Under the Skin (2014)

[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.