Skin Deep (1989) User Reviews

It's Ritter.. Ritter all the way !

[sano7 · 7/10 · 26 July 2005]

John Ritter makes Zach and the film memorable. It's more or less a one man show by him, though the character hardly has an element of heroism in it. He wonderfully transforms himself into Zach Hutton, a writer by profession with a weakness for drinks and women. He faces the fury of boyfriends of the women, and later, the revenge of the girls themselves, after they break up.

The movie progresses with hilarious sequences, at times slap-stick. Be sure not to miss the dialogues, for there are many instances when humour makes its presence in the most unexpected of situations. Altogether non stop entertainment is warrantied..

Excellent

[peddlerwhospoke · 7/10 · 19 January 2005]

Zach (ritter) has brought a wonderful yet dirty performance as a womanizer who just can't get enough from jumping out of relationships and also funny predicaments just as his house burning down, not knowing how he can get his life back in order which is simply stop drinking with all help by his AGENT, Pychiatrist, and his bartender as they guide him through life. Wirtten by the wonderful Blake Edwards. Unique film with a scene today classic that i can't even describe to you because you probably won't even get to read it it would be deleted immediately. Rent the video or buy it now even the DVD even though no special features buy it any way.

Kevin

Highly Underrated

[bluemond · 7/10 · 15 January 2004]

I loved this movie. the story was cheesy, but done well. the psychiatrist was hilarious. stockard channing was hilarious.

there were glowing condoms for goodness sake. but most of all, John Ritter is phenomenal. The sequence after the shock therapy, is the funniest physical comedy scene I have ever seen on film.

Some of the funniest scenes ever filmed

[DeanSpeir · 1 January 2001]

This film from Blake Edwards has one of the all-time funniest sequences in it that has even been filmed, and no I'm not talking about the much bally-hoo'd "dueling glow-in-the-dark-condoms" scene.

The post-spa sequence with a spastic John Ritter never fails to put me in grave danger of a major asthmatic attack. It is brilliant physical comedy. See it for that alone… or for the pruriently curious, to see what the Amazonian "Zap" from that strange syndicated physical challenges show of several years back, looks like with her clothes off!

It may not be Edwards' best effort, but it's no where near as dreadful as others here have suggested.

John Ritter is the best!

[paulclaassen · 6/10 · 13 June 2018]

I'm not a big comedy fan but John Ritter is so fantastic, charming and likable that I couldn't help loving this sex comedy. I could watch it over and over just to see John Ritter. What a legend! He is naturally funny and apart from that, a really great actor. The film has great dialogue and a good cast in general, and I enjoyed the plot, as well. It was a nice touch to have the entire cast together for the finale. Really great film.

Get on this relationship merry go round ...................

[merklekranz · 7/10 · 16 March 2010]

John Ritter is in fine form as writer with writers block, a drinking problem, and at least a bunch of relationship problems. Ritter trying to change his character, even as his life is spiraling out of control, provides plenty of laughs. Vincent Gardenia plays a bartender, and John Ritter is his best customer. "Skin Deep" is at it's funniest when sharp dialog is being exchanged, and weakest when it resorts to slapstick. The movie is highly original, and maintains interest throughout. My only objection would be that some scenes go on a little too long. If you enjoy Blake Edward's comedies like the "Pink Panther" films, you will not be disappointed. - MERK

Not as much of a comedy as you might be expecting...and probably the best acting John Ritter ever did.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 11 November 2019]

John Ritter plays Zach, a writer with writer's block who also is a womanizer, a drunk and a selfish jerk. When the story begins, Zach's destroying yet another marriage by cheating on his spouse. The story consists of watching Zach screw up his life again and again.

Despite being written and directed by Blake Edwards, this film is NOT a comedy...though some reviewers inexplicably thought it was hilarious. It has a few mildly funny moments (such as the cock fight and, although very sick, the bit involving Harry) but I don't think Edwards intended it as a comedy but a portrait of an incredibly screwed up man....and on that level the film does work. You dislike and possibly hate Zach...but you also can't help but think that Edwards and Ritter did a fine job of making a realistic self-destructive man. In some ways, it reminded me of one of Edwards' earliest successes..."Days of Wine and Roses". And, on that level, the film worked well for me. Overall, while very unpleasant to watch at times, a very well made picture.



One thing to note. If you do watch the film, don't be surprised with all the nudity. It isn't surprising based on the material....but I thought you should know.

