Madagascar Skin

Rating:
Summary: Beauty IS in the eye of the Beholder
Review: I have been a fan of Bernard Hill for many years...ever since the movie Shirley Valentine. I stumbled across Madagascar Skin by accident. At first, I wasn't sure about buying this film because every review I ran across wasn't very positive. However, I was pleasantly suprised and I am glad I took a chance on this film.

The movie does unfold a little slowly at the start but the acting is strong and Bernard Hill is a delight. The basic story is about two men that are outcasts from society, they find each other and end up falling in love despite one being gay and the other straight.

Yes, the film is a bit artsy and at times I wanted it to go a little deeper but it touched me, especially the end of the film. On one hand the end left me wanting more and caring about both characters and on the other hand it was appropriate and satisfying. Bravo to Harry and Flint for finding and holding on to their little piece of joy in this world.

Rating:
Summary: This One Isn't a Sleeper, Its A Snoozer
Review: This movie has some beautifully shot images. Now that I've got that out of the way let me get to the rest of the film. The film seems to go out of its way to be "different" and as a result gives left me feeling alienated from the story (if there was one) and it's characters. The film gives us two characters who, somehow, fall in love. The gay identified character with a birthmark on his face just seems drab and depressed while his love object is a repugnant grandpappy of sorts who likes to scarf down rodents and spiders (charming eh?). The two of them live like outcasts in some abandoned hut. They seem to be part of the earth and most of the film contains shots of earthy images. I felt like I was trapped in that hut with those two men and it felt horribly claustrophobic. Watching this film is akin to a feeling of creative monotony. Its like being stuck as a child in a vacant lot waiting for your parents who should have picked you up an hour ago. You've been playing "make believe" with your friend the whole time but it got old a long time ago and you are only going through the motions. Gay cinema has never looked so beautiful, disgusting, and dull all at the same time.

Rating:
Summary: This One Isn't a Sleeper, Its A Snoozer
Review: This movie has some beautifully shot images. Now that I've got that out of the way let me get to the rest of the film. The film seems to go out of its way to be "different" and as a result gives left me feeling alienated from the story (if there was one) and it's characters. The film gives us two characters who, somehow, fall in love. The gay identified character with a birthmark on his face just seems drab and depressed while his love object is a repugnant grandpappy of sorts who likes to scarf down rodents and spiders (charming eh?). The two of them live like outcasts in some abandoned hut. They seem to be part of the earth and most of the film contains shots of earthy images. I felt like I was trapped in that hut with those two men and it felt horribly claustrophobic. Watching this film is akin to a feeling of creative monotony. Its like being stuck as a child in a vacant lot waiting for your parents who should have picked you up an hour ago. You've been playing "make believe" with your friend the whole time but it got old a long time ago and you are only going through the motions. Gay cinema has never looked so beautiful, disgusting, and dull all at the same time.