The Skin I Live In

An objectively oddball piece of work, The Skin I Live In follows plastic surgeon Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) as he attempts to perfect a new kind of skin that withstands any kind of damage – with this merely the tip of the iceberg in terms of the impressively unpredictable narrative that eventually ensues. Filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar delivers a deliberately-paced drama that ultimately does feel about a half hour longer than necessary, and yet The Skin I Live In, buoyed by an escalating series of insane twists, predominantly comes off as an entertaining, sporadically spellbinding drama that somehow never becomes as lurid or trashy as one might’ve expected. It’s clear, certainly, that the picture benefits substantially from its raft of above-average performances, as Banderas’ engrossing work here is matched by a strong supporting cast that includes Marisa Paredes and Elena Anaya. (The latter, cast as Robert’s captive guinea pig, is especially good in a mysterious role that only grows more and more complex as time progresses.) And although Almodóvar’s methodical, art-house approach prevents the whole thing from becoming as consistently captivating as one might’ve hoped, The Skin I Live In is nevertheless a seriously singular effort that establishes itself as perhaps the most bizarre entry within Almodóvar’s filmography (which is in itself no small feat).

*** out of ****