If there’s one director that can be called truly an auteur, it’s Pedro Almodóvar. Since I’m a lover of anything unique, it’s no surprise that his latest, The Skin I Live In, is one of my most anticipated films of the next year. Arguably the most prolific foreign director of this generation, surprisingly this is Almodóvar’s first step into the realm of horror; at least “horror” as Pedro sees it.
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…
The trailer (actually just a quick scene) has finally arrived as a treat for all of us not lucky enough to be at Cannes this year. Not sure how I would categorize this scene. Is it creepy or comical or emotional? Likely a conglomerate of all three when put into context of the film. It’s been a while since Banderas has been in anything worthy of mention, but after having seen Almodóvar’s Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! earlier this year, I have no doubt he’ll be back on the top of big name stars by year’s end with Pedro’s (and Soderbergh’s) help.
Thanks to Twitch for the above synopsis and the heads up on the trailer…
I’m not an Almodovar fan at all, but I will definitely watch this one!
Somehow it reminds me of Eyes Without a Face…
The premise has a David Cronenberg vibe. Interesting.
This looks like a very interesting film! Potentially a blend of ‘Frankenstein’ and hybrids of such, like ‘Boxing Helena’ (1993).
@ Antho42 ‘Naked Lunch’ (1991) was in my opinion an awesome Cronenberg film. Quite a bit of meat in the creep, so to speak.
It’s not a perfect film; It’s a good film. There are some problems with the long flashback segment. Other than that, the film is awesome. Antonio Banderas should only be in Spanish films.
Yup. Full review coming tomorrow sometime, but this is way way up there on my list of favorite films on the year. Probably #2 or #3. Contender for #1 after some thought.
I too was a little upset about the flashback sequence at first, but once it gets going and they run with the concept, I was hooked. This movie is almost perfect. Perfect ending too. Loved it – probably my favorite Almodovar film to date.