Under the Skin (2014)

[UncleBuckWild]

UNDER THE SKIN

PRE-ORDER


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Under-the-Sk.../dp/B00J22YUNU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S1yhSp5jaI

[Buddy Ackerman]

Incredible film. It's weirdness (for want of a better word) will put some people off but I found it to be brilliantly disconcerting and horrifying, with an atmosphere of dread and unease that holds up through most of the film. Some truly stunning imagery and fantastic use of sound/music.

However, I will echo what I and others have said in the review thread - see it in the cinema if you can. I'll definitely be picking this up but I feel you need the full cinema screen and sound to allow it to work as it's such an audiovisual experience. Plus watching it in less-than-familiar surroundings helps heighten the disorientating tone.

[twelvemonkeys]

Originally Posted by Buddy Ackerman

Incredible film. It's weirdness (for want of a better word) will put some people off but I found it to be brilliantly disconcerting and horrifying, with an atmosphere of dread and unease that holds up through most of the film. Some truly stunning imagery and fantastic use of sound/music.

However, I will echo what I and others have said in the review thread - see it in the cinema if you can. I'll definitely be picking this up but I feel you need the full cinema screen and sound to allow it to work as it's such an audiovisual experience. Plus watching it in less-than-familiar surroundings helps heighten the disorientating tone.

Couldn't agree more. It seems to be getting similar responses to Only God Forgives, which personally I loved. An acquired taste, but it's fascinating how the film conveys so much visually, and through the incredible performance from Scarlett Johansson. Hopefully it's proof that not everything has to be outright explained to the audience. There should be more films like it.

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by twelvemonkeys

Couldn't agree more. It seems to be getting similar responses to Only God Forgives, which personally I loved. An acquired taste, but it's fascinating how the film conveys so much visually, and through the incredible performance from Scarlett Johansson. Hopefully it's proof that not everything has to be outright explained to the audience. There should be more films like it.

That's an interesting comparison, because Only God Forgives didn't work for me - beautiful to look at and the policeman character (and actor) was fantastic, but, to me, it felt shallow and its attempts at anything deep or symbolic felt silly. However, I can easily see how others would view it in a different way and see the strengths in it so I have no qualm with viewpoints like yours. I suspect that, as you say, this film will get a similar reaction from some.

(But with a lot more "tits!" responses than Only God Forgives )

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by Buddy Ackerman

That's an interesting comparison, because Only God Forgives didn't work for me - beautiful to look at and the policeman character (and actor) was fantastic, but, to me, it felt shallow and its attempts at anything deep or symbolic felt silly. However, I can easily see how others would view it in a different way and see the strengths in it so I have no qualm with viewpoints like yours. I suspect that, as you say, this film will get a similar reaction from some.

(But with a lot more "tits!" responses than Only God Forgives )

I hope its better than Only God Forgives I really do... such a letdown after Drive. Yeah it looks fantastic but a script would be nice...and a plot helps too. I need to watch OGF again just to make sure and if Im still not impressed, it gets sold on.

[twelvemonkeys]

Originally Posted by Buddy Ackerman

That's an interesting comparison, because Only God Forgives didn't work for me - beautiful to look at and the policeman character (and actor) was fantastic, but, to me, it felt shallow and its attempts at anything deep or symbolic felt silly. However, I can easily see how others would view it in a different way and see the strengths in it so I have no qualm with viewpoints like yours. I suspect that, as you say, this film will get a similar reaction from some.

(But with a lot more "tits!" responses than Only God Forgives )

The comparison was more in the sense that it seems to provoke extreme reactions. It's either 'pretentious shite' or a 'modern masterpiece'. Like them or not, a film that gives those strong reactions usually has something of worth in my opinion. I suppose they are similar in their reliance on building the atmosphere through music and visuals. But Only God Forgives is very open in how you interpret it for yourself, whereas I thought Under the Skin was fairly straightforward.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by twelvemonkeys

Couldn't agree more. It seems to be getting similar responses to Only God Forgives, which personally I loved. An acquired taste, but it's fascinating how the film conveys so much visually, and through the incredible performance from Scarlett Johansson. Hopefully it's proof that not everything has to be outright explained to the audience. There should be more films like it.

I see the similarities in response to the film, but personally I thought it was miles ahead of Only God Forgives. Such a meticulous and detailed film of extreme contrasts, it completely defies explanation let alone genre. I loved it, will be getting the blu-ray...my favourite film this year so far other than Her (weird that both star Johansson...that wasn't a conscious decision).

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by twelvemonkeys

Couldn't agree more. It seems to be getting similar responses to Only God Forgives, which personally I loved. An acquired taste, but it's fascinating how the film conveys so much visually, and through the incredible performance from Scarlett Johansson. Hopefully it's proof that not everything has to be outright explained to the audience. There should be more films like it.

