Why did you like this film?
-
Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Under the Skin
random_guy2 — 10 years ago(December 05, 2015 09:32 AM)
This is aimed at those who strongly liked the film I would be interested in hearing what aspects of it you liked. I don't mean this in a confrontational or argumentative way, I am just curious to hear.
For myself, I love experimentation in film and tend to give credit to anything that isn't a cookie-cutter formula, but
Under the Skin
just didn't work for me. It was effectively moody in parts, but many, many shots and scenes dragged on far too long with no purpose. It felt like what could have been a good 20-minute short, dragged out to feature length by repeating scenes and eliminating all editing.
That being said, I know there are many who feel passionate about this movie, and I am honestly interested in what made them feel that way. -
Hasek — 10 years ago(December 12, 2015 06:13 AM)
Overall execution in alienating the viewer, nihilism, isolation, not worried about rating, superstar mainstream actress disappears into a character, satisfying and jarring emotional message/question. Vastly underrated.
-
Hasek — 10 years ago(December 12, 2015 06:16 AM)
You have to understand that "long" scenes exist for meditative purposesthey are not constructed for narrative purpose. This film document is a dissolving emotion on your tongue, of faraway and blurred vision and cold shores. The dense weave of all of its themes combines and connects into a perfectly cohesive article, but isn't a warm and fuzzy experience sure.
-
awsmith — 10 years ago(December 17, 2015 05:43 PM)
I was drawn in by the mystery of Scarlett's character and what she was up to. I found the whole thing intriguing and disturbing from start to finish. It's also just a beautiful film to watch. Had never heard of Scarlett before this film, but I'm an older guy and have never had any interest in watching all those superhero comic-book action flicks she's been in.
Death tugs at my ear & says: Live; I am coming. -
chrisj_oldham — 10 years ago(December 26, 2015 10:19 PM)
I agree with Hasek's comments. It reminded me of Kubrik (Clockwork Orange) or Gilliam (Brazil) on account of it's innovative style.
I do also agree that the ending is disappointing, though - probably my conditioning to Hollywood - but I don't know the book. Nevertheless, it is not inconsistent with the rest of the film.
The direction for me is first class: not cliche, patronizing or predictable, and Johanssen gives a very mature performance. She's a great character actress.
I'm not convinced Sci-fi is really the best genre to classify this piece of art. It stradles more camps than that, however, I sense that it aims to interpret its source accurately - or at least hold great respect for it.
At the thematic level, I am impressed that it is no respecter of taboos, but not in a tawdry, - even less - self-defeating way. Its subtle and masterful handling of the subject matter piques genuine interest and emotion without cheap sensationalism, stopping perfectly short of repelling the viewer.
The questions it asks couldn't be more relevant today, particularly for a Western audience;'Under the skin' may not break all box office records, but it is worth the effort to engage with the themes it presents. Not to do so would leave one the poorer. As a study in human nature it is certainly thought-provoking, particularly poignant is it's expose of our modern view of women. As social, environmental and economic comment it also succeeds.
Primarily for me, though, it confronts us with philosophical challenges to do with the nature of reality and the purpose or meaning in life. Does what we might call 'the other' or 'God' or 'a higher power' in the universe exist? Can we access it? Are we destined to a life of banality, or can things change? If so what would it take? Can human existence be transformed and rescued through self-discovery (alone), or does it take intervention from outside ourselves to bring about restoration, order, understanding, security? How, then, SHOULD we connect or relate with other people or the world around us?
Recommended watching for those of a discursive disposition. I wouldn't let my 7 yr old see it though. -
DaveBowman2001 — 10 years ago(January 04, 2016 11:21 AM)
I think I found out about this from a youtube video because of the nude scene with Scarlett to be honest, and the cinematography also drew me in. I thought it was quote good and out of the ordinary. I'm at the point where sequels, remakes, formulatic romcoms and super hero movies are just utterly annoying money grabs and a waste of time.
I found the music and visuals meditative in a Kubrick like way. I kinda already knew what the movie was about before I got it at the library, so I didn't go into it blind. I found it an interesting study of human psychology/behaviour and also a cool unique sci-fi perspectivethat wasn't really a sci-fi flick. I enjoy long slow camera work with subtle moody music. Very reminiscent of some Kubrick films, though not quite on that level as a whole movie, but parts were.
I like slow burning build up movies. As opposed to many quick cut, BS preposterous action scenes. There was a good message(s) in the movie. -
LeonardPine — 10 years ago(February 08, 2016 07:19 AM)
Very intriguing film. Loved the way it is shot. Really atmospheric.
