Going into a Pedro Almodovar film, I never know what to expect. So, I simply go along for the ride. Almodovar knows how to use film to manipulate his audience and he does it efficiently in The Skin I Live In. The story is somehow less disturbing than it otherwise might be by introducing characters in the present before filling us in on the history. A warped story with troubled characters that is certain to make your skin crawl.
Dr. Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) is an elite plastic surgeon. He has a home-based surgical center where he performs delicate and discreet surgeries with a team of trusted professionals. Dr. Ledgard is on the cutting edge of plastic surgery, capable of incredible transformations. His work has led him to study durable, insect-resilient skin that has the potential to stop the spread of diseases like malaria. While Dr. Ledgard has advised the scientific community that he has tested his discoveries on mice, in reality, he has been testing on a mysterious woman (Elena Anaya) who he keeps locked in the room next to his own.
There are a lot of Tudorian twists in the story,which are merely alluded to rather than explored. Ledgard was raised by the family housekeeper, Marillia (Marissa Paredes), who we learn is actually his own mother. We are briefly introduced to her other son, Zeca (Roberto Alamo), who has a troubled history with Ledgard. Ledgard has been plagued by tragedy, troubled by the deaths of both his wife and daughter and the rape of his daughter six years ago by a local boy named Vicente (Jan Cornet). The tragedies in this film are not isolated. The elements are all inter-related in a warped, twisted character study.
Almodovar adapted The Skin I Live In from a novel written by Thierry Jonquet. The story provides fertile ground for Almodovar's unique brand of story-telling. The audience is drawn into an intriguing world with quirky characters while being left to guess who our mysterious woman, Vera, really is. Is it Ledgards wife? His daughter? Why does he keep her locked up? Is he afraid she will try to hurt herself like his wife and daughter did? Ledgard is a sick man. His character seems in control at all times, but somehow right at the edge of completely losing his balance. By using flashbacks, Almodovar creates mystery, tension and even a bit of identification with each of the characters before tripping us up with a heavy dose of Machavellian trickery. I enjoyed the ride, which was peppered with an offbeat humor that you have to allow yourself to fully enjoy. Dark, but cheeky. A bit contrived at times.
The film succeeded for me, due in large part to the performance of Antonio Banderas. I was captivated by his command of the character. His ability to sell me on some inconceivable ideas is a testament to his skill. I have always been a fan, anyway, so it does not surprise me that I enjoyed his performance. But his one is different. It is both dark, yet innocent. It is off kilter, yet controlled. It is a balancing act that could easily have made the film lack credibility. I actually questioned some of the plot lines, but kept finding myself pulled back in by the performances. Anaya was beautiful and intriguing as Vera, although her performance did not require near the balance. The casting worked perfectly for me.
The Skin I Live In is a dark film with strong sexual themes. It is not going to be for everyone and definitely not for children. The film features two rape scenes, several murders, nudity, sexual references, adult content and the use of hard drugs (opium). One of the rape scenes is fairly brutal. The murders have a mild gore factor, but the film isn't necessarily short on blood. Moreover, the content of the film deals with troubling issues that younger audiences won't fully grasp and older audiences may find appalling. Saying this film is dark does not fully capture the essence of it. It is an incredible skin-crawling mind trick, but viewers may find themselves disturbed by the major themes.
I was not troubled by The Skin I Live In. It amused me. I was fooled along with everyone else, not having any idea what I was walking into. I also like a film that makes you think. The fact that Almodovar can take a dark subject and infuse it with a sideways humor was a bonus. And his lines were delivered with a great "straight man" delivery by the talented Banderas. The film has strong adult material and themes. Great consideration should be given regarding who is allowed to watch this film and in what type of mixed company. I would not have taken my mother to see it, for sure. An interesting film, with a few flaws that I was able to overlook. 8/10.
