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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very disturbing view of one woman's descent., April 30, 2005
This review is from: In My Skin (DVD)
Looking at the reviews, the average reader may decide that this movie sounds harsh, but surely nothing too bad. Trust me, It really IS that harsh. If you cannot stomach pain, blood, etc., then In My Skin isn't for you. I'm not talking about Hollywood violence here; the scenes in this film look very real and are therefore more disturbing. That being said....
This movie does an excellent job pulling the viewer into the main character's (Esther) world. She really is a tragic character, a (highly) updated Ophelia for the modern viewer. As bits of her life have the possiblilty of coming together (new apartment, successful boyfriend, job promotion) things simultaneously begins to fall apart. Like a wound that quickly turns to gangrene, her initial gash soon engulfs her body and emotions. As you watch her descent, scene after scene unfolds where you wish that there was some way to stop her. Yet Esther is moving too quickly as she begins to uncover the deep-seated tendencies that lead to her ultimate undoing.
Who would like this film? I would guess that fans of psychodrama, feminist film, and experimental film may find a lot of worthwhile material here. If you enjoy the films of Michael Haneke (The Piano Teacher) or even Maya Deren's "Meshes of the Afternoon" will likely see some interesting resonances.
My bottom line opinion: if you can handle extremely realistic and graphic scenes showing self-inflicted violence and mental illness, and are interested in highly personal / psychodrama, then this is a worthwhile film to see.
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14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing and disturbing, April 23, 2004
This review is from: In My Skin (DVD)
i don't really feel like writing alot about this film here so this review probably won't be one of those "helpful" ones. what does that mean anyway? helpful to whom? i write this just to say that this one of those films that are very difficult to watch and yet you keep watching. marina de van is amazing as the main character the director and the writer. i guess i could write some critical/theoretical comments about body politics and the objectification of internal pain states etc. but i am really sick of writing theory. if you are looking for visual representations or performances addressing issues of the body and identity you could cull a few from here. to be silly i will say this is not a good date movie (at least as far as any relationship i'd like to be in). you will not feel happy and uplifted afterwards. you might even come away thinking films like this have no redeeming value. yet it is so so very very compelling to watch and think about. also, if you have ever looked at websites about "cutting" (often young over-achieving girls, but possible in any demographic) or if you cut or know of someone who does this would be a movie about the complex of "cutting" writ large. i don't know that much about it but i think it is alittle like anorexia and bulimia where people try to take control of their own lives at the only level they can. now i know that the ana/mia websites have the disclaimer that if you are a "recovering" ana/mia person you should not enter because you might get "triggered?" to return to your old habits and i think maybe that would be true for cutters too, and this film is so very graphic and eroticizes the act to the extent that someone who is trying not to be a cutter might want to steer clear. i didn't buy it, i rented it and you might want to go that route first because i think it's not for everybody. it is so definitely worth seeing but i don't think i'd buy it unless i was into the lifestyle or had a research topic on a subject of this nature. but hey, this is just one review and you know what? i'm not even going to proofread! bye!
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not for the squeamish or those with light stomachs., May 6, 2004
This review is from: In My Skin (DVD)
I remember seeing the trailer for IN MY SKIN in the theatre several months ago and there was an immediate audience reaction to the frank scenes of a woman engaging in acts of self-mutilation, myself included. In spite of my initial whimpering there I was curious about this film, as this is a rare subject matter and sensitive topic to portray. For this reason I decided to rent the DVD to see more about this woman with the tendency to cut herself. Esther (Marina de Van) is an ambitious career woman with an enduring boyfriend who appears to have everything going for her. While attending a party she accidentally trips in a darkened yard and suffers a serious cut on her calf. One would think that a person who receives such a similar injury would feel the pain immediately and seek out some assistance. Esther, however, only believes that her pants were torn and continues to enjoy the party until she witnesses her trail of blood. Both her doctor and boyfriend are stunned over Esther's lack of feeling for good reasons. As time progresses Esther realizes that she is strangely soothed by aspect of cutting herself and engages in such behavior behind the backs of others. She continuously feels compelled to harm herself and often hides in public places while taking a sharp object to an appendage of her body. She quickly slides down a downward spiral of aberrant conduct. An obvious question is why Esther is mutilating herself while risking both her relationship and career. Unfortunately there are no clear answers. Cutting is a serious psychological disorder that is often an outlet for feelings of low self-esteem and lack of control over present circumstances, but Esther's situation remains vague. It was only watching the director's commentary that I received some clarity and insight, and in the fashion of French cinema the relationship of Esther to her body is largely philosophical. IN MY SKIN is certainly not for everyone due to the numerous blatant scenes of self-mutilation. Its lack of clarity can be annoying and grating and as a result I would definitely recommend watching the director's commentary afterwards to better appreciate this film. 3.5 stars.
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