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| Movie Review: Mysterious Skin Alternate Title: Suffer the Little Children
Story: If you have the guts
to take on the consequences of the subject of child molestation you
cannot miss this unforgettably poignant movie. Director and writer Gregg
Araki (from the novel by Scott Helm) creates
a moving, no holds barred picture of what happens to two eight year
old kids after they were molested one summer by their little league
baseball coach. One teen turns to a life as a street hustler
and the other repressed his memory and thinks he was abducted by aliens.
How they cope, lead their young lives and eventually try to come to
terms with what happened to them is riveting, at times graphic and mighty
powerful stuff. I recommend this film to all who are interested
in a tough subject. I can't get it out of my head. Acting: Joseph Gordon Levitt (the
kid from TV's Third Rock From the Sun) gives a knock your socks
off performance as the street hustling kid. His presence on screen was
intense. Brady Corbett as the teen with repressed memory
is right on the money in his nerdy, withdrawn performance.
Predilection: None.
Food: Kellogg's Variety Pack has a big role.
Blatant Product Placement: The aforementioned Kellogg's
cereal. Opening Titles: An interesting memory montage of
the little boys.
Visual Art: Right on target with house decor for
Anywhere, USA.
Theater Audience: A packed house with 99% men. The
advantage of an all male audience is that the ladies room is empty after
the film and the men's room has a line.
Sappy Factor: Not a drop in sight.
Squirm Scale: This is a very squirmy topic and is
not for the faint of heart.
Drift Factor: Not for a second.
Predictability Level: I hoped for the best but was
not sure how this film would end.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Probably not a chance in hell.
Soap Box: Child molestation is a crime that carries
lifelong consequences. Children need all of the protection this society
can provide.
Nit Picking: Parts of the film were technically very amateurish
but the story and acting were so very strong that it can be easily overlooked. Big Screen or Rental: Either would be fine. I doubt
if this film will be playing anywhere but art houses around the nation.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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