Sensitive Skin

SENSITIVE SKIN (2014-2016) is an interesting and thoughtful drama, as well as a bitter-sweet comedy, based on the British series by the same name. Kim Cattrall (as Davina Jackson) and Don McKeller (as Al Jackson) were both excellent in their roles. Kim Cattrall is definitely powerful in this role.

"Davina and Al try to revamp their lives and marriage as they struggle with the uncertainties of middle age."

This series, although the subject matter is somewhat upsetting and hard to watch, was a show that does get you thinking. Overall it was an interesting and moving series. Definitely worth the watch, though it does get upsetting at times. A good show.

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.

The show is based on an original British series of the same name that Kim Cattrall had interest in producing an American remake since a long time. Seems that while in agreements with HBO to perform Samantha Jones in Sex And The City movies, one of Cattrall's requirements was HBO to help her produce the show. HBO found the show unviable to their American schedule, but could make it thru its Canadian subsidiary.

The 6 episodes series is about a former model and actress in a middle age crisis that works in a art gallery and is married to a writer. She is always putting herself under constantly physical self analysis when she faces that time is passing thru her eyes. That's kinda ironic because Kim Cattrall is an actress and former ex-model in her 50's and also considered one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation.

In the very beginning of the first episode, Davina is being advised about the consequences of the use of hormones. The camera angle and the character's position makes Davina looks quite fragile, very different from what we usually see about Cattrall's natural exuberance. Her last lines before the show uses its own scenes for the opening sequence is quite interesting, giving the one and only resemblance of what we so used to see about Samantha Jones, a character that is far away from any references in this show after that. At first the aspects of the show would lead us to understand it as a drama, but in fact it has a very slight dark and cringe humor, but few of them are delivered by Davina. Most of its humor is delivered by Don Mackellar's instead and other supporting ones that make some guest appearances during the episodes. Mackellar's presence makes the show itself get lost in its primary idea, and the story about a middle age woman then becomes about her and also her husband instead. The story wastes much of its time with parallel situations reducing its potentials and overshadowing Cattrall's character. Seems that Davina does not have strength to lead the show, but that's not because she is uninteresting, but because writers couldn't make her life and personal crisis interesting enough.

Takes some time to get caught by the show. In 6 episodes, more than half of it makes its supporting characters stronger than its main character, giving the impression that we are watching 2 different shows in one: one about Davina and the other one about her pathetic husband's misadventures, which is a shame, because Davina has an incredible underused depth.

It is beautifully filmed. Kim Cattrall is amazing as always, but as I said, she is overshadowed by elements that definitely should not be used to fade her, but to support. Unfortunately the show does not deliver what it promises in the very beginning of its first episode, which is the opportunity to make Kim Cattrall shines and make her character the center of a very interesting discussion about the difficulties of dealing with the pressures of society and the media about aging.

Interesting show, but lost in its own ideas.

I am really enjoying this program.

I have just become a widow at 58 years of age (lost my husband to an accident) so also unexpected. I can totally relate to what Davina is feeling and going thru. I like how she is able to talk to her deceased husband and discuss their lives, past and present. And how Davian is trying different things and life styles as now she is alone and young enough to know she has a long life ahead of her. What will she do? What will I do?

I can't believe what a great job Kim is doing is portraying a grieving widow, I forget that she is acting. Thank you for this program, it is helping me carry on! Thank you Kim! keep up the good work !

You have to watch this show! Wonderful, intelligent, heartwarming. Just wish it hadn't ended after two seasons. Great cast and fabulous acting.