The narrative centers on Ricky (Antonio Banderas), a psychiatric patient recently released from a mental institution. He is determined to start a normal life, specifically by marrying Marina Osorio (Victoria Abril), a former porn star and current B-movie actress with whom he had a brief encounter a year prior. Ricky’s method of courtship, however, is far from conventional; he kidnaps Marina and ties her to her bed, insisting that she will fall in love with him if she gives him a chance.