Review of Mysterious Skin (2005) by Gabe E — 05 Jan 2012

From Roger Ebert's review:

"Mysterious Skin," written and directed by Gregg Araki and based on a novel by Scott Heim, is at once the most harrowing and, strangely, the most touching film I have seen about child abuse. It is unflinching in its tough realism; although there is no graphic sex on the screen, what is suggested, and the violence sometimes surrounding it, is painful and unsentimental.

"Mysterious Skin" begins in the confusion of childhood experiences too big to be processed, and then watches with care and attention as its characters grow in the direction that childhood pointed them. It is not a message picture, doesn't push its agenda, is about discovery, not accusation.".

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I'm not capable of skillfully articulating exactly what it is about Mysterious Skin that is so captivating, and even though parts are painful to watch, there's something beautiful about it all once it's finished. The cinematography is breathtaking. Plus, Joseph Gordon-Levitt never ceases to impress, here he blew me away.