OK comedy with john ritter, rentable,semi enjoyable

[Doc_Who · 3/10 · 9 October 1999]

This movie deals with the problems a man faces with too many problems in his life. It is OK for a rental . If you like John Ritter( I liked him better in Three's Company), then you might like this movie. It was directed by Blake Edwards(who directed the movie "10"). The movie is almost like a black comedy , other times trying to be a drama. Only watch or buy if you like the main star John Ritter!!Skin Deep is a semi enjoyable movie for John Riitter fans.

One of the funniest unknown films ever

[cmperkin · 8/10 · 16 September 2003]

Skin Deep is a very funny film that many people have never heard of. One scene in particular, must be one of the most hilarious ever caught on film. While some of the social views have become dated, If the viewer remembers that the film was created in the late 80's, It is quite enjoyable. Upon John Ritter's untimely passing, I got it out and watched it all over again and was still entertained!

Average movie made great by one unforgettable scene.

[triple8 · 6/10 · 21 August 2003]

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILER: DON'T READ ON UNLESS YOU WANT TO KNOW!

This movie really wasn't all that great. I have a healthy respect for it mainly because of my fondness for Mr. Ritter. Three's Company is my favorite all time comedy and It was nice to see "Jack" up on the big screen.

I liked the premise of the movie but unfortunetly I will agree with many that the movie just didn't go anywhere, it did have a tendency to become lethargecially dragging to the point where although you love Ritter and the plot you lose all interest in seeing how it plays out.

Now-that said-Normally I'd give a movie like that(not terrible but certainly forgettable) about a 5-I JUST CAN'T DO IT WITH THIS ONE THOUGH. And that's because of that one scene, that unforgettable scene that singelehandedly makes the film.

I'm referring of coarse to the "glow in the dark" condom scene. The unexpected with that flows from this gem of a scene was Ritter at his best-he has to be one of the most brillient comedy actors around and that scene showed him doing what he does best-entertaining. Plus it's just REALLY funny.

I'm picky about my comedies and what I fnd funny-this scene was hilarious-saw the mopvie in the theatre and this one scene had the whole movie theatre hysterical. So because of that I say the movie is worth seeing just because of that one scene. In fact if you are watching it and find yourself really bored(which you very well might) fastforward to the "glow in the dark" scene, watch it and laugh to your sides ache! One of the most unforgettable moments in movie comedy of all time.

All in all the movie's about a 5 but like I said that one scene brings it up 1 or 2 points. An unusual review for a mediocre movie that makes itself unforgettable through a few minutes of screen time.

A good end to the 1980s

[magellan333 · 5/10 · 9 December 2007]

The 1980s gave us some really great and really bad movies. Skin Deep is a perfect way to end the decade of misguided dreams and bland taste. Skin Deep gives the audience some great shots of humor but does not maintain the laughs throughout the film. I kept wondering if if I was watching a slap stick comedy, a dramedy or a drama with a few laughs. It was directed as though it were a made for TV movie with plenty of wide shots, bland sets and bland characters. Additionally, I found none of the women in this movie very attractive either. I blame part of that on the 1980s hairstyles for women that left a lot to be desired. Skin Deep is enjoyable one time around but after that one time, it's easy to see why it has been forgotten by many.

"Skin Deep" is hugely under-rated film from Blake Edwards

[chuck-reilly · 8/10 · 16 December 2010]

John Ritter is Zach Hutton, an alcoholic writer whose life is unraveling by the minute. Whether his "writer's block" was a result of his alcoholism or that he's taken to the bottle because of it is never firmly established with viewers. It's a moot point anyway as far as director/writer Blake Edwards is concerned. Alcohol has driven Zach "over the edge" and he's in big trouble. The fact that he's able to easily charm his way into one brief sexual encounter after another and get by with his obvious intelligence only compounds his problems. Yet his sexual escapades and disheveled lifestyle contribute to some of the most hilarious scenes ever filmed in a movie. The real funny thing, however, is that "Skin Deep" is actually a serious film posing as a standard Blake Edwards slapstick farce; its underlying theme is about the main character's desperate and dire situation. Zach is spiraling towards suicide even faster than he drives his sportscar. So why are we laughing?