I liked the interplay (real and otherwise) between SJ and her male admirers and especially the kindness shown by the guy in the small village who takes her home with him.
I thought the 'black room' sequences were very well done and quite chilling.
Loved the slow burn pace of the film and the fact it is still riveting.
Great performance from SJ. Such a brave young actress.
I think Kubrick would have admired this film.
It's certainly not for everyone and I'm sure the casual filmgoer would be bemused by this film.
Only downside is it wasn't long enough.
Was it a millionaire who said "Imagine no possessions"? -
paulbeardsley — 10 years ago(February 11, 2016 09:38 AM)
Hard to say. I am quite literal-minded most of the time, and very familiar with over-the-top pretentious extended pop videos, so I was surprised at how much I liked the film.
I think I recognised early on that it had its own logic; events in the film happened for their own reasons, and you either buy into that or you do not. The camerawork was beautiful and intriguing. There were a fair few surprises, some of them horrific - in particular, the abandoning of the crying baby, and the realisation that the men in the liquid were still there; I'd supposed those submerging scenes were metaphorical.
Also, it's refreshing to see a film that doesn't follow formula - it's nice to not know how things are going to pan out.
That's the clock done, now for the chairs. -
StaunchWoman — 10 years ago(February 11, 2016 09:47 AM)
I found the film very interesting from start to finish. I really wanted to know this story for some reason, even going into it knowing nothing. As things unfolded, I needed more.
Absolutely loved the scene where the nightclubber is brought back and gets submerged (an insane and interesting concept on its own). Looking up at her reminded me of a dream I once had where there was an ocean beneath an ocean. But I digress.
When this character saw what would eventually happen to him, THAT was an amazing scene! The first victim's body slowly losing itself, becoming smooth and featureless, then pouf! Bag 'o skin.
Fascinating!!
That and the ending were what I loved most about it. How sad it seemed to look back at herself once she removed her skin. And then, without any chance to process anything that's occurred, doused in gas and set aflame due to the fear of the unknown.
We've met before, haven't we? -
Neuronhead — 9 years ago(August 19, 2016 09:25 AM)
The understatedness. It had a story to tell and was confident enough to tell the story without all the formulaic filler that the general public seem to require to feel comfortable with a movie.
I choose to believe what I was programmed to believe -
LetThemEatCake01 — 9 years ago(August 31, 2016 12:19 AM)
I loved the photography, I liked how daring it was like showing erections in it, it was female centered, it captured the tedium and meaninglessness of existence without actually being tedious or meaningless.
-
MycroftHolmes — 9 years ago(September 06, 2016 11:36 AM)
I thought it was mesmerizing. I really had no idea what it was about when I started watching it. It really held my interest and kept me involved. I liked it very much.
What we got here is failure to communicate! -
Woodyanders — 9 years ago(September 17, 2016 05:21 PM)
I really liked this film because it showed just how odd, perplexing, frightening, and unfathomable the human race would appear to another alien species.
I've been chasing grace/ But grace ain't easy to find -
Stirchley — 9 years ago(September 26, 2016 03:31 PM)
I was captivated in the first few seconds. Such an unusual story & Scarlett was so brilliant in the movie. There's not that many movies around set in Scotland & I loved seeing the beauty of the forests & sea coast & the life of the people in the streets.
-
Yanyawa — 9 years ago(October 29, 2016 08:33 PM)
I went to see this movie with a good girlfriend of mine and had no idea what the hayle I was about to watch but right from the start, something felt freakishly 80s about it. That alone sparked my interest.
Then the soundtrack was freakishly delicious and by this point I was completely drawn in but still had no idea what I was watching and what was going on but I liked it. It was completely unorthodox from the usual Hollywood movies I've seen.
It was almost like I felt like one of her victims. Being drawn in and aroused by the beauty and mystery of it all but only to end up suspended in total darkness and confusion just like her victims. Yet at the same time feeling clueless like ScarJo's character trying to figure out this alien world and what was going on. I'm not sure if this was the director's intention of merging the viewer with the characters but if it was, it worked and this is why I loved it so much.
I can't think of another movie that intrigued me this way and drew me in as if I was walking in that unknown black dimension. Excellent is all I can say! -
exaybachay84 — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 06:29 PM)
The slow burn pacing. The ambiguity. The character development. The atmosphere. The feeling of alienation. The sombre tone. The settings. The captivating mood. The performances. The hypnotic rhythm. The questions raised. The imagery. The unpredictability. The many interpretative layers. The overall bizzare, off-beat and very haunting vibe. And the mystery - even though I've read the book before (which is different but also excellent).
Do you have any tobacco?