Review of Mysterious Skin (2005) by Nathan M — 01 Nov 2012
On the edgier side of conventional films, New Queer director Gregg Araki fearlessly and stylishly tells a tragic story of pedophilia and unsavory consequences that can follow. Aliens as a metaphor for the sexual abuse is a nice touch.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a great performance as a gay adolescent who later becomes a sex worker. Michelle Trachtenberg is also good as Wendy, Gordon-Levitt's friend and an edgy contrast to Harriet the Spy.
Setting wise, is slightly recalls Boys Don't Cry and Brokeback Mountain, as a gay story set in the intolerant midwest. However, the injustices in this film aren't of the same nature of those two.
The action takes place in the intense times of the late 1970s into the 1980s. Perhaps I'm becoming somewhat desensitized, but I think this film could have easily been rated R, rather than the exposure-killing NC-17.
The homosexual subject matter might have caused a spasm of phobia by the MPAA ratings board. Spanning the spectrum of masculinity in his films, from assassin to indie card designer, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's acting versatility is very encouraging.
(1 November 2012).
This review of Mysterious Skin (2005) was written by Nathan M on 01 Nov 2012.
Mysterious Skin has generally received very positive reviews.
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