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Skins (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:57
Fresh:34
Rotten:23
Average Rating:5.9/10
Consensus: Though at times melodramatic, Skins' harsh depiction of life on the reservation is an eye-opener.
Theatrical Release:Sep 27, 2002 Limited
Synopsis: SKINS, based on the novel by Adrian C. Louis, is the impressive second feature of Native American director Chris Eyre (SMOKE SIGNALS). Filmed on location at the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota reservation... SKINS, based on the novel by Adrian C. Louis, is the impressive second feature of Native American director Chris Eyre (SMOKE SIGNALS). Filmed on location at the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota reservation in South Dakota, SKINS tells the story of Rudy (Eric Schweig), a policeman, and his older brother Mogie (Graham Greene of THE GREEN MILE), a jobless alcoholic. Mogie had once looked after his kid brother, but his experiences in Vietnam left him a bitter and broken man. Rudy frequently gives money to his mischievous older brother, which Mogie spends on beer. Frustrated with rampant alcoholism and crime on the "rez," Rudy becomes a vigilante. While Rudy thinks he's doing the right thing for his people, his extralegal activities lead to tragedy. SKINS is a powerful drama laced with acerbic humor. The film captures the harsh realities of Pine Ridge life with affection and wit, and breaks down negative stereotypes about Native Americans by portraying Mogie as a complex and ultimately very sympathetic human being. Eyre manages to make important points about contemporary Native American life without heavy handedness. His cast is very strong, particularly Greene, who delivers a phenomenal performance in this exceptionally moving and humane film. [More]
Starring: Eric Schweig, Graham Greene, Noah Watts, Lois Red Elk
Starring: Eric Schweig, Graham Greene, Noah Watts, Lois Red Elk, Gary Farmer, Michelle Thrush, Elaine Miles
Director: Chris Eyre
Director: Chris Eyre
Screenwriter: Jennifer D. Lyne
Producer: Jon Kilik, David Pomier
Composer: B.C. Smith
Studio: First Look
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Reviews for Skins
For a location-made movie offering scenes and characters a refreshing world apart from the usual tinsel, Skins does its subject proud.
Director Chris Eyre is going through the paces again with his usual high melodramatic style of filmmaking.
Eric Schweig and Graham Greene both exude an air of dignity that's perfect for the proud warrior that still lingers in the souls of these characters.
Might have been better off as a documentary, with less of Mr. Eyre's uninspired dramatics and more of his sense of observation and outrage.
Patchy combination of soap opera, low-tech magic realism and, at times, ploddingly sociological commentary.
It lacks the compassion, good-natured humor and the level of insight that made [Eyre's] first film something of a sleeper success.
The movie becomes talky and preachy, making grand statements without any of the passion for storytelling that Smoke Signals had.
It’s another video movie photographed like a film, with the bad lighting that’s often written off as indie film naturalism.
Less than engaging and certainly choppy, increasingly melodramatic and, I hate to say it, but often amateurish, the film squanders its potential and makes one hope that Eyre isn't regressing in his filmmaking abilities and efforts.
As social exposé, Skins has its heart in the right place, but that's not much to hang a soap opera on.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
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| 90% 90% | District 9 |
| 86% 86% | 500 Days of Summer |
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