 1971) is a Spanish actor from Galicia. He is one of the most recognizable and versatile actors in Spain. He landed his film debut in '' Atilano for President'' (1998), followed by other roles in feature fil ...

. Critically acclaimed for its unclichéd treatment of domestic violence, it won seven

Goya Awards The Goya Awards () are Spain's main national annual film awards. They are presented by the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain. The first ceremony was held in 1987, a year after the founding of the Academy of Cinematographic Ar ...

in 2004, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. Shooting locations included

Toledo Toledo most commonly refers to: * Toledo, Spain, a city in Spain * Province of Toledo, Spain * Toledo, Ohio, a city in the United States Toledo may also refer to: Places Belize * Toledo District * Toledo Settlement Bolivia * Toledo, Or ...

Plot

Pilar, a meek housewife living in

, gathers a few belongings one night and flees her apartment with her seven-year-old son, Juan. They find shelter with Pilar's sister, Ana, who is to marry her Scottish live-in boyfriend. Pilar's husband, Antonio, tries to make her change her mind, but she is tired and fearful due to his abusive behavior. Determined to start a new life on her own, Pilar sends her sister to retrieve her belongings from the apartment she shared with Antonio. Once there, Ana discovers through medical bills that her sister has been physically abused by Antonio. When he arrives, Ana confronts him. Trying to bring Pilar back, Antonio joins an anger management group for married men. With her sister's encouragement, Pilar finds a job in the gift shop of a local tourist attraction, where Ana also works restoring paintings. Pilar begins to study in order to become a tour guide. Despite Ana's protests, her mother Aurora invites Antonio to Juan's birthday party. Pilar still has feelings towards Antonio despite his abusive behavior. Juan misses his father and Pilar begins to soften her attitude towards her husband. When they have a chance to talk, Antonio tells her he wants to change and is enrolled in group therapy. Pilar soon warms up to him again, and they begin to sneak out for secret meetings and romantic encounters. Pilar, with the full support of her mother, takes Antonio to Ana's wedding. The two sisters argue after Pilar tells Ana that she is going back to her husband. At first, Pilar and Antonio seem happy together. Encouraged by his wife, Antonio continues with his anger management therapy. However, he feels threatened by Pilar's economic independence, as she continues to work in the gift shop. Pilar applies for a job as a tour guide in a museum in Madrid. They would have to leave Toledo and live in Madrid, but Antonio is afraid to move, fearing it would be difficult for him to find an equivalent level of job in Madrid. Pilar's efforts to convince him that if she gets the job and they move to Madrid it would be beneficial fall on deaf ears. The day of her job interview, as a coworker is waiting for her outside the flat to take her there, Antonio explodes in anger. He tears off Pilar's clothes and locks her stark naked in the balcony for all the neighbors to see. After this humiliation, Pilar threatens to leave Antonio, who responds by attempting suicide by cutting. After this final assault, Pilar leaves Antonio for good.

Cast

Reception

Critics praised it for its internal conflict and mature depiction of domestic violence.

Accolades

, - , rowspan = "12" align = "center" , 2004 , , rowspan = "9" ,

18th Goya Awards The 18th Goya Awards took place at the Palacio Municipal de Congresos in Madrid on 31 January 2004. The gala was hosted by Cayetana Guillén Cuervo and Diego Luna Diego Dionisio Luna Alexander (; born 29 December 1979) is a Mexican actor, ...

, , colspan = "2" ,

Best Film The following is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various films, festivals, and people's awards. Best Actor/Best Actress *See Best Actor#Film awards, Bes ...

, , , , rowspan = "9" , , - ,

Best Director Best Director is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organizations, festivals, and people's awards. It may refer to: Film awards * AACTA Award for Best Direction * Academy Award for Best Director * As ...

, , Iciar Bollain , , , - ,

Best Original Screenplay The Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay is the Academy Award (also known as an Oscar) for the best screenplay not based upon previously published material. It was created in 1940 as a separate writing award from the Academy Award for Best ...

, , Iciar Bollain, Alicia Luna , , , - , Best Actor , , Luis Tosar , , , - ,

Best Actress Best Actress is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organisations, festivals, and people's awards to leading actresses in a film, television series, television film or play. The first Best Actress award ...

, , Laia Marull , , , - , Best Supporting Actress , , Candela Peña , , , - , Best New Actress , , Elisabet Gelabert , , , - ,

Best Sound The following is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various films, festivals, and people's awards. Best Actor/Best Actress *See Best Actor#Film awards, Bes ...

, , Eva Valiño, Pelayo Gutiérrez, Alfonso Pino, José Luis Crespo , , , - , Best Editing , , Ángel Hernández Zoido , , , - , rowspan = "3" ,

13th Actors and Actresses Union Awards The 13th Actors and Actresses Union Awards ceremony was held on 11 May 2004 at Madrid's Hotel Auditorium. Written by Luis Iborra and Antonio Albert, it was hosted by , and Mariola Fuentes. In addition to the competitive awards, obtained the '' ...

, , Best Film Actress in a Leading Role , , Laia Marull , , , , rowspan = "3" , , - , Best Film Actor in a Leading Role , , Luis Tosar , , , - , Best Film Actress in a Secondary Role , , Candela Peña , , , - , align = "center" , 2005 , , 47th Ariel Awards , , colspan = "2" , Best Ibero-American Film , , , ,

References

External links