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Boxing Helena

  • 19931993
  • RR
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
4.7/10
12K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,769
2,175
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Sherilyn Fenn and Julian Sands in Boxing Helena (1993)
text os
Play trailer1:41
1 Video
29 Photos
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Romance

A surgeon becomes obsessed with the seductive woman he once was in an affair with. Refusing to accept that she has moved on, he amputates her limbs and holds her captive in his mansion.A surgeon becomes obsessed with the seductive woman he once was in an affair with. Refusing to accept that she has moved on, he amputates her limbs and holds her captive in his mansion.A surgeon becomes obsessed with the seductive woman he once was in an affair with. Refusing to accept that she has moved on, he amputates her limbs and holds her captive in his mansion.

IMDb RATING
4.7/10
12K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,769
2,175
  • Director
    • Jennifer Lynch
  • Writers
    • Philippe Caland(story)
    • Jennifer Lynch(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Julian Sands
    • Sherilyn Fenn
    • Bill Paxton
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jennifer Lynch
  • Writers
    • Philippe Caland(story)
    • Jennifer Lynch(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Julian Sands
    • Sherilyn Fenn
    • Bill Paxton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 133User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
    • 26Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Boxing Helena
    Trailer 1:41
    Boxing Helena

    Photos29

    Boxing Helena (1993)
    Boxing Helena (1993)
    Boxing Helena (1993)
    Sherilyn Fenn and Julian Sands in Boxing Helena (1993)
    Sherilyn Fenn and Julian Sands in Boxing Helena (1993)
    Sherilyn Fenn and Julian Sands in Boxing Helena (1993)
    Sherilyn Fenn in Boxing Helena (1993)
    Sherilyn Fenn and Julian Sands in Boxing Helena (1993)
    Sherilyn Fenn in Boxing Helena (1993)
    Sherilyn Fenn and Julian Sands in Boxing Helena (1993)
    Sherilyn Fenn in Boxing Helena (1993)
    Sherilyn Fenn in Boxing Helena (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Julian Sands
    Julian Sands
    • Dr. Nick Cavanaughas Dr. Nick Cavanaugh
    Sherilyn Fenn
    Sherilyn Fenn
    • Helenaas Helena
    Bill Paxton
    Bill Paxton
    • Ray O'Malleyas Ray O'Malley
    Kurtwood Smith
    Kurtwood Smith
    • Dr. Alan Harrisonas Dr. Alan Harrison
    Art Garfunkel
    Art Garfunkel
    • Dr. Lawrence Augustineas Dr. Lawrence Augustine
    Betsy Clark
    • Anne Garrettas Anne Garrett
    Nicolette Scorsese
    Nicolette Scorsese
    • Fantasy Loveras Fantasy Lover…
    Meg Register
    • Marion Cavanaughas Marion Cavanaugh
    Bryan Smith
    • Russellas Russell
    Marla Levine
    • Patriciaas Patricia
    Kim Lentz
    • Nurse Dianeas Nurse Diane
    Lloyd T. Williams
    • Sam the Clerkas Sam the Clerk
    Carl Mazzocone Sr.
    Carl Mazzocone Sr.
    • Pastoras Pastor
    Erik Shoaff
    • Uncle Charlieas Uncle Charlie
    Lisa Oz
    • Flower Shop Girlas Flower Shop Girl
    Ted Manson
    Ted Manson
    • Mailmanas Mailman
    Adele K. Schaeffer
    • Flashback Party Woman #1as Flashback Party Woman #1
    Amy Levin
    • Flashback Party Woman #2as Flashback Party Woman #2
    • Director
      • Jennifer Lynch
    • Writers
      • Philippe Caland(story)
      • Jennifer Lynch(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A top surgeon is besotted with a beautiful woman who once ditched him. Unable to come to terms with life without her, he tries to convince her that they need each other. She has other ideas, but a horrific accident leaves her at his mercy. The plot is bizarre and perhaps sick at times, ending abruptly and with a twist. —Rob Hartill
    • obsessive love
    • captive woman
    • unrequited love
    • obsession
    • bare chested male
    • 108 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Beyond love, beyond obsession, there hides something beyond reason.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Romance
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R on appeal for two scenes of strong sexuality and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Kim Basinger pulled out of the title role, and was successfully sued for $9 million for violation of a verbal contract. Because of this she forced to declare bankruptcy. The award was overturned on appeal, and the case was settled out of court.
    • Goofs
      Helena's black dress changes specifically when she is walking through the fountain in her undergarments, as it is impossible for the black dress she wears in all other scenes of Nick's party to conceal the particular underclothing.
    • Quotes

      Helena: A woman is something soft; something warm when you feel her. When she's naked. When she's touched. Discovered. You see that things happen inside of her. She opens up. Sometimes a woman is sad. Sometimes she's angry. Helpless. Beautiful. Sometimes she's strong. She's still only that one woman. Talk to her - in deep whispers. Tell her what you're doing, what you see. Move slowly. Tell her you're inside of her. Tell her how it feels. Touch her. Use your tongue. Your breath. When she's about to come, she'll grab for you. But don't let her come. Make her wait. Tease her. Play with her. Make her feel. She may touch herself. She's so sensitive now. You can't be afraid. Take her. Take her.

    • Alternate versions
      "Boxing Helena" was originally rated "NC-17" by the MPAA. The DVD contains 1 minute of sexually explicit footage that had to be cut for the "R" rating. The cut footage in the UNRATED DVD version is as follows:
      • When Nick fantasizes about Helena and Ray having sex we see a shot of most of Helena's butt in her thong underwear; Helena removing Ray's pants where we see part of his bare butt; Ray kissing up Helena's body where we see one of her breasts; and finally one last shot that shows Helena's breasts very briefly.
      • During Nick's sex scene with the fantasy woman while Helena watches, extra footage includes a scene with Nick behind the woman, then a shot of him thrusting into her, followed by several views of the woman's bare breasts.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Blue Chips/Midnight Cowboy/Reality Bites/The Critic/The Scent of Green Papaya (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
      Performed by Cab Calloway
      Written by Russ Morgan (as R. Morgan), Larry Stock (as L. Stock), James Cavanaugh (as J. Cavanaugh)
      Courtesy of LaserLight Digital
      By Arrangement with Sounds of Film

    User reviews133

    Review
    Top review
    Silly yes, but brilliant.
    The reason this film was so despised by critics is because they believe that all films graphic and disturbing in content should be taken seriously. Not so. Julian Sands creates a truly despicable character here, and the more we hate him, the higher the testament to his performance. Easily the best of his career. Sherilyn Fenn, the finest actress of her generation, is only slightly more sympathetic in the titular role, and only because of what happens to her! About the Basinger controversy? I'll never understand that. Fenn is ten times more beautiful and infinitely more talented. A hilariously sick, visually stunning, highly entertaining film.
    helpful•11
    3
    • damnfine
    • Mar 1, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 3, 1993 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MGM
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Boxing Hanna
    • Filming locations
      • Atlanta, Georgia, USA
    • Production company
      • Mainline Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,796,389
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $787,724
      • Sep 6, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,796,389
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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