Others in the cast include Alyson Reed as Zach's estranged and exasperated wife Alexandra. She provides some gravitas to the film as does the great Nina Foch (Zach's not too happy mother-in-law). Zach has been a huge disappointment to both of them and it's written all over their faces. Julianne Phillips (Bruce Springsteen's first wife) has a nice role as one of Zach's almost serious relationships. The best secondary role is reserved for Michael Kidd as Zach's psychiatrist Doctor Westford. His simple but critical advice near the end of the movie saves our hero from complete disaster. "You know what I tell alcoholics when they want me to help them? I tell them to STOP DRINKING." At last, his terse words of wisdom have an immediate and "sobering" effect on Zach and the recovery of his life begins. "Skin Deep" plays like a combination of two of Edwards' very popular and earlier films, "The Days of Wine and Roses" and "Ten." One minute it's deadly serious and in the next it's a rip roaring comedy-of-errors. The balance is a delicate one and without the sure-handed direction of Blake Edwards, the movie would've fallen flat on its face. As it turned out, "Skin Deep" was nowhere near a hit at the box office. That's too bad because the film is one of the better ones in Blake Edwards' career and certainly could use a reappraisal. Also, John Ritter never gave a finer performance than he did in this movie. That fact alone should prompt interested viewers to find this film before it gets lost in the archives.

Watch it if for only one scene.

[jrs-8 · 7/10 · 28 July 2000]

"Skin Deep" is not a great comedy. It's a decent view that supplies some hits and misses. But there is one scene that is so uproariously funny that it makes the rest of the film watchable.

John Ritter (likable as always) plays a writer on the down side. He has turned to booze, therapy, and women. LOTS of women. He has ruined his marriage with his countless flings. He loves his ex-wife still but he just can't seem to get the prowler out of his system. Ritter has a couple of extremely funny moments such as his arrival at a formal party he believed was a costume party and a fun bit after he has received a strange form of therapy that causes his body to spasm so much he can barely walk.

But the scene to wait for is after he has finally gotten a woman to bed he has been chasing. She is involved with a rock star and insists Ritter use a condom. Not having any he borrows one of the rock star's. It happens to be a glow in the dark condom and the scene is shot in total darkness. It is uproarious to say the least. And that is BEFORE the rock star shows up wearing one of his own!! That scene alone is one of the funniest I have ever scene and makes "Skin Deep" worth watching.

Not Funny, Not Romantic, Not Memorable

[leftbanker-1 · 5/10 · 12 January 2020]

I had forgotten this movie before I even made it to the end. I grew up in the era of Three's Company and thoroughly hated it. I doubt I watched a single episode. Blake Edwards was never my cup of tea, either. The story for this goes absolutely nowhere. He shags a bunch of women who fall all over themselves for him for no apparent reason. His ex-wife doesn't seem like his type and the tension between them is mostly phony and not even approaching interesting. This movie hasn't aged well at all.

Good film for John Ritter fans

[jimbo429 · 5 April 2003]

I rented this video about a year ago & enjoyed this very much. John Ritter plays the character Zack with his trademark physical comedy in full form. Two scenes stand out for me. One is the drop-dead hilarious bit after the therapy session when he goes spastic; and yes, the other is the overrated (but still good) glow-in-the-dark condom fight scene. This is one of Blake Edwards' better films (certainly miles better than "10"). A good film for fans of John Ritter also, especially if all one knows of his acting is the sitcom "Three's Company".

Jack Tripper as a womanizing alcoholic with writer's block

[Wuchakk · 6/10 · 7 March 2024]

A writer (John Ritter) is caught cheating by the woman he's cheating with and so his wife kicks him out (Alyson Reed). He gets advice from his bartender and counsel from his therapist while every attractive female in SoCal catches his tipsy eye.

"Skin Deep" (1989) comes across as Three's Company five years after it ended, except movie length, more dramatic with better production values, and Jack Tripper as a boozing writer, not to mention the addition of a little nudity. Helmed by Blake Edwards, it's basically a combo of his "10" and "The Man Who Loved Women." (He was no doubt writing about his own life and challenges).

If you liked those two movies and Three's Company, you'll appreciate this, but it's too meandering and arguably the least of the three. Ritter is his likable self though and the female cast is notable (Denise Crosby, Julianne Phillips, Chelsea Field, Diana Barton, Jean Marie McKee, etc.).

One sequence that I could do without is eye-rolling crude in a juvenile way, but the payoff line is pretty funny.

The movie runs 1 hour, 41 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles and Malibu with studio stuff done in Culver City.

GRADE: B-

Slow

[btreakle · 7/10 · 16 July 2021]

I've always loved John Ritter and threes company and he was pretty good in this movie but the movie itself was kind of slow but still worth watching. Condom scene was funny .

Still worth the watch and I did have a funny scene in her regarding con have a funny scene in your regarding condoms.

