Click to read the article
Skins (2002)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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
Get This Movie
Reviews for Skins
Like Smoke Signals, the film is also imbued with strong themes of familial ties and spirituality that are powerful and moving without stooping to base melodrama
Skins is a wrenching, uncompromisingly bleak film, but its stars ... fill the screen with warmth, humor and spiritual yearning in the face of hardship and tragedy.
Rather quickly, the film falls into a soothing formula of brotherly conflict and reconciliation.
Whatever Eyre’s failings as a dramatist, he deserves credit for bringing audiences into this hard and bitter place.
Director Chris Eyre is going through the paces again with his usual high melodramatic style of filmmaking.
Though the aboriginal aspect lends the ending an extraordinary poignancy, and the story itself could be played out in any working class community in the nation.
It lacks the compassion, good-natured humor and the level of insight that made [Eyre's] first film something of a sleeper success.
Thanks to strong performances by Schweig and Greene, the results are powerful and heartbreaking.
There's a certain raggedness and preachiness to the picture, but ultimately its simplicity and basic integrity shine through and compensate for the flaws.
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.
It's a haunting indictment of a situation that has by and large been swept under the rug by Americans -- a stirring look at one man's impotent rage.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

Take a look at MSN's choices for the Top 10 films of 2009.

What were your favorites? Least favorites? The funniest and scariest? Moviefone wants to know!

Hollywood.com explores why QT's characters resonate so well with audiences.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



