After starring in most of Pedro Almodovar’s earlier movies, Antonio Banderas is making a 21 years comeback under the renowned Spanish director’s command. In The Skin I Live In, Banderas is breaking out the Latin Lover pattern he’s created in Hollywood and is playing a calculating revenge-seeking plastic surgeon following the rape of his daughter.

Labyrinth of Passion (1982), Matador (1986), Law of Desire (1987), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990) are the titles of the movies directed by Almodovar in which Banderas basically built his name and attracted attention furthermore from Hollywood directors. Their collaboration had stagnated for 21 years prior to The Skin That I Live In. Meanwhile, Banderas turned from a minimal-English speaker to a critically acclaimed actor and one of the most recognizable macho symbols in the American film industry. And the apprentice’s new encounter with his mentor comes up to an Almodovar touted as the most internationally acclaimed Spanish filmmaker since Luis Buñuel.

So if you’re anxious about the release and you already want to see some Banderas/Almodovar action, you can go ahead and rent Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, a real gem starring a 30-year old Banderas.

Featured photo from David Shankbone on Flickr.