The Skin I Live In (2011)
La piel que habito
Directed by Pedro Almodovar
A brilliant plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Ledgard, haunted by past tragedies, creates a type of synthetic skin that withstands any kind of damage. He achieves this by experimenting on Vera, a beautiful young woman that he’s keeping locked up in his mansion. As he gets closer to perfecting the skin on his flawless patient, the scientific community become sceptical as his past reveals that the patient is linked to tragic events that Dr Ledgard would like to remain hidden.
This unique, gothic and beautiful film is an adaptation of author Thierry Jonquet’s dark novel ‘Mygale’ and is stylishly shot to cinematic perfection by director Pedro Almodovar. Although not gory, ‘The Skin I Live In’, is disturbing, absorbing and full of raw intensity throughout. Antonio Banderas takes on the lead role of the psychotic genius Dr Robert Ledgard, which draws comparisons with a modern day version of Dr. Frankenstein. However, the true star of this film is the impressive Elena Anaya’s performance of Vera, which is also where the strength of this film lies. ‘The Skin I Live In’ contains graphic violence, sexual situations, rape and some rather unsettling ideas surrounding revenge and psychology and will not to everyone’s taste. However, this rare gem of a film will blow those away who are brave enough and have the patients and curiosity to stick with it.
When all the layers are revealed in the end, ‘The Skin I Live In’ is a strange, dark, perverted and entertaining film full of plot twists, which you will not see coming, as it weaves a beautiful and sinister portrayal of love, obsession and madness. This film will become truly addictive viewing and is unlike anything I have seen before and is sure to stay with you long after watching.
The things the love of a mad man can do
