Beneath the Skin (2015) User Reviews

It's okay to hate on a movie, but...

[mharah · 3/10 · 26 January 2018]

...don't confuse yourself with a reviewer. "Beneath the Skin" is about a half-step above an ordinary student film. It has a respectable plotline and likeable characters, but it doesn't go anywhere. The script is problematic: Loose ends all over the place which scream out to be connected up and aren't; characters who do things with little or no motivation; subplots (and there are way too many) which are not fleshed out and have nothing to do with anything anyway. Some of the actors are quite promising, but the insufficiencies of the script leave them with little room to maneuver. Others of the actors are just not as yet very good (and may never be). The nudity is largely gratuitous. (If nudity isn't motivated, don't use it. In the 21st century, nudity no longer needs to barely suggested, but if the characters are going to have sex, it also no longer works to just hint at it.) The scenery in Nova Scotia is beautiful, of course, and in general the cinematography takes advantage of that, although at times the shots seem to be largely just random filler. The music ranges from pleasant to annoying. The editing seems ragged, although the editor may have done the best he/she could with the footage available. In short, "Beneath the Skin" is a beginner's work. It shows potential and shouldn't be dismissed because it isn't brilliant. Let's see what comes next; the creators deserve another chance.

At least no one dies

[mgold-8 · 5/10 · 8 November 2019]

This movie, as others have already noted, is simply terrible. It really deserves only one star, but the fact that no one is gay-bashed to death, nor does anyone kill themselves, merits an extra 4 stars in my book. It also doesn't hurt that the 2 boys from Alabama are easy on the eyes. I can't think of anything else that's nice to nice to say, and there's no need to belabor the ludicrous plot; the heinous writing; the atrocious acting (although I thought the (former?)star was the only one who showed flashes of non-woodenness); the overwrought piano soundtrack; and (above all) the revoltingly preposterous "uniform" to which no actual British public school would ever subject its pupils!

So yes, if you watch this film in its entirety, you'll have wasted an hour and a half of your life. But, kudos to the creator(s) for not adding to the already way-too-long list of movies where the gay protagonist meets the Grim Reaper.

Easy to watch, relatable, acting is average for English/semi-American gay themes

[howiesfl · 5/10 · 20 April 2017]

I didn't hate this movie especially considering the significant lack of English speaking Gay movies. I appreciate the drama that is portrayed as it should be focused upon more period. It does lack in depth plot climax and its hard to connect with the characters most of the time. You get what you put into this movie, although unfortunately isn't much due to a weak story line. I was really excited when I saw the trailer but the trailer is the spoiler.

To its credit, for gay cinema targeted for English language and lifestyle I will guarantee that you have seen much worse.

Its almost refreshing to see the obvious potential this movie had. I'd rather see this movie than most campy gay stereotypes that floods mainstream cinema.

You have to acknowledge that it is at least an attempt in the right direction.

Unfortunately the USA is so far behind in Gay thematic movies with substance as well as relatively poor acting as a genre that is severely struggling to keep up with the times.

Beneath my Tolerance Level

[kbraidi · 2/10 · 1 September 2016]

This movie is not worth your time. It is low-budget and amateurish in the extreme, with bad writing, bad acting, and bad directing. The pacing is painfully slow, with way too many extended scenes of Halifax scenery (some of it nonetheless beautiful), and a relentless piano music score poured all over it like treacle. The plotting is ludicrous, and absurdities abound, such as: a large high school which apparently only has 5 students and two staff members; a tattoo parlor/tea room run by a sweet hippie-ish couple, neither of whom sport a single tattoo; one of the main characters gets shipped off to Canada to live with his father, and then gets shipped back to England after only a few days, in which time he has met and fallen in love with another cute troubled soul, made both friends and enemies, but yet he apparently hasn't even seen either his father or his father's home. There are physical attacks and a home break-in, with no thought of reporting anything to the police -- or is that commonplace in Canada? It is all too much to swallow. I give it one extra point for being well-meaning. If you want a "Beneath the Skin" experience, I recommend getting a tattoo rather than seeing this film.

Do not waste your time

[Oscar-54 · 1/10 · 13 August 2016]

Honestly, I don't understand how or who gave this so-called movie such a high rating, I only can think that it was given by someone involved making it. And even so, I think it could be a bit objective, instead of promoting it without any real reason.

