Mysterious Skin (2004, Gregg Araki)

Runtime: 99 Minutes – Country: USA – A: For Adults Only

Based on a novel by Scott Heim, this motion picture is about two boys, Neil (age 8: Chase Ellison, adult: Joseph Gorden-Levitt) and Brian (age 8: George Webster, adult: Brady Corbet) who were physically abused during their time being junior members in a local baseball-team. Accordingly growing up under very different circumstances, there still is an invisible connection between them, which obviously is referable to the serious events in the past; finally bringing them together again as adults.

Even though that this is a sad and difficult topic to deal with, this film seems to be different from many others ever since it started. The overall focus is not laid on describing common victimhoods or dealing with straight abuser characterizations, of course it is no documentation – it rather tries to give a more personal and unique view based on the experiences and perception of the author. And that is what this film, which was brilliantly transfered from the book version by Gregg Araki, is trying to show. It does not want to be taken for universally valid, it is more likely appearing like some kind of disturbing diary.

Neil and Brian, two totally different characters

Neil seems to be the though teenager who does not seem to be really bothered about what happened – what is difficult to imagine. Sometimes you might even get the feeling that he is seeing his former abductor as a preceptor, showing him the right way - which he would follow, without making himself a lot of thoughts. We can see that Neil is homosexual when he is older, and that he even prostitutes himself, getting a lot of trouble with that. But it is never stated clearly to which extent the abuse had an influence on him, I guess that is left up to the viewers – such as in most parts of the film. It does not make any fixed or rushed conclusions, but rather leaves you a chance to make your own mind. One thing that appears to be slightly exaggerated or rather unrealistic, concerning the description of the character Neil: I think that a total focus on a certain gender cannot really be emerged at that age already (he was about 8 at that time – see one of the first scenes of the film). Sure, one could feel slightly addicted, or just be curious. But a total sexual certainty which does never change, nor get unsteady (at least we don’t know about this, maybe it is clearer stated in the book); at that early age ? At the same time this could be interpreted as slightly provocative, since it could implicate that posterior homosexual orientated man are not experiencing a childhood abuse as what is really is, but rather as a dubios path to truth, to which they just needed a certain acknowledgement. And this is something that can only be wrong, obviously.

Brian is the character who is referring to are more common estimation, concerning the effects of a mental or physical abuse. He remains silent about what had happend back then, seeming to have only a blurry image left. One can guess that he knows what happened, but he keeps pushing the truth away; to come to a more allegeable conclusion. And that is that he must have been captured by aliens. This selfmade truth (which he carries out a lot) automatically brought him the titel weirdo. But that actually is an inflicted fact; he just tried to substitute the things he could never understand – by the mechanism of repression. For him it is just like he alone – what obviously is not the case – had undergone the abuse; so that nobody can understand or help him. But by making the whole alien version up, he subliminal left himself a chance, for all those mysteries to become unfolded some day – at least that is what I guess. Contrary to Neil, the abuse seemed to obviously has changed his life forever, in all meanings; what is just indescribable sad to see. And, at the same time one of the moments where you feel this certain inner rage; thinking about child abuse and people who let them suffer, with them being totally helpless. Not only referring to this film; but in a more general way – another thing that this film manages brilliantly; without being to explicitly here.

And we can see more about the relationship and consequences towards the end of the film, when Neil and Brian are coming together again; finally finding each other – and also themselves. This film just leaves you speechless. Referring to the two different characterizations again, one could definitely argue about which one of these is closer to reality – but it is not about right or wrong here, both versions seem to be very realistic. And there certainly are a lot more imaginable possibilities; the author just captioned two different ones, which are still complementary in many ways. I think it is good that such a controversial film actually came out – since it can initiate some serious and necessary discussions at least; and could maybe draw the attention of some viewers to the original work – the book.

Altogether, and without spoiling the end: I can say that this is controversial, serious and worth watching film; without very specified conclusions; a great music, brilliant directing and of course: an outstanding acting part. Of course I would not count it to one of my favourite films which I would maybe like to see more often; mainly because the subject matter is very tough, sad and disturbing – 8.0/10.

You can buy this DVD at Amazon.com – in the original or the special edition version – Watch the trailer