Review of Mysterious Skin (2005) by Alex R — 09 Oct 2011
Mysterious Skin is a film that stays with you long after the final credits have rolled. From the opening credits and the face of an eight year old boy as he's showered with fruit loops, it is utterly enthralling.
This is a story where it would be so easy to demonize and judge characters on the fringe, but while never making excuses for them, Gregg Araki shows that they have their own demons and are trying to do the best that they can.
What makes Mysterious Skin work so well is that Araki treats every character with a sensitivity, intimately concerned with the characters psychology. The closeup is extremely prominent and masterfully used.
Every character is grey through and through, and the film covers all the bases from sweet and tender, right through to violent and horrifying. This is a story of how people deal with horrible things in their past, and how that past can define your entire life and hold you captive.
About trying to escape what is done and cannot be changed. Araki doesn't put a foot wrong and the actors follow him step for step giving absolutely fabulous performances. Joseph Gordon-Levitt in particular is unbelievable, commanding the screen every second he's on it.
Mysterious Skin transcends and becomes so much more than the sum of its parts. Heart breaking, gut wrenching and extremely tender, this is probably one of the best films I've ever seen.
This review of Mysterious Skin (2005) was written by Alex R on 09 Oct 2011.
Mysterious Skin has generally received very positive reviews.
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