It is just a terrible movie, too slow, bad acting (if you can call it that), too long, and very amateurish, not to mention the inept editing. And let's not forget that repetitive and boring piano score played over and over and over, besides the unacceptable sound throughout the whole film, that sometimes it was just impossible to hear the dialogue, and then at the next minute, it was just too loud.

I am gay and have the tendency to be a lot in favor of most gay-themed movies (meaning I am usually not to severe to give them not a favorable review), but sometimes I just cannot help it and be up front and be as objective as I can, and this is one of those times.

It is very disappointing to see that there are not that many good gay-themed movies made in the USA in the last few years.

I do recognize the effort of some movie makers (including the ones that make this one) about showing gay people just like any other human being, but it would be refreshing to see some good scripts, good actors, editing, etc.

whoever wrote this should be blacklisted

[lovelion2001 · 1/10 · 20 September 2016]

Just don't watch this. 8th grade level writing, cringe worthy acting and just plain awkward directing. I've never written a review but I just can't hold back on this one and I don't even know that you need 10 lines of texts for a review. None of the nude scenes in this movie makes any sense or are necessary. The actors have zero chemistry with each other. The directing is just awful. I don't know the director's background but whatever the school he went to, don't go there. They cast a porn star to be one of the main roles, but unlike a few others that had been on the "big screen" before, there was not a single moment that you would think "oh damn he can actually do more than fk on camera". This movie is neither inspiring nor entertaining. There is literally no reason to watch this.

Writer/Director should be ashamed...

[chrisalanstudios · 1/10 · 8 June 2018]

This was seriously terrible, on so many levels. This movie was nothing more than a vehicle for writer/director/star Ellis to make out with porn star "Hunter Page". In an interview with Page, he exposes Ellis for finding him while "viewing his work" (gee, I wonder what that means). Page didn't seek out this job, it was Ellis who pursued Page and then (conveniently) cast himself as Page's love interest. The film itself is equally awful. I literally made it to 39 minutes into it before having to turn it off. The idea that Ellis' character, who has the personality of a dead snail and the looks of the most boring accountant on earth, would cause Hunter Page to instantly fall for him and then Page be the aggressor, is beyond laughable. Steer clear of this one folks.

crumbs

[Kirpianuscus · 17 June 2021]

It is tempting to be very critic about this film. Yes, many motives, a lot of mistakes,awful dialogue, not small expectations, wooden acting - the supporting actors as a sort of some spice - and a story not very inspired driven and, more important, the feel about nudity as axis saving the film. But the good intentions are obvious, the story works , in some measure, for a time, as crumbs, the naivety can be, first, terrible but it sounds reasonable to end, the plot is not bad but wrong used and a better chemistry between lead actors could be a good detail. But, short, not so bad.

Excruciating

[kaospheric · 1/10 · 22 March 2020]

A film with no redeeming features whatsoever: a storyline with more holes in it than a colander, the pacing of a snail, gratuitous scenes of gay bashing, repetitious incidental music, amateur British actors attempting Canadian accents, and a suburban Berkshire house that doubles for a Nova Scotia apartment building (the entrance for which is the kitchen back door).

The lead, Aaron Ellis (also the writer and director), has the charisma of a soggy biscuit.

Just awful, on almost every level.

Unjustified harsh reviews

[timofbooks · 7/10 · 28 November 2017]

OK some of the reviews for this are unjustifiably harsh. Yes, the writing is a lil' cringe in places, the acting can be a bit wooden in parts and the British actors trying to do Canadian accents could've been left out... but over all it was a lovely story. Especially since the writer was just 20ish when this was made! I think for a film made on what was most likely a shoe-string budget, by a very young writing/directing team this was a fantastic effort! I believe with a bit more time and experience, they'll make some wonderful lgbt films in the future (with more HFN endings please.) I was actually considerably impressed with the production value knowing that the budget would've been microscopic.

Also did anyone else get an Ed Sheeran vibe from the main actor/writer?

Ignore all the hate...

[kalithor · 8/10 · 10 May 2019]

People expect to much out of indie films. No it's not perfect by Hollywood standards. It's a sweet love story that had a few bumps in the road, can be a little slow but, I loved the story. That first couple minutes were really intense,and that bully and his bimbo girlfriend will get you upset! But in the end love conquers all..

