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Ever since his wife was burned in a car crash, Dr. Robert Ledgard, an eminent plastic surgeon, has been interested in creating a new skin with which he could have saved her. After twelve years, he manages to cultivate a skin that is a real shield against every assault. In addition to years of study and experimentation, Robert needed a further three things: no scruples, an accomplice and a human guinea pig. Scruples were never a problem. Marilia, the woman who looked after him from the day he was born, is his most faithful accomplice. And as for the human guinea pig…- (C) Sony
| Date | Apr 18, 2012 |
| Categories | Movies. |
| Tags | Drama, Indie, Spanish, Suspense, Thriller. |
| Total views | 502 |
| Daily views | 0 |
About
Written By: Joe Dante
The Skin I Live In is Pedro Almodóvar at his best. Many would rank the film among his best so far. Almodóvar constantly dives into the same themes, making them unique and different. The Skin I Live In is vintage Almodovar.
Almodóvar’s career is like wine, his films are better each time and subsequent viewings are even greater than the first. The Skin I Live In falls into this category. Repeat viewings allows audiences to see things differently and clearer than the first time around.
Antonio Banderas reunites with Almodóvar. Banderas has worked with Almodóvar in many of the director’s early classics. The last time they worked together was in the 1990’s Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! Now in 2011 they renewed this old bond.
Banderas plays Robert Ledgard, a brilliant plastic surgeon, who creates synthetic skin from animal cells. The process is called transgenesis. His colleagues are not happy over the controversial process.
Robert experiments on Vera Cruz (Elena Anaya), a young woman held captive at his home. He is also haunted by his wife’s death. She was burned in a horrific car accident.
Robert was able to bring his wife back to life. His daughter Norma (Bianca Suarez) witnessed her mother’s suicide. Norma is in a comatose state after a traumatizing rape, and it is hard for Norma to see her father because of the fragile state caused by the event.
Norma ends up killing herself and Robert immerses himself in his work and Vera. The events just described are told in flashbacks. Underneath the surface lies a dark secret connecting Robert’s tragedy to Vera. Only Almodóvar can illustrate this with his unique and colorful style.
The surprising twist brings Vera and Robert together. Watching all of this unfold, is shocking and electrifying. Robert has held Vera captive for a long time. They end up becoming lovers as the past events, that brought them together, are told through lucid flashbacks.
Once the twist is revealed, Vera eventually reunites with her family in a magical moment that Almodóvar captures, as it slowly fades to black. The ending reverberates once the credits roll, leaving a sense of vindication. Everything falls into place.
Almodóvar’s style is stamped throughout the film. He always has a unique color palette and is not afraid to experiment. The film opens with greys and dark blues. Almodóvar experiments with shades of green and black in the middle of the film. Towards the end, Almodóvar opens up the color palette by mixing red, yellow, and blue.
The Skin I Live In is classic Almodóvar. His unique sense of style, camera work, and color palette is marked throughout the film. The way he tells the story gives it his final touch as a unique master at his craft.
Hollywood Apples is picking The Skin I Live In. This Spanish Thriller is something that many will find entertaining. Almodóvar and Banderas combine to make an excellent film. If you want to see what Spanish film making is all about, you should check out The Skin I Live In.
