Reader Request: Mysterious Skin (2004)

So today is the first official reader request, David Araki's Mysterious Skin. I think I should just say beforehand that it does deal with some heavy issues (namely child sexual abuse, sexual violence and paedophile themes) and that it's ok to find yourself uncomfortable, this isn't going to be a film that everyone can enjoy.

So this follows the lives of two boys, both finding their lives changed irreparably by sexual abuse. The first boy, Brian (Brady Corbet) has blacked out the event and is convinced he was abducted by aliens. Neil (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)on the other hand, longs for the relationship he had with his baseball coach, confusing it for love. While Brian is trying to figure out what happened, Neil search for love and finds himself in New York. When the two meet again, they realise that what has shaped them is not what it seemed to be.

Mysterious Skin does deal with issues people might find disturbing and may not be comfortable watching something like this. I completely understand, paedohilia is a horrific thing. But the way it's dealt with in this film is so sensitive and heartbreaking. The director went to great lengths to keep the child actors from being exposed to anything, everything is implied rather than explicitly stated. It's a brave move to tackle such a difficult and sensitive topic and I have to commend Araki for dealing with all in a mature and touching way.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the hero of the film, he is utterly convincing as the self-possessed Neil. The other actors also give believable performances but Gordon-Levitt is the clearly the standout.

And the soundtrack is amazing, it's scored by Harold Budd and Robin Guthrie (of the Cocteau Twins) and features Sigur Ros. It compliments the cinematography and really creates this dreamlike, atmospheric state that softens the harsh reality of the movie.

It is a wonderful film, but it's not something I could watch over and over again.