“The Skin I Live In” Shines Thanks To Almodovar’s Skill

By Jennice Fuentes

Courtesy of www.OurTiempo.com

As it turns out, you can always go home.

The latest work by the insanely talented Spanish Director Pedro Almodovar, “The Skin I Live In” (La Piel que habito), wants you to hold on to this belief…and a few others. Maestro Almodovar has become one of Spain’s most thrilling exports. Just like a fancy Rioja, Almodovar keeps getting bolder and more robust with the years, and indulging in its pleasures is a thrill.

In a sense, this latest obra is composed of the same elements we have come to expect: outrageous plots, twisted turns, kickass acting, fantastic sets, luxurious camera angles, noirish soundtracks, and lots of room to think and wonder. This story is loosely based on the edgy little novel “Mygale” by Thierry Jonquet, and its mostly a fantasy about being able to get away with your revenge…regardless of how off the charts (literally) it may be….

With a non-linear narrative, “Skin” immediately transfixes you with the face of a beautiful young woman. She seems to spend a lot of time doing yoga and living quite comfortably in modern luxury in the mansion of Dr. Robert Letgard (an exquisite Antonio Banderas) but with little to no contact with the outside world. She also appears to be naked all the time… Upon close inspection we realize that she is wearing a cat suit that serves as a second skin. She also seems to be under 24/7 surveillance.

Who is she? Is she dangerous? Is she a prisoner? Is she a patient? Well, we soon learn that her name is Vera (Elena Anaya) but how she got here and why is she is here is a whole different enchilada that you will have to find out for yourself.

What can be said here without spoiling the brew is that the good doc is a man with terrible luck. This gifted surgeon, who is as good looking as he is wealthy and successful, has had a pretty tragic life. To the best of his knowledge his parents are dead…he was raised by the maid who is still his closest confidant. His wife died after surviving a horrific car accident that burnt most of her skin. She jumped to her death not long thereafter. His young daughter Norma (Blanca Suárez) seems to have been traumatized by the mother’s suicide. Now a pretty teenager, she is messed up by a local dude, Vicente (Jan Corbet) who was just doing what horny teenagers do. Only that most teenagers are not so unlucky as to piss off a deranged lunatic like Letgard…a man will a grudge and no scruples. Never a good combo.

As Letgard, Banderas seems to be shooting a commercial for Esquire magazine throughout the entire movie. This is never a bad thing. Hollywood has never known what to do with this talented actor, who despite his immense talent, arrived in Hollywood as sex bombshell and never got to make the movies he deserved.

Almodovar on the other hand, knows exactly how to use Banderas’ talents to maximum effect.

With this sort of background, you can only wonder who Vera (Elena Amaya) is and why she is always wearing that funny looking catsuit. And what’s with all the yoga positions? Is she preparing for her yoga training certificate? Why is she locked up and why is everyone acting so cool about this? Yes, it’s all very confusing at first…until you slowly figure it all out. Not that it will make sense to you…but at least the pieces may come together…

Under less steady hands, Skin could have been a melodramatic pastiche of no certain worth. The implausible plot is an exercise on suspension of disbelief, but this is easy because you are given so many reasons to believe. First and foremost, is Antonio Banderas, that original enfant terrible of the early Almodovar films…is back to the scene of the crime. After all, it was Almodovar who launched Banderas into international film community by giving him those first and memorable breaks. Ever the grateful (pretty) nice man, Banderas is back…and looking better than ever. The great Marisa Paredes can read the phone book on camera and still be mesmerizing. The talent and beauty of this goddess is ageless. Then there is the story…which because this is an Almodovar movie, will always involve a beautiful woman (or man for that matter).

117 Min, Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar , Screenplay by: Thierry Jonquet. Rated R for disturbing violent content including sexual assault, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use and language.

Jennice Fuentes is a cultural commentator and a frequent guest on various local and national radio and television programs. She is also an actress whose professional career includes a recurring role in the critically-acclaimed HBO series “K Street”; a movie for 20th Century Fox; as well as several independent film roles and theater credits. Ms. Fuentes’ movie reviews, celebrity interviews and entertainment articles have appeared in a number of Spanish language magazines, including People en Espanol, Caras Magazine, and Vista Magazine, the national monthly newspaper supplement, the Puerto Rican daily, Primera Hora, El Tiempo Latino, the largest Spanish weekly in the Washington, D.C. and Filmoteca.com.