One of Blake Edwards' worst films

[preppy-3 · 1/10 · 4 August 2011]

Writer Zach Huttons (John Ritter)life is falling apart. He has writers block, can't stop drinking, can't stop womanizing, his agent is dying AND his wife Alex (Alyson Reed) understandably wants to divorce him. We then get a series of supposedly "comic" struggles involving his womanizing and drinking.

Director Blake Edwards made some of the best comedies and dramas ever early in his career ("The Pink Panther" and "Days of Wine and Roses" come to mind) and even a few in the 1980s ("Victor Victoria"). But he then made a whole bunch of disastrous comedies in the late 1980s and into the 1990s. This is one of them. It's not the worst ("A Fine Mess" and "Switch" are much worse) but it's definitely not good. The jokes are either unfunny or pretty sick (one cruel joke involving a dog almost had me turn this off). The cast does their best (Ritter is especially good) but it's a no go. The one funny scene involves glow in the dark condoms. When THAT'S the funniest scene you know you're in trouble. Unfunny and boring. A 1 all the way.

Falling out of love...

[Derek237 · 10/10 · 16 March 2005]

Skin Deep starts off to a soulful, bluesy song called "falling out of love" (lyrically quite fitting for the main character), and we see a woman walking into a house. The house belongs to Zach Hutton, and the woman, we assume, is Zach's wife. She catches him fooling around with a young blonde and grabs Zach's revolver. The scene that follows is hilarious; the music has stopped and we're thrust into a tense but funny moment. As it turns out, this woman is not Zach's wife, but his mistress, and she is ready to kill him until his wife walks in. They introduce themselves and share their disappointment in Zach. At this point, I needed to take a very deep breath to brace myself, because it was very obvious that this guy has issues and this movie was going to be full of hilariously painful situations for our hero. It was no big surprise that within the next few scenes he's sobbing in a psychiatrist's office.

This is a comedy that has an exaggerated sense of being true to life. It is somewhat serious, Zach is a tortured soul, but he's mostly casually tortured and takes his abuse with humour, which makes it okay for us to laugh. He's a washed up writer, his wife has left him with a settlement that was not exactly fair to his side, and he can't get over his obsession with picking up women. He's addicted. This is one pathetic man. He endures some of the most hilarious situations ever committed to film (I won't even bother mentioning the glow-in-the-ark condom sequence, but yes, it is hysterical). He also endures genuine sadness in his life, and that makes him more human than just a simple comic sketch, and makes this such a great movie.

The ending wraps things up a little too easily, but what the hell? Comedies usually have happy endings. The ending was satisfactory, but the movie in general was above average. John Ritter was a master at perfecting both drama and comedy, which is what was needed for this role. He did an amazing job, and I feel it's his finest performance, displaying his genuine charm as a comedic actor, as well as the possibly even more intriguing serious side of a conflicted, lost man. I love this movie.

My rating: 10/10

Jeez, this was awful!

[everybodygettogether · 1/10 · 29 August 2004]

It was a hot summer afternoon and I was happy to stay in and watch this John Ritter movie when I saw it featured in the TV guide, but it turned out worth not to be watching at all, unless you are planning on doing a thesis about the 70's "Me Generation", the I-want-it-all and the I-want-to-have-sex-with-anyone-and-everyone lifestyle, or maybe you're interested in 70's disco costumes and puffy super-sprayed mullet hairstyles. but maybe you can tolerate it if you drink as much as the characters do. Hoo boy, what made me ever think those times were FUN!

I turned it off halfway through and I don't even wonder if the pitiful protagonist played by Ritter got to live happily ever after - he certainly didn't deserve to.

ONE OF BLAKE EDWARDS' VERY BEST

[KatMiss · 10/10 · 7 July 2001]

"Skin Deep" was marketed incorrectly. Fox marketed this as a raunchy comedy. It is more of a companion piece to "10" rather than "S.O.B." in that it is fairly serious as well.

But this isn't all drama. "Skin Deep" is not only one of Blake Edwards' very best films, it is probably his most successful combination of comedy and drama to date. Edwards wants to have it both ways and it succeeds.

The film stars John Ritter as Zach Hutton, a one-time famous, best selling author who has stumbled. He is quick to blame it on writer's block, but he has other problems. He drinks excessively. He womanizes even more excessively. His wife has left him after finding him in bed with his mistress' hairdresser. (No, I'm not spoiling the film for you; Edwards makes this all clear in the first 12 minutes) Hutton then sets out on a mission to get his life in order and gain his wife back.

