REVIEW: “Skincare” (2024)

As a seasoned movie critic who has seen more Hollywood scandals than I can count, I must say that “Skincare” is a delightful and darkly comedic gem. Elizabeth Banks delivers an electrifying performance as Hope Goldman, a character so flawed yet relatable that she had me rooting for her from the very beginning.

Elizabeth Banks delivers a stellar performance in “Skincare,” a blend of crime thriller and black comedy, skillfully directed by Austin Peters. Banks, who is also a producer for the film, steals the show with her captivating portrayal, thanks to the sharp writing from Peters, Sam Freilich, and Deering Regan. The shifts in tone aren’t always smooth, but Peters’ energetic direction makes it simple to overlook these moments.

In the spirit of storytelling, influenced by real-life occurrences, “The Pores and Glory” unfolds with a nod towards celebrity skincare expert, Dawn DaLuise. One year in 2014, our protagonist was falsely apprehended and indicted for plotting to have her competitor, Gabriel Suarez, eliminated – a claim she herself found unfounded. With insufficient funds to cover the $1 million bail, she spent ten months behind bars until her trial commenced. In the courtroom, justice was swift, as she was exonerated within the span of an hour.

The concept of “Skincare” is heavily influenced by real-life events, yet it presents its unique perspective. In the year 2013, Banks portrays Hope Goldman, a renowned aesthetician in Hollywood who owns and operates a skincare studio under her name. As she stands on the brink of releasing her own line of skincare products, the glamorous exterior masks the financial pressures that Hope faces in keeping her upscale salon afloat. She must also navigate around Jeff (John Billingsley), her landlord, who is relentless in his pursuit of overdue rent payments.

After facialist Angel (Luis Gerardo Méndez) establishes his boutique near the plaza, things take a grim turn for Hope. Word spreads quickly in Tinseltown about Angel, and before long, he becomes a hot topic of conversation. Consequently, Hope starts losing her prominent clients to her new competitor, Angel. This escalates to the point where she also loses her spot on a popular daytime talk show hosted by Nathan Fillion, who is known for his charm and slippery nature.

In my own experience, nothing quite shakes up my world like when someone hacks my email and sends out a humiliating fake message to all my clients. Soon after, I find myself dealing with obscene and offensive posts popping up online in my name. The harassment escalates further when I discover my tires have been slashed. Suspecting Angel, I’m left with no concrete evidence that the police can act upon. In the interim, I watch as my client base dwindles while Angel’s business thrives.

Hope has a chance encounter with a peppy Hollywood newbie named Jordan (Lewis Pullman). He’s a self-proclaimed life coach and wellness guru who agrees to help her counteract the intensifying attacks and rebuild her image. But things only get worse from there as Hope’s obsession with success is only rivaled by her fixation on Angel. It spins the knotty yet comical yarn into a pulpy cautionary tale about the lengths people will go to get what they want and how an out-of-control desire for notoriety can have damaging consequences.

As the plot unfolds, Peter skillfully takes us into the glamorous world of Hollywood high society while also giving us a glimpse of its darker corners. A diverse cast, with Michaela Jaé Rodriguez standing out as Hope’s assistant and PR head, adds depth to the narrative. However, it is Elizabeth Banks’ dedicated and finely-tuned performance that binds everything together, making the movie truly effective.

2024-08-15 17:56

REVIEW: “Skincare” (2024)

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