Blake Edwards' SKIN DEEP (1989) Blu-Ray Review
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:51 am
SKIN DEEP
7/10
This is one of Blake Edwards' better, un-PC "man-child" comedies, and one of the only watchable films from late in his career.
Essentially a remake of "10" (and other films from the director in a similar vein), "Skin Deep" functions primarily as a vehicle for John Ritter, here playing a sexist, immature writer who leaps from one escapade to another, skirting moral responsibility before finally tackling his demons -- drinking and sex. The predicaments are mostly comedic in nature, including an infamous "glow in the dark condom" sequence (with ILM effects!) that was talked-about at the time of its release and remains one of the funniest sight gags in Edwards' filmography.
Ritter is quite wonderful in "Skin Deep," displaying his gift for physical comedy and natural appeal, even though Edwards' script isn't as focused as "10", suffers from a stiff leading lady (dancer Alyson Reed, in one of her only big-screen leading roles), and shows clear signs of post-production finessing. The work of Henry Mancini, credited in the original advertising, was nearly entirely discarded in lieu of Ivan Neville's terrific pop song "Falling Out of Love" and assorted instrumental versions (Mancini's name doesn't appear in the finished film with former "My Three Sons" cast member Don Grady receiving a music credit for "arrangements").
A more tell-tale sign is that Ritter's beard has clearly been faked in most scenes during the final 20 minutes -- evidence that Edwards brought the cast back to reshoot, and rework, the ending after his star had dropped his facial hair for another pursuit in the interim. The end result is something of a patchwork but there are some funny scenes and, like most Edwards movies, it looks great in widescreen.
"Skin Deep" was a Morgan Creek production that Fox theatrically released, MEDIA Home Entertainment brought to VHS/laserdisc, and Warner eventually issued in a now out-of-print DVD. The rights have reverted to its production company and it's entirely likely this cult-fave Ritter comedy might finally surface on Blu-Ray in the U.S., as Mill Creek and Sony have been licensing titles from Morgan Creek's back catalog.
In the meantime, there's a decent German BD available with a nice transfer and stereo soundtrack, though it is Region B locked (and shipping from the Amazons remains a premium expense in the COVID era).
7/10
This is one of Blake Edwards' better, un-PC "man-child" comedies, and one of the only watchable films from late in his career.
Essentially a remake of "10" (and other films from the director in a similar vein), "Skin Deep" functions primarily as a vehicle for John Ritter, here playing a sexist, immature writer who leaps from one escapade to another, skirting moral responsibility before finally tackling his demons -- drinking and sex. The predicaments are mostly comedic in nature, including an infamous "glow in the dark condom" sequence (with ILM effects!) that was talked-about at the time of its release and remains one of the funniest sight gags in Edwards' filmography.
Ritter is quite wonderful in "Skin Deep," displaying his gift for physical comedy and natural appeal, even though Edwards' script isn't as focused as "10", suffers from a stiff leading lady (dancer Alyson Reed, in one of her only big-screen leading roles), and shows clear signs of post-production finessing. The work of Henry Mancini, credited in the original advertising, was nearly entirely discarded in lieu of Ivan Neville's terrific pop song "Falling Out of Love" and assorted instrumental versions (Mancini's name doesn't appear in the finished film with former "My Three Sons" cast member Don Grady receiving a music credit for "arrangements").
A more tell-tale sign is that Ritter's beard has clearly been faked in most scenes during the final 20 minutes -- evidence that Edwards brought the cast back to reshoot, and rework, the ending after his star had dropped his facial hair for another pursuit in the interim. The end result is something of a patchwork but there are some funny scenes and, like most Edwards movies, it looks great in widescreen.
"Skin Deep" was a Morgan Creek production that Fox theatrically released, MEDIA Home Entertainment brought to VHS/laserdisc, and Warner eventually issued in a now out-of-print DVD. The rights have reverted to its production company and it's entirely likely this cult-fave Ritter comedy might finally surface on Blu-Ray in the U.S., as Mill Creek and Sony have been licensing titles from Morgan Creek's back catalog.
In the meantime, there's a decent German BD available with a nice transfer and stereo soundtrack, though it is Region B locked (and shipping from the Amazons remains a premium expense in the COVID era).