''The Skin I Live In'' (2011 movie)- Review

Directed by: Pedro Almodovar
Released: 2011
Country: Spain

Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Psychological thriller, Horror

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
  
Review

Ah, Pedro Almodovar, you are amazing. The Skin I Live In is meant to be a psychological thriller. The result is a blend between thriller, horror, drama, and sentiments. While chiefly a thriller, it also touches sentimental aspect, though there is no melodrama. The Skin I Live In is a haunting film,  a disturbing story told beautifully, with an excellent presentation and screenplay.

Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) is a plastic surgeon and is successful in face transplantation. He comes up with a new idea, about skin that are resistant to insect bites, burns, etc. He is, however, forbidden to go on with this experiment.

But however, secretly, Ledgard has kept a young woman, Vera, hidden in his home. He is testing that very idea on Vera. Vera is kept hidden in a room of his house. She can't get out. The only people who know about her existence are Ledgard and his servant, Marilia. 

One day, an odd man wearing a tiger costume arrives in the house. He is actually Marilia's son, Zeca. Marilia tries her best to get rid of him. She cannot let anyone get a hint about Vera. However, Zeca discovers Vera, and then after breaking into her room, rapes Vera. However, Robert soon arrives and kills Zeca.

Marilia reveals to Vera the tragic past of Ledgard, about the suicides of both of his wife and his daughter. From that time, Vera and Robert seemingly fall in love and Robert is promised that they will be no more locked doors in future.

And then... there is flashbacks... We are shown everything of the past. Of what exactly had happened to Robert's wife and daughter. And who Vera actually is. A tale of suicides, revenges, mistakes, desperation, and terrible results of revenge.

The back story is shocking. Just shocking. It was like... a bolt from a blue! I mean, it is kind of a twist. And the background is told so beautifully, and often disturbingly.

The first hour of this film is spent with introductions. We are introduced to the characters, the situation. But we have no questions about who Vera actually is, how Vera is related to Ledgard's tragic past.  She just seems an innocent girl, an innocent victim of Ledgard's experiments.  The next part is the flashbacks, the background. The flashbacks answer the unasked questions. Ah, my mouth dropped open with surprise! Each of the back stories were so fascinating and shocking.  I'll say no more about this part!!! The last part... well, I better not say anything about that! 

Antonio Banderas is excellent as Ledgard. Elena Anaya, as Vera, delivers a strong performance as well. With strong performances, excellent concept, and an extraordinary screenplay this is a splendid film. It was so haunting, so amazing, so memorable. The last scene almost brought tears to my eyes!! Almodovar, salutes to you!

4.5 out of 5