L'enfant cauchemar

The ambiguity defines this webb of many subplots. A splendid cinematography and fall of a boy, step by step from childhood. Difficult to define it, it is more than a horror and maybe a dark trip across near realities comfortable to ignore. Important - the gorgeous cinematography and the inspired performances.

At times this cruel, bizarre, yet, striking film with its hypnotic cinematography of vast, golden wheat fields and lonely, bleak farmhouses was a literal work of art.

Yes. In many ways, "The Reflecting Skin" was what you would call a "horror" film, but, unlike so many horror films of today it, thankfully, relied more on stylized craft (which, I'm sure, isn't likely to satisfy the blood-lust of most horror movie fans) rather than on gut-churning spectacle.

For anyone who enjoys and appreciates "alternate" horror, "The Reflecting Skin" (most definitely) delivers its weird, grotesque, and grim-faced story with a unique flare as it skillfully weaves together the ragged threads of shattered childhood innocence, small-town eeriness, and Romantic/Gothic dread.

To be sure - "The Reflecting Skin" is far from being flawless, but, all the same, its fascinating imagery and disturbing unpleasantness is sure to leave a strong and lasting impression on the mind long after it's all over.

I don't get why this is classified as horror? I watched this because I heard it was a drama about child abuse, which I suppose is partially true. It is filled with truly terrible people, but there is no horror in the traditional sense to speak of. Yes, people get lit on fire, animals are either tortured or torture is described, and and that's just the tip of the ice burg here. However, you may read that going "Sounds like horror to me", it isn't presented in that way, however, it is written both hamfistedly moralistic and morally vague, what with the characters who describe awful things as though they are talking about a recipe for scones at times.

Many will call this artsy fartsy, and I suppose they are not wrong, it definitely has ambitions for high art. If you have watched any of the films by Todd Solondz and liked them, you will enjoy this(I don't like Solondz, but I did enjoy this film, so it isn't a prerequisite). His films are all shock, and little style, whereas the reflecting skin is a highly allegorical tale shot in a beautiful and artistic matter. The shots of fields of grain are just breathtakingly beautiful.

The acting here is fantastic, especially given the surreal and bizarre events of the film. Even the child actors do a great job. Again, technically this film is so well-made, it is one of the prettiest films, at times, I have watched. who thought a wheat field could look so beautiful? Some people may see flaws in the script due to it's horrible characters, but it is obvious this film was not written to have characters you like... So that is not a flaw in the script, it is personal preference of the viewer. The main child character, somehow garners sympathy, even though he is just as awful, if not more so than the adults.

This film stands the test of time, and far exceeds many of the films that were it's contemporaries in most regards, but as technically proficient as it is, it is not a film for the masses. If you look at this as an allegory for the end of childhood innocence and death, it will probably make a heck of a lot more sense.

God Bless ~Amy

Trying to describe THE REFLECTING SKIN is impossible. You must experience it for yourself. I can say that it's about a kid named Seth. Seth does something horrible to a frog and then some really bad things happen to Seth,involving a mummified baby,his neighbor- a woman named Dolphin Blue-and a pack of teenagers in an ominous black car. THE REFLECTING SKIN is a pastoral film,but underneath the

beauty is genuine menace.

Ok that anyone thought this was funny must mean that they are two years old or that they are mentally slow and cant think. There is alot of people on here who post reviews who cant think. It must be some new disease you get by watching eddie murphy movies like haunted Mansion. This film is beautifully shot and captures the isolation and pain of growing up when you are stuck in the middle of a family crisis. The film is easy to follow and makes perfect sense throughout. There is never anything that is hard to understand or relate to if you have even half a brain. The metaphors with the vampires are very easy to understand. I would say its even something a 12 year old would understand although this film is not for kids. I wont list any details cuz i dont want to spoil it for you but if you enjoy dark films with something more to say that life sucks then this film will touch you and leave you breathless i think. Its one of my favorites and i hope you give it a try. You wont be disappointed.