Dammit, I was trying to avoid reviewing Under The Skin ever since I watched it. No matter what I say about it I’ll be accused of only liking the film because its oblique and art-house by at least one person . However the fact is I liked it. I think. Yes its pretentious, yes its self-indulgent, but I was captivated from start to finish. Its that kind of movie that is almost impossible to review without sounding like a dick but i’m going to try anyway. Buckle in.
The story is very basic. Scarlett Johansson plays an alien in human skin that drives around Scotland in a van picking up men who she takes home and…. I’d like to say that i’m avoiding a spoiler but in reality I’m still not sure what she does with them. We see her doing this a few times before one encounter changes something in her and she goes off mission. If I’m sounding vague that’s because this is a movie that’s difficult to interpret, and its obvious that this is the purpose of the film. Johansson’s character barely talks apart from when she needs to to do the job she’s here for. In lieu of an obvious emotional performance director Jonathan Glazer uses imagery to convey feeling. We see shots of various Glaswegians (despite this not being a horror film), sunrises, and motorways.
All of these images are presented for the viewer without much explanation. At what point is it fair to say a filmmaker is trying to confuse an audience because there’s no actual substance? When is it apparent you’re being tricked into seeing meaning where there actually isn’t any? Well those are questions that I can’t answer but I feel like Under The Skin is the genuine article. Is the film about the frequent beauty and brutality of the human race? As the running time increases the beauty of the landscapes increases at the same time as the evil of men increases. Is this on purpose or am I looking too much into it. Oh wait, Scarlett’s boobs! What was I saying again?
Recommending Under The Skin is difficult as many people will hate it while some will love it. I fall somewhere in between. I loved the imagery and Johansson’s portrayal of the alien. I didn’t love some of the self-indulgent loooooonnnnngggg takes that Glazer uses adding bloat without reward. Ultimately its a troubling, unique, experience that treads a fine line between pretension and art. Its also a cautionary tale warning about how sexy alien chicks in vans who seduce you might then horribly dispose of you. From what I saw in the movie I think i’ll take my chances in the van.
7/10
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Screenkicker! 
My feelings exactly.
How many times did you seduce yourself during this movie?
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I was getting there but then the guy with the big face showed up
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So just twice?
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You lost me at “Scotland.” But got me back with ALF!
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Whew! I knew i could entice you with a bit of ALF
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I’m going to accuse you of watching this because Scarlett Johansson is in it! Oh wait, that’s why I want to see it, too…
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I love Scarlett, I bet she wouldn’t leave me to go to New Zealand! 🙂
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I think you only liked this film because its oblique and art-house.
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Fuck off back to America!
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I’m with you 100% on this, michael. i’ve written about this film twice, once on my own blog, and again in more detail for Movie Rob: http://ragingfluff.wordpress.com/2014/07/21/genre-grandeur-under-the-skin-2014-second-review/
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My sister said this was weird. So I hesitate. But good review, bro! How did I know we’d get at least one semi-naked ScarJo pic in here? 😉
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Is it wrong that I went on to a movie site simply to skim through this in order to see what Scarlett looks like naked?
Sorry if it is…I’m fine with being villainous for a change. However, I should actually pay for and watch this eventually.
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Its a weird movie and I’m glad I watched it but I don’t know if I would want to watch it again. I liked the first half better than the second. The last half just dragged on a bit too much for me. But there was some really good scenes and I thought the music was great and very creepy at times. Great review!
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Cool you enjoyed this. It’s one of my favourite films this year to date; haven’t seen anything else like it. The atmosphere Glazer creates is something else.
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I’m still not sure what I watched but its definitely memorable!
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I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being able to recognise a film’s flaws and decide it entertained you anyway. Still need to see this one.
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I’d be interested in hearing what you think of it. It’s certainly memorable
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yay, you did it…i don’t think you sounded like a dick at all. It’s probably a good idea not to put the panties shot of Scarlett at the top of the post….some people wouldn’t have read the post beyond that photo. *you know who you are..just sayin’ LOL
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I was gonna put up a fully nude pic of Scarjo but thought it would be too distracting 🙂
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Hahahahahaha good call!
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Interested in seeing this. Good review, glad you didn’t totally hate it, so I will give it a chance. But honestly I think you would totally get in that van!!!
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Yeah of course i’d get in. She’d end up more scared of me than i’m of her!
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[…] turn of events I’m reviewing my first ever romantic comedy! Yes it could be argued that Under The Skin is one (it has nude Scarlett Johansson and hilarious Glasgow accents) but I have to draw a line […]
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Glad you liked this one Mikey. It’s a really interesting film you can watch on so many different levels. It’s one of those films that you’ll take different things away from each time you watch too. Great review.
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I’m still thinking about it which is testament to the kind of film it is. I need to see it again!
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Great review, Mike! I’ve been desperate to see this since it was in cinemas nowhere freaking near me! I love the director’s music videos. Finally saw it. Think we liked it about the same amount. I loved that it’s what I expected – The Man Who Fell To Earth (with added tits). I’ll try to get a review out for it soon. Yeah – a VERY hard one to review so not sure how to go about it. : )
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Great review. You and Eric sound like you were pretty much in agreement with this one.
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Totally agree, the film could look quite pretentious but well, I personally love it. It’s a unique cinematic experience!!
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