There are some films that are made for the masses. Others are just not meant to be understood but everyone. But this doesn't mean the film is bad. On the contrary, some of these films not made for the general film audience are excellent in every aspect. Under The Skin from director Jonathan Glazer is one film that isn't for everyone. I hate to characterize it like this but this a film for fans of great film. The masses won't get or understand it. Not that I entirely get it either because the film leaves a lot to your interpretation.
Scarlett Johansson stars as undefined being resembling human form. Her task is to lure the men of Scotland back to her 'lair'. From there they are devoured by a pool of black ink. Followed by a watcher riding a motorcycle most of the time, he preps her for her outings. When things go badly he turns into the cleaner. Johansson's character begins to feel for the human race after her one encounter with a victim (Adam Pearson). This prompts a seeking of what it is to be human.
The plot is thin I will admit but the film goes a long way to give you so much. Half way through the plot doesn't matter. This is not the type of film where everything is spelled out. That is a credit to the filmmakers. Glazer created a sci-fi drama that just goes. That's the best way I can put it. We follow Johansson's character as she goes from one place to another looking for her pray. Credit Johansson for conveying an emotionless entity just going through the motions most of the film.
She's cold, calculated and even unapproachable if it wasn't for her good looks. She goes all out with this role being frequently naked. When the film starts there is an amount of confusion on the part of the viewer. But by the end her character has gone through a small evolution. Depending on what type of person you are you might actually feel sympathy. That finale 'chase' was uncomfortable to watch.
The film is incredible shot with some long takes and stunning landscape visuals. The stigma of art house holds true. It's extremely artistic looking and the way it handles the subject matter. Because most of what is going on is left vague, the viewer is left make their own judgment. I'm still up in the air a bit about who these entities are. At one time I thought Johansson was a succubus because the nature of her actions. But with the opening shown as a eye, letting the viewer know that the view they see is not one of the world I suspect that she is a 'alien'.
The only issues I had was when the film starts some of the Scottish accents were hard to decipher. It is a bit of a learning curve. But that quickly falls by the wayside when the story develops. One particular scene (the beach scene) threw me for a loop. I couldn't understand how this entity could be so cold. It was somewhat animalistic. Realizing that she isn't a from this world her actions made more sense. Gorgeously shot the moment will draw up all sorts of emotions from the viewer. Much of the film is like that shocking but appealing.
I didn't know what to think when I sat down with the film. I had read reviews that just disoriented me. Many critics and film fans had this on their list of best films of 2014. I can now see why. Any easy going viewer will hate this. There disdain may spread to other like minded individuals but not everyone.
Film students, fans of great cinema should eat this up. In a world where we get tons of Hollywood fluff it's nice there are still filmmakers out there that reach and succeed. Jonathan Glazer has here a film that does a great balance of intrigue, visual stun and mystify all at the same time. I don't know why it took me this long to watch it but I'm so happy I finally did.
Scarlett Johansson stars as undefined being resembling human form. Her task is to lure the men of Scotland back to her 'lair'. From there they are devoured by a pool of black ink. Followed by a watcher riding a motorcycle most of the time, he preps her for her outings. When things go badly he turns into the cleaner. Johansson's character begins to feel for the human race after her one encounter with a victim (Adam Pearson). This prompts a seeking of what it is to be human.
The plot is thin I will admit but the film goes a long way to give you so much. Half way through the plot doesn't matter. This is not the type of film where everything is spelled out. That is a credit to the filmmakers. Glazer created a sci-fi drama that just goes. That's the best way I can put it. We follow Johansson's character as she goes from one place to another looking for her pray. Credit Johansson for conveying an emotionless entity just going through the motions most of the film.
She's cold, calculated and even unapproachable if it wasn't for her good looks. She goes all out with this role being frequently naked. When the film starts there is an amount of confusion on the part of the viewer. But by the end her character has gone through a small evolution. Depending on what type of person you are you might actually feel sympathy. That finale 'chase' was uncomfortable to watch.
The film is incredible shot with some long takes and stunning landscape visuals. The stigma of art house holds true. It's extremely artistic looking and the way it handles the subject matter. Because most of what is going on is left vague, the viewer is left make their own judgment. I'm still up in the air a bit about who these entities are. At one time I thought Johansson was a succubus because the nature of her actions. But with the opening shown as a eye, letting the viewer know that the view they see is not one of the world I suspect that she is a 'alien'.
The only issues I had was when the film starts some of the Scottish accents were hard to decipher. It is a bit of a learning curve. But that quickly falls by the wayside when the story develops. One particular scene (the beach scene) threw me for a loop. I couldn't understand how this entity could be so cold. It was somewhat animalistic. Realizing that she isn't a from this world her actions made more sense. Gorgeously shot the moment will draw up all sorts of emotions from the viewer. Much of the film is like that shocking but appealing.
I didn't know what to think when I sat down with the film. I had read reviews that just disoriented me. Many critics and film fans had this on their list of best films of 2014. I can now see why. Any easy going viewer will hate this. There disdain may spread to other like minded individuals but not everyone.
Film students, fans of great cinema should eat this up. In a world where we get tons of Hollywood fluff it's nice there are still filmmakers out there that reach and succeed. Jonathan Glazer has here a film that does a great balance of intrigue, visual stun and mystify all at the same time. I don't know why it took me this long to watch it but I'm so happy I finally did.