Under the Skin (1997)

A woman explores her sexuality to cope with the passing of her mother, leading her to profound revelations about herself and the people closest to her.

Director:

Carine Adler

Writer:

Carine Adler

Stars:

Samantha Morton, Claire Rushbrook, Rita Tushingham

7 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samantha Morton	...	Iris Kelly
Claire Rushbrook	...	Rose Kelly
Rita Tushingham	...	Mum
Christine Tremarco	...	Vron
Stuart Townsend	...	Tom
Matthew Delamere	...	Gary
Mark Womack	...	Frank
Clara Francis	...	Elena
Joe Tucker	...	Sam
Daniel O'Meara	...	Max
Crissy Rock	...	Compere
Lisa Millett	...	Sylvia (as Lisa Millet)
John Whitehall	...	Man at station
Marie Jelliman	...	Manageress
Michelle Byatt	...	Woman In Lost Property

Storyline

Although married and pregnant Rose has always been Mother's favorite, it is younger sister Iris whose life is shaken up by Mother's death. Suffocating, Iris spirals out of control and copes by losing herself in sexual oblivion. She leaves her steady, Gary, for a steady stream of one night stands in the arms of mysterious strangers, alienating Gary, Rose, her friends, and her employers in the process. Will this go on until she loses everything that is meaningful to her?

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Plot Keywords:

golden shower | feminist film | title directed by female | sister | best friend | 

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Taglines:

Your body betrays your soul.

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Adler based her ideas for the script on forensic psychiatrist Estela Weldon's book "Mother Madonna Whore" which argues that, whereas men externalize their grieving processes through anger, women internalize them via paths which can incorporate such extreme reactions as mutilation and promiscuity.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Iris Kelly: [voice-over] When I was small my mother was everything to me. I thought she was beautiful, and I wanted to be like her. I used to try and smile, walk and talk just like her; I even practiced laughing like she did. My mother loved flowers, and her favourite flowers were roses. And so she called my sister Rose. And she called me Iris.

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Connections

Featured in Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema (2018)

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Soundtracks

So Deep Is the Night
Written by Mario Melfi, Sonny Miller
Performed by The Castle Singers

User Reviews

Exhilarating!

This film was shown last night on UK TV. Unfortunately I missed the first 20 minutes or so but the rest was so good I feel it is still worth commenting on. The film centres around the different reactions of two sisters to their mother's death - don't however get the impression that this is a film to be endured rather than enjoyed. Although the subject matter is serious and the film very emotionally moving, there are flashes of humour throughout and it is not boringly earnest for one moment. I read somewhere that the director is an admirer of Mike Leigh's "Naked". While it is no poor relation, if you appreciate the work of Mike Leigh you would probably also enjoy "Under the Skin".

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 May 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Under the Skin

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$140,254

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$140,254

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Film Institute (BFI), Channel Four Television, Strange Dog Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1