The Skin I Live In (La Piel que Habito) (limited)
| release date | October 14 2011 |
| studio | Sony Pictures Classics |
| director | Pedro Almodovar |
| writer | Pedro Almodovar |
| starring | Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes, Eduard Fernández, Blanca Suárez, Fernando Cayo |
| trailer 1 | Trailer #1 |
1 Comments
“The Skin I Live In” is an outstanding horror-thriller-drama that feels like a blend of classic Hitchcockian suspense and Cronenbergian body-horror.
I’m not exactly sure if this is Pedro AlmodÃ
The best revenge film I’ve seen. Creepy and very twisted. Antonio Banderas was excellent. I figured out what was going on pretty early so wasn’t shocked but it still held my interest and I really enjoyed it. the ending did piss me off though but not in a way that ruined the movie.
I can’t even think of a film to compare this to. The perfect mix of horror, drama, romance, and revenge. Excellent acting and great story that keeps you engaged throughout. It is very effective in playing with your emotions, I honestly didn’t even know who to root for by the end of the movie. Definitely a must watch.
Well this was definitely an odd film. It was visually a classy artistry that you just can’t look away from and it is like a modern day Frankenstein but this story was just all over the place and incoherent. The two leads have enormous chemistry even when they just stare at eachother that makes what I saw of it very provocative but I just couldn’t follow it and just lost interest in the film pretty quickly and I might finish it one day but don’t give a flying turd as of now. As I stand now I don’t recommend it in the slightest.
Two Words AMA ZING! LOL Gorgeous Twisted Revenge Flick !
Fucking incredible.
Yuuuuuuuup…. This is all good.
Ya lets just say when I watched this I did not expect what I saw. Now this movie isnt horrible but it was not for me at all. I mean it is worth a watch to see the crazy twist towards the end. Go into this with an open mind I guess is all I can say.
Despite its horrifying premise, this is more of a thriller than a horror film. Amaldovar makes visually striking, strange films, and if you’re familiar with his work this film is a real pleasure. Sure its f@*cked up, but its also compelling, beautiful to look at (even when whats happening is repulsive) and strangely, surreal yet realistic. If you’re looking for guts and monsters, this isn’t the film for you, but if you’re willing to sit back and just take in what’s unfolding before you, its quite the trip.
The Skin I Live In is definitely the sort of film that you don’t want to go into knowing a lot about. In the same way that all you need to know about The Cabin in the Woods is that 5 friends get attacked whilst staying in a cabin and with The Ordeal a singer’s car breaks down in the woods, all you need to know about The Skin I Live In is that a doctor is working on synthetic skin. Of course like with all the other synopis’ the outcome is a lot more complex and shocking than that. I went in (well put the disc in) not knowing much about it either, just knowing that it was a sort of revenge story, I had no real clue what the film was about and I’m glad I didn’t because it completely took me by surprise.
The Skin I Live In may leave you bemused with its confusing opening which poses a lot of qustions such as ‘who’s that woman?’ and ‘why is she there?’ but rest assured because everything will be explained in one of the most gripping and visceral ways I’ve seen. What makes the Skin I Live In so great is its unpredictable screenplay which changes directions numerous times, leaving you dazzled as to who the characters actually are and how your feelings towards them change as the film progresses. Once the twist starts revealing itself I was in complete shock at its originality and innovation. The film perfecly draws you in to its characters and their stories and then hits you like a ton of bricks. I was left saying ‘who the hell thought this up?’ and the answer is someone utterly brilliant!
The narrative unfolds through various flashbacks and flashforwards, but once you piece it all together it’s surprisingly simple. I was gripped throughout its long-ish running time and was actually left wanting more out of its ending! The Skin I Live In creates fantastically complicated characters leading interesting lives, hopefully unlike yours and mine. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen anything quite like it and I’ve seen Conspirators of Pleasure for Christ’s sake! However, whilst Conspirators of Pleasure aims to bemuse its audience through surrealist imagery, the Skin I live In uses intelligence and originality whilst not alienating its audience.
The film also looked fantastic with rarely a frame being out of place. I’ve never seen a Pedro film before, but this has got me interested in the man. There’s incredible cinematography and the whole look of the film is very stylish with its use of colour and set-design. The acting is also top-class too with Antonio on fine form, and the other actors (whom I’ve never heard of, but must be great in Spain) were equally as engaging. I also enjoyed ts use of location which all created the right impact whether it be a lavish party, a minimalist bedroom or cave-like basement. There’s plenty of mise-en-scene at use which media students could have a ball at analysing.
I don’t really want to get too much into the film because I don’t want to spoil it. It’s a film you need to experience for yourself, but don’t worry it’s worth a buy because you’re probably going to want to give it a few more looks again. The Skin I Live In is film-making at its best with wonderful acting and directing as well as a careful and utterly engaging screenplay. The film’s originality, uniqueness and innovation has to be applauded and makes the film a near-perfect masterpiece that I hope to watch again in a very different light. Give it a go!