Take My Eyes

Plot

Pilar, a meek housewife living in Toledo, 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 soon to marry her Scottish live-in boyfriend. Pilar's husband, Antonio, tries to make her change her mind, but she is tired and fearful of 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 her estranged husband. Once there, Ana discovers through medical bills that her sister has also been physically abused by Antonio. When he arrives, they have a confrontation.

Antonio still loves his wife, but he cannot control his short temper and violent outbursts. Trying to bring Pilar back, he joins an anger management group of married men who want to change their abusive behavior towards their wives. 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 loves 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. He has to learn to deal with his frustration as a salesman in an appliance store. 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 are happy to be back together. Encouraged by his wife, Antonio continues with his anger management therapy. But, 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 a better 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

The film was highly praised for the emotional truths of its portrayal of domestic violence, and the internal conflicts of the protagonists.

The film won seven Goya Awards in 2004, including Best Picture, Best Director for Bollaín, Best Lead Actor for Tosar, Best Lead Actress for Marull, and Best Supporting Actress for Peña. This film was also nominated for the Ariel Award in 2005 in the category Best Iberoamerican Film.