http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Skin_I_Live_In
When I first started watching it I thought it was done by the same director who did "Y Tu Mamá También" in 2001, Alfonso Cuarón (who also co-wrote that script). Both directors have unique, individual (though similar) styles and approach sexuality in frank, almost shocking but intelligent ways.
Cuarón had already shot two big budget American films prior to "Y Tu Mamá También" but he chose to shoot it in Mexico. I've read it was partly because he feared getting an NC-17 rating in the States which would have made financing and marketing difficult.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y_Tu_Mam%C3%A1_Tambi%C3%A9n
The resulting film is in no way pornographic, but it depicts sexual growth and maturity in an honest and adult way. It’s not overtly graphic, but it’s not cautiously shy either. It seems Cuarón was afraid any honest depiction of budding sexual awareness would scare Jack Valenti’s puritanical MPAA ratings board away from an R rating. (Amazingly, the film Cuarón directed immediately after this was "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." He did a great job, but what about "Y Tu Mamá También" made the producers think he was right for a Harry Potter movie?!?!) By shooting in his native Mexico, Cuarón was able to make the movie he wanted and it's a great flick, a coming of age story between two Mexican teenagers and an “older” woman in her late 20s who accompanies them on a road trip.
“The Skin I Live In” contains sexual elements with a bizarre storyline that reminded me of the vibe of "Y Tu Mamá También" but with more thriller and some sci-fi elements. The films explore the nature of sexuality in different ways (though you wouldn’t really call “The Skin I Live In” a movie about sex, maybe more about sexual roles).
“The Skin I Live In” stars Banderas as a surgeon who becomes obsessed with the idea of transforming people through plastic surgery. We find out early on he lost a wife to a fire and later suffered another tragic loss. He decides to develop an artificial skin that will look and function as effectively as normal human skin but will be much more impervious to burning. Wait until you see how he goes about testing it.
The movie flashes back and forth a lot so you have to pay attention, but I had no trouble understanding where it was going and understanding the actions, motivations and relationships of the characters (unlike "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy). At times the information is a little subtle but I like that, the movie treats us like intelligent people and trusts we’ll be able to follow along. The film is a thriller, a mystery, an examination of identity and sexual identity, and it’s an original. You won’t see the ending coming, it’s a deftly-handled surprise. I like mainly how smart the film is. Banderas is great in what might have been seen to be on paper a risky role. He’s confident and effortless, and I enjoyed seeing him in something with substance. The movie gets close to melodrama and the mild sci-fi elements might strain credulity a bit, but it’s so expertly put together I had no trouble suspending my disbelief and going with it.
I’d be curious to know what other people think. Chime in if you’ve seen it. If you haven’t and you like original movies, check it out. It’s in Spanish with subtitles but by the end you’ll forget you’re even reading them.
The movie, which premiered in May 2011 in competition at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, didn’t get any Academy Award nominations this year but it won Best Film Not in the English Language at the 65th British Academy Film Awards.
(I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to comment.)
No comments:
Post a Comment