It is getting a far more positive response than Only God Forgives and so it should. Pretty much every review I've read has been very positive and it currently holds at 89% on Rottentomatoes compared to 40% for OGF. While OGF seemed a bit like a tired retreat of themes and visuals from Drive, Under the Skin feels genuinely original. Sure it's an unusual and even experimental film, so it won't be for everybody, but there is more going on than pretty visuals and shock for shocks sake. I see very little similarity between the films.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

It is getting a far more positive response than Only God Forgives and so it should. Pretty much every review I've read has been very positive and it currently holds at 89% on Rottentomatoes compared to 40% for OGF. While OGF seemed a bit like a tired retreat of themes and visuals from Drive, Under the Skin feels genuinely original. Sure it's an unusual and even experimental film, so it won't be for everybody, but there is more going on than pretty visuals and shock for shocks sake. I see very little similarity between the films.

Same. The only similarity is their use of a star actor and renowned director, and both had pretty admirable marketing campaigns. But yeah, that's all besides the point - they're very different beasts. I did like Only God Forgives but that was more an exercise in style and was quite obviously B-movie affair. Under The Skin is one of the most original films of recent memory, with such contrasting elements - I noticed Mr Kermode got frustrated with the fact that he couldn't tell who was an actor and who was an amateur, but that's part of what makes the film so compelling and I think he missed the point.

Originally Posted by twelvemonkeys

The comparison was more in the sense that it seems to provoke extreme reactions. It's either 'pretentious shite' or a 'modern masterpiece'. Like them or not, a film that gives those strong reactions usually has something of worth in my opinion. I suppose they are similar in their reliance on building the atmosphere through music and visuals. But Only God Forgives is very open in how you interpret it for yourself, whereas I thought Under the Skin was fairly straightforward.

I'm inclined to disagree as the film is so visually-driven with so many ambiguities it could be read in many different ways. A friend asked me what I thought of it and mentioned she read a review saying it was misogynistic, which personally I found to be an interesting take on the film considering the setup concerns a seemingly female character preying on unsuspecting males. So yeah the film can be read in different ways and I love that about it. It adds to the haunting feeling, not really knowing many specifics or intentions and for me it will be one to return to again and again. It took Glazer long enough to make it, and in my opinion the effort of him and his colleagues is all in the film. I can see how people will be frustrated at first but that often happens with something so innovative, and indeed frightening.

[tylerdurden10]

Will pre-order this as soon as there is a firm release date. No way I'm waiting until a US blu-ray release for it.

[twelvemonkeys]

To be clear, I was comparing the reactions to the films. I don't think the content of the two films is at all similar, but when pushed you could say their reliance on music and images over exposition to move the film a long is. How successful either film is with doing that isn't what I was getting at, or even which is the better film was not the point I was trying to make.

I hadn't checked the rottentomatoes score, but that's good to know as the film is very deserving of it, and hopefully brings in more people to see it. I'd read a few differing reviews and online responses, and over heard a few annoying people at the screening I was at who weren't at all impressed. It bought to mind the response to Only God Forgives, which as I said seemed to be one extreme or the other.

Originally Posted by rapta

I'm inclined to disagree as the film is so visually-driven with so many ambiguities it could be read in many different ways. A friend asked me what I thought of it and mentioned she read a review saying it was misogynistic, which personally I found to be an interesting take on the film considering the setup concerns a seemingly female character preying on unsuspecting males. So yeah the film can be read in different ways and I love that about it. It adds to the haunting feeling, not really knowing many specifics or intentions and for me it will be one to return to again and again. It took Glazer long enough to make it, and in my opinion the effort of him and his colleagues is all in the film. I can see how people will be frustrated at first but that often happens with something so innovative, and indeed frightening.

I do agree with all of that, I meant more that the feelings of the central character created more of a 'straight forward' journey as opposed to OGF. Around that there are many ambiguities, which as you say really makes the film. Think I also read the misogynistic comment somewhere, which I find a bit odd as Laura is a genuinely intricate character who evolves throughout.

It's an excellent film, easily my favourite of year so far. Hopefully it won't take Glazer another 10 years to get another film out, although if they're this good maybe it's worth the wait.

[Ratfink]

This will be mine as the film floored me. I read the book years ago, and love what Glazer did with it. While the book is slightly more clear and defined (we get to know the lead character's thoughts, after all, not to mention what it is they're actually doing) the film captured the book's essence and atmosphere - usually the most difficult thing to translate from page to screen - even though the actual plot is more abstract.

And considering it's not at all graphic, it completely unnerved me. More so than any film I can think of recently, and for that alone I applaud it.

An astonishing film.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by twelvemonkeys

To be clear, I was comparing the reactions to the films. I don't think the content of the two films is at all similar, but when pushed you could say their reliance on music and images over exposition to move the film a long is. How successful either film is with doing that isn't what I was getting at, or even which is the better film was not the point I was trying to make.

I hadn't checked the rottentomatoes score, but that's good to know as the film is very deserving of it, and hopefully brings in more people to see it. I'd read a few differing reviews and online responses, and over heard a few annoying people at the screening I was at who weren't at all impressed. It bought to mind the response to Only God Forgives, which as I said seemed to be one extreme or the other.



I do agree with all of that, I meant more that the feelings of the central character created more of a 'straight forward' journey as opposed to OGF. Around that there are many ambiguities, which as you say really makes the film. Think I also read the misogynistic comment somewhere, which I find a bit odd as Laura is a genuinely intricate character who evolves throughout.

