PEDRO ALMODOVAR
TELLS A SORDID
TALE IN HIS
NEWEST FILM
THE SKIN I LIVE IN
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes
Directed by: Pedro Almodovar
MPAA Rating: R for disturbing violent content including sexual assault, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use and language
Genre: Drama,Bizarre and Art/Foreign
Running Time: 1 hr. 57 min
Opening Date: December 2, 2011
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Classics
By John Delia
This film gets so incredible that it’s perfect for mainstream and fans of the “bizarre†alike. It’s called The Skin I Live In and if you use your imagination and accept it for face value you will be thoroughly entertained. It’s not The Bride of Frankenstein, but revenge has never been sweeter.
The film centers on Dr. Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) an amazing plastic surgeon that looses his wife to a burning car crash because he doesn’t have the proper skin to save her. This event pushes him to develop a synthetic skin that will save lives. Twelve years pass and he comes up with the perfect skin, one that’s impervious to almost anything.
But Ledgard still harbors feelings for the wife he loved and longs for. When his daughter becomes the victim of a rapist, he sets out to take vengeance on the man that’s preposterous yet poetic justice.
Anytime you have Elena Anaya (Point Blank) in a film for the guys and Antonio Banderas (Desperado, Femme Fatale) for the gals you have a recipe for emotion, art and romance. Add a little of the bizarre to the mix and the result is The Skin I Live In a phenomenal story that intrigues and mystifies. Perfectly executed, the movie moves along at a fast clip never lagging or distracting with fillers that don’t work.
Under the direction of Pedro Almodovar (Volver, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down) his characters emit such poignant feelings for their actions that I found myself ‘believing’ the emotional trauma, reason for revenge and the astonishing resolution. It’s the kind of film you will leave the theater chatting about for a long time. It’s ice cream for horror fans and an enigma for lovers.
The Skin I live In is rated R for disturbing violent content including sexual assault, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use and language. Not a film for the meek or timid. The film is performed in Spanish with English Subtitles.
FINAL ANALYISIS: It’s Ice Cream for followers of the Bizarre. (B+)