A children's recital

[jbuck-495-251927 · 6/10 · 29 December 2018]

I really wanted to like this movie but somehow it fell short of boredom. How many landscapes with piano music backgrounds can you have? It was far fetched that someone from Alabama was on their way to Canada to open a tattoo shop, but how do you meet someone on a park bench and decide to take them with you. The writing was dismal at best and most of the actors sounded like they were reading off cue cards. I gave it 6 stars because I thought it was sweet but not really believable at all

Difficult to Watch

[coloradonative-89461 · 6/10 · 8 February 2020]

The entire movie was problematic for me. First, we meet Jay in Alabama, USA. Jay is interrupted by his religious zealot parents while he fooled around with another guy. Jay's father beat him mercilessly for being gay while his mother did nothing to stop it. Jay was ultimately kicked out of the house wearing only jeans. We are to believe that a hot guy just happened to be walking by the seemingly abandoned park where Jay stopped to rest? Or even more unbelievable that this guy would offer Jay help including a job and a place to stay...in Canada? What about immigration? Meanwhile, across the Pond, Joshua, who has a half-brother (step brother?) lost his mother. His step-father (his mother's husband and half-brother's father) kicks him out (though we never see any parents) and makes him go to Canada to be with his biological father. While in Canada...a very liberal and progressive country, a classmate and her boyfriend decide to completely destroy Joshua simply for being gay. Jay (remember, Jay?) witnesses some of the verbal from the tattoo shop he works at (and none of these characters have any visible tattoos by the way) and intervenes. The two quickly fall in love and become an item. Now, the hate crimes-we are talking extreme hate crimes: physical and emotional assaults and vandalism, begin. Yet, no adults ever get involved and the RCMP (police) are NEVER called. What? Joshua finally decides not to be a victim and punches the classmate's boyfriend in the nose and gets expelled from school. Joshua's father decides that he has had enough and no longer wants to be responsible for Joshua; therefore, he is kicked out of Canada (yet Jay, an American somehow lives there?) and returns to England to go to the same boarding school his mother had attended. Fast forward 6 months, Jay just happens to be having an art exhibit in England and drops by Joshua's boarding school to wish him a happy 18th birthday. The two reunite, and Jay, seemingly above all international immigration laws, has an apartment in England for the two to move into to. Why is my review 5 out of 10 stars and not lower? Because, the acting was not entirely terrible; the video quality was good and lets face it, Aaron Elis (who played Joshua in the film) made a movie. How many of us can say that? I think that if Elis continues to hone in on his skill he could make some good movies in the future.

To Bert Blackwell or whatever your name is

[daniel-91652 · 10/10 · 29 December 2016]

I loved this film to pieces you can tell it was a low budget but it was legit and that's what good about it, I like what they did with it yeah it was sketchy in places but he deserves a great review he's gone out and made a film can't say any of you guys have done that he's trying to put across that we are all human with feelings, as for Bert or Brent or whatever you my friend are an un open minded egotistic d*ck a cure are you stupid love is love who cares who it is with I don't see the obsession straight guys have with gays your nothing but a bully mate if I generally saw you on the street I'd flatten you it's people like you that ruin the country I'm bisexual I'm happy with who I am what I do behind close doors has nothing to do with you I don't need to be cured and I definitely don't have a mental illness at the end of the day we cannot pick who we are why should someone want to take there own life because nobs like you do not agree with there sexuality when are you going to wake up pull your head out your ass and realise people are equal imagine if straight was so wrong and gay was so right you would not like to be treated like this would you? Not only is it unfair but it's so bland I agree we should not have our own genre and stuff we are no different to anyone else what you say is normal is wrong everyone's normal just because they like the same sex does not make them strange or need to be cured god people like you really make me sick mate they do you generally should not be aloud to walk on this earth with that type of mind set you don't see gays bisexuals trans or women or men or different races running around attacking straight people or anyone else for that matter cos we don't care we want to be accepted we are as normal as anyone else people like you are heartless honestly I'm not even going to rant anymore I'm going to copy this put it on facebook and show people unfortunately what kind of people we have out there in this day and age.