Sensitive Skin

Honestly if I wouldn't have turned the TV on that one time at around midnight, before going to sleep, I would never bother trying watching it. But it captivated my interests right away. Very interesting style (I would try to describe it as a weird blend between Coen Brothers cinematography and a slight Woody Allen vibe), story made up from small encounters, black humor, make up for a really witty and well written show. Since the first episode I just binge-watched as it is quite addicting. The story is surprising and funny, acting is super, characters are interesting, style is super unique and refreshing. A very pleasant surprise.

Funny, witty, and poignant, though I feel that my age group will pick up what is laid down much more deeply than younger viewers. Some things in life are only really understood when you have either been there, or are able to imagine it because you know it is coming, probably sooner than you hope. Scenes like the old woman dying, and lines like, 'we are all at deaths door. Some of us just have our hand on the doorknob', make this show one of the best on tv.

Based upon a British series, Sensitive Skin presents an affecting and strikingly-filmed series based upon the reflective angst of ageing and progressing through middle age. However, while centrally a drama, there is also a seam of comedy, and this often provides narrative problems as the central actors, Kim Cattrall and Doug McKellar (playing spouses Davina and Al) often seem to be in two completely different narratives. With regard to McKellar, he is frequently caught up in zany and wacky sitcom-style farce, while Cattrall is part of a meditative and emotional drama, and Cattrall wins out. Her scenes are often starkly beautiful and her performance is stellar, but then they are undercut by jarring, unrealistic and sometimes tiresome comedy antics (although Elliott Gould's turn as a dubious doctor works well). It is obvious that Al (and son, Orlando) are meant to exacerbate Davina's ennui, but the tonal shifts make the series uneven and more focus on Davina's point-of-view would have elevated it. Nevertheless, Sensitive Skin is still highly engaging and effectively produced - I just would have liked to have seen more of Davina and her world-view.

There really are not that many, but certain shows just sneak up after awhile and grab you. Sensitive Skin is one of those productions, in both the characters and the story-line. You start off somewhat unimpressed, but then you begin to connect, and you cannot stop being drawn in. And towards the end of the first series, you are caught up in both plot and the lives of some individuals you thought you would not have that much interest at the very beginning. And it's not that she has been ignored, but for much of her career Kim Cattrall has not been center stage as much as she deserves to be.. but here she shines, and it's one of her finest overall works to date. This is her show, nuanced and subtle, she is just outstanding. Where it leads to a second season can only be guessed at, but it is very much anticipated by those that have come to truly appreciate this fine little TV series.

Kim gives a truely wonderful performance, she is both subtle and overtly emotional in all the right places. She lays bare the heart and soul of her character, making her both tough as nails, then frail and vulnerable. Davina becomes a character that is immensely relateable as she navigates the uncertainties and regrets and hopes of those of us who are sliding between middle age and seniorhood.

There are also a couple of very entertaing supporting turns by Elliot Gould at his low-key , subtle comedic best, and the wonderful Mary Walsh in top form, delivering her lines with her characteristic acerbic wit and aplomb.

There was a problem for me though, with the performance of Don McKellar as Al. It was such an unevenly developed characterization, he seemed at times to be going for a Woody Allen vibe, but lacked the necessary spontenaity, wit, and energy. At other times he tried to be profound and philosophical, but the lines that were supposed to be breezy and off-the-cuff, just came across as a badly written speech and were delivered with all the subtlety of pieces of falling concrete.

But thankfully Kim was almost always onscreen, and she singlehandedly carried the entire weight of the story, with a less skilled actress at the helm, the entire premise of this series could have easily slipped into soapy melodrama. But instead it was a very engaging exploration of the human experience of aging.