14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best, September 12, 2003
First off -- I am writing this the day after the passing of John Ritter. Ritter was one of the best physical comedians. He wow'd us with his antics and sweet heart for many years on 3's Company. John -- thanks for all the great laughs.
Now on to the review of this movie. To this day, this is one of my favorite movies even though I've only seen it 3 times (I'm purchasing the DVD today). Yes, the condom scene is one of the funniest scenes in movie history -- but I prefer another funny scene. John's character follows a woman into a upscale "physical therapy" office and is then tortured with muscle stimulators by a scorned former lover. When Zack comes out of the office he is twitching so badly he can hardly walk. This is classic John Ritter physicality. I laffed so hard the last time I watched that I almost couldn't breathe any more.
Also, while very funny, this movie follows a man who is trying desparately to repair his life and at every turn keeps failing. At one point, in his physcharist's office, his cry for help is so real-looking that it made me cry.
So, again, John, thanks for the many years of laughter. You will be missed!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Skin deep comedy, December 3, 2005
One of the finest films of Blake Edwards since Victor / Victoria. John Ritter ( splendid here ) incarnates a womanizer and alcoholic famous writer who is in a bad professional moment and still in love with his ex-wife in this sarcastic non-stylished battle-of-the-sexes comedy that combines brilliant sight-gags and clever dialogues and return to us the best Edwards ( A shot in the dark ; The party ; The Pink Panther strikes back ). An intelligent comedy conceived as it was the confessional visual diary of his protagonist, strategy that allows Edwards to integrate a collection of funny sketches that work autonomously inside a solid narrative structure.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Get rid of the vices to get to the virtues..., June 16, 2001
This is easily John Ritter's finest film. Now, that may sound like damning with faint praise, as the competition is such movies as "Problem Child", "Hero at Large" and "Stay Tuned", but "Skin Deep" is truly an achievement, a virtuoso performance by a man who is probably doomed to spend the rest of his days as a pratfalling, slapstick comedian. But here, he shines, bringing true feeling to his performance. You can feel the pain, humilation and defeat he suffers through the bright veneer of humor.
This is the story of Zack Hutton, a talented writer who sinks into alcoholism and insecurity after he destroys his marriage by womanizing. It's the story of a man who hits rock bottom and redeems himself. For a goofy comedy, it's pretty poignant.
The film is buoyed by amazing supporting performances by Vincent Gardenia as a wise bartender, Joel Brooks as best friend and attorney Jake and Dee Dee Rescher as jakes wife, Bernice.
Invariably, people point to the scene "that glows in the dark" as a reason to watch this movie, but I think that famous scene is easilyt the silliest and most forgettable. Funnier scenes abound and, if you pay attention, the movie is peppered with clever, underplayed dialog.
This is one of my favorite movies. I hope you enjoy it, too.
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