Comforting Skin

Now, I was lured in by the movie's rather interesting cover. I hadn't heard about "Comforting Skin" prior to stumbling upon it by random luck in mid-2019, eight years after the movie was released. I knew absolutely nothing about it, but the movie's cover suggested a horror movie, so I was onboard.

Well, it wasn't exactly a horror movie, it was more of a drama laced with a hint of mystery and thriller. But horror? No sir.

So how was the movie? Boring. Very boring and uneventful, and I managed to endure most of the movie, but had to give up on it with only 20 minutes to go. The movie just simply was so tedious and far from interesting that it was an ordeal to sit through it.

What made it somewhat bearable to watch was the performance of Victoria Bidewell, despite the fact that she had the script working heavily against her, and also because the movie was just loaded with a boring and faceless character gallery. But at least she stood out in this movie.

And the movie's cover, as I mentioned earlier, well... It is a hoax, because it oversells the movie by miles. The tattoo depicted on the cover is nothing like it is in the movie, and it is simply just false advertising to spice up the interest in the movie. I was suckered in. So you have been warned now, so you don't walk into the same trap.

I can't really find a reason for recommending that you take the time to sit down and watch "Comforting Skin", because the movie simply doesn't have any value or proper selling arguments. Do yourself a favor and steer well clear of this 2011 movie.

A complete waste of time. Who funds this crap? There is no gore, violence, just a bunch of bad tats cgi crawling all over the tattooed girl the whole movie and some sex. That's it. I was hoping it would at least build up to a decent climax and that didn't even happen. This movie was so bad and boring I admit I had to fast forward part of it. I saw this movie on netflix- most of the horror movies on netflix are about 80% bad but this is by far the worst I've seen.The only comfort was when it was over.

I'm not one of those people who likes any and every movie they watch. This movie is unlike any other I have seen, and the characters, while depressed and full of psychological issues, are relatable and likable. The story is unusual and touches on many real subjects people deal with daily. Great cinematography.

I really like this film and I'll tell you why. When seeing Canadian films we tend to see the dark and quiet and its almost like a European film but you can't quite put your finger on it. Oh yes, its Canadian. But Comforting Skin is different in a way that we haven't seen a film like this in a while. It is a strange yet familiar coming of age film, meaning out of young middle 20's. You know, the time of moving away from the chaos of poor judgement and freedom and into adulthood. The point where you are suddenly awake.

Its not your typical Canadian film or film at all and that is why its so refreshing. The acting is great. Tygh Runyan and Jane Sowerby do a good job at carrying the story and you never know whose perspective the story its being told from. However, Victoria Bidwell gives an exceptional and under-rated performance as Koffie, the distraught young lady who becomes obsessed with her imaginary or non-imaginary friend that is a the weaving tattoo that has come to life on her body. Franson writes and directs in such a way that you'll root for Koffie and you'll hate her and them and then there are redeeming traits from them that will bring you back to really empathizing for all of them.

This film will keep you guessing and will linger in your mind for days after. Those ones are the best.

Am another person who was really intrigued by the cool and eerie-looking cover for 'Comforting Skin'. What a great title! The concept was also interesting and seemed to promise an unsettling and daring film, would not have minded in this case about whether it was original or not. Have seen some films recently that when advertised don't look very good visually, but 'Comforting Skin' didn't strike me as amateurish looking at it.

'Comforting Skin' was a disappointment however for me, and this is my respectful opinion and not one that is going to say anything malicious or personal about the film or those commenting. Not a terrible disappointment, but a disappointment nonetheless. With a lot done wrong but with its moments and decent things. If describing 'Comforting Skin' in one word it would be lacklustre, while admiring and appreciating what it set out to do.

The best thing about 'Comforting Skin' is the acting, which surprisingly was much better than average. Actually thought it quite good, and thought that Victoria Bidewell gave a deeply felt and appropriately unsettling performance. Did find myself rooting for her, and don't usually say that with similar characters. It also didn't look cheap, much effort was put into the photography and atmospheric, and thankfully not too dark, lighting.

Didn't thankfully find myself irritated or bored by the music score, this is a component that is very important for me to talk about in film and television having grown up around music, being in a musical family and with it being a major part of my life as a singer slowly building up her career despite obstacles. It added to the unsettlement and had an eeriness that one wishes was present in the other components, while not being too intrusive.

On the other hand, the story and pace are real letdowns. Was hoping for more creepiness and suspense than 'Comforting Skin' actually provided, both of which only came in spurts if even that. Really admired the concept and that the film tried to touch upon the themes and ideas it had, but much more could have been done with them because a lot of it felt underdeveloped. In terms of the pacing, too much of 'Comforting Skin' felt dull and padded, with too many uneventful stretches. Credit is due that my intelligence was not insulted, but my interest wavered too early.

Script tended to be rather awkward and needed tightening, some lines did have the cringe-factor, while some of the effects were tacky and jarred with the rest of the production values. The direction is not incompetent but was workmanlike at best on the dramatic and momentum front.

In conclusion, had its good things but in sore need of more lustre. 4/10