Right there, "Skin Deep" resembles another film, Paul Mazursky's great "Blume in Love". But Edwards takes some turns that Mazursky never even considered. Yeah, Zach wants his wife back, but does he want to change? The answer could be no, but I'm not saying yes either. As in his best films, Edwards never gives any easy answers to the questions he asks and he simply records an existence.

I've made "Skin Deep" sound awfully serious. But I want to say that "Skin Deep" is one of the funniest Edwards films I've ever seen. There are sequences here that rival the best Panther films in terms of hilarity. The house fire. The glow-in-the dark condoms. The electrical therapy sequence. The tsunami warning. His sleepover at his best friends' house, but I can't list them all. I want you to discover some as well.

A real surprise is John Ritter. Most people have written him off as Jack Tripper from his hit TV series "Three's Company", but he has developed into a fine actor with roles in "Sling Blade", "Unnatural Causes" and "Nowhere". Here, he finds the right tone for all of his scenes. He can go from comedy to drama and always be convincing. It's a brilliant performance and it was a real shame the Academy couldn't recognize it.

"Skin Deep" marked a milestone for Blake Edwards. At the time of its' release, 1989 was his 50th year in show business. I've always been an admirer of his work and it gave me great pleasure to see that he still has it in him. It is also kind of sad that Edwards followed this masterpiece with the lackluster "Switch".But at least "Son of the Pink Panther" was a good cap to a great career.

**** out of 4 stars

some memorable bits

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 29 February 2020]

Zach Hutton (John Ritter) is a bearded alcoholic award-winning writer with a bit of a writer's block. He claims to want monogamy but he can't stop womanizing. His wife divorces him and takes most of his stuff. His life starts falling apart as he cannot stop drinking or womanizing.

The character is not appealing but John Ritter is. I would like this to be a dark comedy. The first half has elements of that but the broad physical comedy keeps poking its head into the movie. The movie goes full slapstick soon enough and I'm not feeling it. First thing first, the wife Alex needs a more charismatic actress. It's probably Blake Edwards' vision of a wife character. She needs to be at least be close to Ritter's screen presence but Blake wants her to be dull. There are some memorable stuff in this movie. The muscle blonde, the light sabre fight, the electrocution aftermath are all memorable. If the tone fits the subject better, this could actually be funny.

WHAT A GREAT MOVIE (spoiler)

[nank1971 · 9 September 2004]

I was saddened to see this movie replayed on commercial TV. They have cut all of the funny out of it and made it a drama. I recommend getting your hands on a VHS copy of this movie and sitting down to enjoy yourself. It is classic John Ritter. Every time I watch this (I own the tape) I laugh so hard that I cry. I give it a 9 because it keeps you going. SPOILER: ( the dog superglued to the ceiling is one of the funniest things I have ever seen). This movie shows some of the best acting skills for some hardly seen actors. There was no possible way for them to make a follow-up movie- but the director/producer/writer/actors should have gotten together for another project. It would have been great.

Truly pathetic and cliched 1-joke movie

[eeq · 1/10 · 12 June 1999]

This is truly one of the worst films ever made. The characters were pitiable and the entire movie was a connection of cliches and formula subplots. The one memorable scene in the movie wasn't even that funny. My wife and I really felt ripped off. Since I'd MUCH PREFER to see "Plan 9 From Outer Space", voted by many as the worst movie ever, this should be dead last!!

Atypical Blake Edwards' Comedy showcases John Ritter in top form!

[Heiress · 9/10 · 3 June 2002]

John Ritter plays a familiar Blake Edward's character who is at the same time a pathetic but intelligent man who is losing everything to his vices. In this case, Zach is a successful author who is hitting rock bottom due to alcoholism and his non-stop womanizing. John Ritter's physical comedy is hilarious yet he portrays this pathetic character with great sensitivity. You watch as this man slowly and painfully spirals down and the women who try to help redeem him slowly get dragged down with him. But Edwards is a master at allowing us to laugh-out-loud at his slow and quiet self destruction. Who will ever forget the....glow-in-the-dark duel? or the body builder? or how about the morning after in the guest room? The slow ride to rock bottom made his redemption all the more sweet. I was pleasantly surprised at how "deep" this movie truly is. If you are looking for the slapstick of pure Clouseau, this is not your movie. I suspect most of those who disliked this movie were seeking that exact Blake Edwards formula comedy. However, he surprised us all with the kind of depth that belies the title.