It's an excellent film, easily my favourite of year so far. Hopefully it won't take Glazer another 10 years to get another film out, although if they're this good maybe it's worth the wait.

I would say it was frustrating to hear from supposed 'fans' of Refn's previous films that they wouldn't give Only God Forgives any patience and wrote it off after seeing it. I have read countless comments of people who were ecstatic about Drive yet had almost nothing to say about Only God Forgives...makes me wonder whether half of the themes going on in Drive went over their heads and they only saw the style more than anything.

Under The Skin is genuinely haunting. I myself had been waiting my whole life to see a genuinely unique film regarding extraterrestrials that didn't just feel informed by what the ET/UFO community spread around and genuinely took a unique stance on the nature of extraterrestrials. Not only that but combined with themes of human nature and existentialism it made for a memorable experience. Shrug at your peril.

[duggie walker]

On more than one occasion I've seen people online say that the film is "student-y". I presume they mean the "incognito" sections of the film but, even so, I can't begin to get my head around the ignorance of such a comment.

[Spiderwalk]

I went to see this yesterday, it's a brilliant piece of art. What made it strange for me though was the 15 or so people in the cinema besides my wife and i were all pensioners.

Did they think this film was rom com!?, there were lots of oohs and aahs at the men who were clearly aroused by ScarJo's hypnotic entrapment. There were no walk outs though, so fair play to them.

Also not really odd considering the nature of the film but the screen went completely black for about 5 minutes at one point, all you could hear was sound effects. ***SPOILER***

[Show spoiler]it was between the scene where the motorcyclist puts the deformed man in the boot of the car and the moment Scarlett appears in blinding white light

. Can anyone who's seen it confirm it was the same at their cinema.

[Chad Plainview]

Will be buying this, can't wait.

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by Spiderwalk

I went to see this yesterday, it's a brilliant piece of art. What made it strange for me though was the 15 or so people in the cinema besides my wife and i were all pensioners.

Did they think this film was rom com!?, there were lots of oohs and aahs at the men who were clearly aroused by ScarJo's hypnotic entrapment. There were no walk outs though, so fair play to them.

Also not really odd considering the nature of the film but the screen went completely black for about 5 minutes at one point, all you could hear was sound effects.

[Show spoiler]***SPOILER*** it was between the scene where the motorcyclist puts the deformed man in the boot of the car and the moment Scarlett appears in blinding white light.

Can anyone who's seen it confirm it was the same at their cinema.

That spoiler's not working. And it IS a spoiler. Highlight the text and click on the icon with the blindfolded emoticon, that should do it.

But anyway, no - I've seen it twice and I don't recall the screen going black for five minutes.

[Show spoiler] The motorcyclist notices an old lady watching him from the street across the road, then drives away. Scarlett then finds herself in the middle of thick fog.

If you didn't see that, something was wrong.

[wooble89]

Just went to see this today and liked it a lot. it was a little jarring at times because I'm from around Glasgow and the thick accents were making me cringe, but it was an excellently made film.

I think the comparison to Only God Forgives is somewhat fair in that I think they appeal to a similar audience. My theatre was pretty full and I could tell 30 seconds in that no one sitting there knew what they were getting into.

I'll shamelessly leave this here since it's my thoughts on the film.

Movie Vlog - Under the Skin (2014) - YouTube

[Spiderwalk]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

That spoiler's not working. And it IS a spoiler. Highlight the text and click on the icon with the blindfolded emoticon, that should do it.

But anyway, no - I've seen it twice and I don't recall the screen going black for five minutes.

[Show spoiler] The motorcyclist notices an old lady watching him from the street across the road, then drives away. Scarlett then finds herself in the middle of thick fog.

If you didn't see that, something was wrong.

Fixed the spoiler now from what you described i did see those scenes so it must have been a cock up in the projection room and was reset back to where it went wrong. Definitely going to buy this, terrific film.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Spiderwalk

Fixed the spoiler now from what you described i did see those scenes so it must have been a cock up in the projection room and was reset back to where it went wrong. Definitely going to buy this, terrific film.

Sounds like you either had an epiphany half-way through the film or something went wrong in the projection room, hehe!

I went to see it at Watershed in Bristol on Monday afternoon (matinée) and the cinema was surprisingly full (about 70-80%). Only 'walkout' was a friend I brought who really needed the toilet about two thirds in, but he rushed back as he didn't want to miss too much...was quite surprised as this time last year when I saw To The Wonder there, several people walked out (though that was a Saturday morning screening I seem to remember, quite a few pensioners too).

Everyone walked out of the screening in silence, and as we left a guy behind us said to his friend "...did you put mushrooms in my water?"

Basically it's not very often a film bowls you over like that. I've had it a few times over the years - off the top of my head...Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, The Tree Of Life, Amour - but this one had a different tone to it. The title is very fitting and completely sums the film up. Conceptually it's astounding. It's certainly a work of art. It is one to see in the cinema first too, but I wouldn't object to home viewing with the sound up and all lights turned out.