“From acclaimed director Pedro Almodovar (Volver, Talk to Her) comes The Skin I Live In, about a plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas), who after twelve years of blood, sweat and tears, has finally managed to cultivate a skin that can protect from burns, mosquito bites and quite probably acne. If he had created this new skin sooner it could’ve saved his wife who was burned alive in a car crash. But he didn’t. So he’s pretty pissed off. And his sour mood isn’t helped by the constant reminder of his daughter’s descent into madness after being raped years earlier. Luckily, all is not lost, because old Ledgard has skills. He also has a motive. All he needs now is a guinea pig…
The Skin I Live In is told through flashbacks. I hate flashbacks. Only after you’ve watched it in its entirety can you pick faults with a lack of plot that somehow stretches towards the two hour mark. In fact, if you unravelled the story and dissected its turning points, structure, subplots, set-ups and payoffs, there wouldn’t be much on the operating table. Whether Almodovar chose to shoot the film in such a manner to cover the cracks is unclear – it will keep you mildly interested - but the final result is a movie benefitting from brilliant performances, a few hard to watch scenes but a lot of filler lacking any kind of conflict or surprise. It’s also ridiculous.” DW
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