There are some movies which will leave a lasting impression, sometimes because they are extremely beautiful and sometimes because they are so shocking that you can’t forget them. The Skin I Live In is one that belongs in the latter category, but is it also worth watching?
Antonio Banderas is Robert Ledgard, a genius when it comes to plastic surgery. He develops a new type of skin which would be much stronger and would actually be able to stop malaria mosquitos from biting. He has a big mansion and in one of the rooms a beautiful woman is held. Why she’s locked in the room is unclear, but we know that Ledgard is working to make her perfect. Is he a perfectionist or just a mad scientist? The first half of the movie makes you wonder about a lot of things and doesn’t give you any answers. It’s only during the second half of the movie that answers start to pop up and slowly this movie manages to keep shocking you as you learn more about Ledgard and his history.
I don’t want to give too much away about this movie, but I will say it’s one of the most shocking movies I’ve seen in a while and it could have easily been made by someone like Park Chan-wook. Banderas gives a very subtle performance, but isn’t the only one who impresses. Elena Anaya is excellent as his subject and Marisa Paredes seems to be a very nice housekeeper called Marilia, but as the movie progresses has a lot more depth. If you are easily shocked I don’t advice to watch this movie, but if you are able to stomach it I’m sure you will be impressed.
Score: 8
Balls I have missed this in the cinema, I will have to wait for a release on BD now.
Looks great though
It still has to come out here, saw it as a preview…you can always hop over š
This is a good review; it’s impressive how little you give away. Have a read at my review,
http://pgtipsonfilms.com/2011/09/14/the-skin-i-live-in-review/
Do you agree?
I always try to spoil as little as I can and if I’m planning to do so I will always say so in advance. Will have a read!
I hate that controvercial films almost never get released theatrically in India. I’ll have to first wait till it comes out on DVD and then wait till I travel before I get to watch it. Nevertheless, I have heard a lot of good stuff about it, so it is on my “watch list” already š
That is a shame, does that have to do with politics?
Not really politics, but we have quite a strong censor board and I know the film is explicit at times. So films like this almost never get a theatrical release.
Eek didn’t realise it was quite so shocking! Someone compared it to the Human Centipede – is it that bad? I’ve heard about the tiger costume scene which sounds a bit odd. I’ve got tickets to see it next Monday as it’s being shown in the independent cinema down the road from me, I’ve been wanting to see it for such a long time! Even more so after your review!
I have never seen that and refuse to see it, but when I think of that movie my first thought is how disgusting that is. This movie is shocking, but I would not compare it to Human Centipede. If I had to compare it, it would probably be more something like Oldboy in how it makes you feel at certain moments.
Loved this one, its got excellent acting and just the right amounts of creepiness.
I loved the fact that it kept all the answers till the end, resulting in a big impact on your own thoughts/feelings of what you have seen.
It seems like a worth watch. Thanks š
If you don’t mind being shocked you really should.