Short reviews - Set 3 (The Skin I Live In, Headhunters, Zelig)

The Skin I Live In (2011)
Le piel que habito (2011)

Spain, 120min
Drama, Thriller
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Writers: Almodóvar, Thierry Jonquet (novel Tarantula)
Stars: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet

 

There’s really no point in talking about a plot of this movie since there’s just no way in which one could describe what happened to another. I believe this is the most morbid movie I have ever seen and definitely no other left so unpleasant feeling. There’s no gore, no common horror scenes, just events and characters which make sure that you don’t forget them soon.
Almodóvar is great filmmaker and he proved that once again. Banderas is way better than usual and we can only hope that he’s going to refresh his career in Spain and become more than the guy who was El Mariachi almost 20 years ago.
The Skin I Live In is more for horror fans than for thriller lovers but who ever is going to watch it will walk for some time with this story on mind.

Headhunters (2011)
Hodejegerne (2011)

Norway, Germany, 100min
Crime, Thriller
Director: Morten Tyldum
Writers: Lars Gudmestad, Jo Nesbø (novel)
Stars: Aksel Hennie, Synnøve Macody Lund, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

 

 

Finally Jo Nesbø found a way to a film. Headhunters is the story about business headhunter who occasionally work as a art thief. One day he run onto ex-military headhunter with a $100 million worth painting which, of course, he couldn’t resist. Soon he realized that his target isn’t target anymore, but he is.
Very interesting and dynamic but with few major goofs. Works like a pure thriller with a lot of suspense what, although very unrealistic at first sight, look natural and possible at the end. There are also some comedy elements, a little bit of drama and romance and nice amount of action in typically dark and anxious Scandinavian atmosphere.
It’s far from being a must see and Nesbø definitely deserves better but it’s above average crime-thriller and good entertainment. 



Zelig (1983)
USA; 79min
Comedy, Fantasy
Director: Woody Allen
Writer: Woody Allen
Stars: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Patrick Horgan 

Very interesting Woody Allen's mockumentary about Leonard Zelig, a man who changes his physical appearance in order to fit in.
It’s great idea presented in best possible way. It's interesting and funny but also a great caricature review of a modern man and his uncontrollable need to fit in. Too bad that most Woody Allen’s films are average romantic dramas/comedies because film like this are really necessary to the modern cinematography and Woody is obviously capable to make the.