Skincare: A tale of beauty, betrayal, and broken dreams
In the world of cinema, it’s not uncommon for adaptations of real-life events to take creative liberties. However, director Austin Peters’ “Skincare” takes this to a new level, presenting a fictionalized version of a true-crime story that leaves out some of the most intriguing details. The film, which centers on a successful celebrity aesthetician who allegedly hired a hitman to eliminate her competition, explores themes of feminine rage, jealousy, and paranoia. Despite its slick aesthetics and atmospheric mood, the film’s omissions raise questions about its storytelling choices.
The fragility of skin and ambition
The film opens with an extreme close-up of Hope Goldman’s (Elizabeth Banks) face, highlighting the cracks in her makeup foundation. This image serves as a metaphor for the cracks in her plan for world domination. Hope, one of the top aestheticians in town, caters to the hottest celebrities and wealthiest housewives. Her business is on the verge of breaking through to the next level, but stress begins to bubble to the surface.
Hope owes back rent on her studio, located in Hollywood’s charming Crossroads of the World shopping complex. The imminent launch of her home skincare line, humorously touted as being “from Italy,” is heavily dependent on the press she has courted. As a self-proclaimed “glow-getter,” Hope is anxious about staying booked and busy.
A new rival and escalating threats
Just when Hope thinks she has everything under control, a new tenant, Angel (Luis Gerardo Méndez), moves in across the way and upends her life. Angel is a scrappy upstart in the beauty world, and their first meeting is prickly at best. Soon after, Hope’s tires are slashed, her email is hacked, and explicit emails are sent to her entire contact list. As the threats escalate, Hope enlists the help of Jordan (Lewis Pullman), a flirty, tanned, and toned 20-something with whom she recently reunited.
Hope suspects Angel is behind the sabotage, but as the menacing events continue, she spirals and calls in her muscle, Armen (Erik Palladino), to eliminate her competition.
A critique of the beauty industry
Peters and co-writers Sam Freilich and Deering Regan not only critique the beauty industry but also the lifestyle’s polished facade. The film weaves in character details and an unsettling atmospheric unease, borrowing from masters like Kubrick and De Palma. Hope and Angel’s clashing sensibilities are reflected in the opposing color schemes of their inner sanctums, with Hope’s space coated in serene light blue and eggshell white, and Angel’s in dark teal and fuchsia.
Fatima Al Qadiri’s score, ranging from haunted harp instrumentals to thumping industrial beats, beautifully complements the eclectic soundtrack cues.
Flaws in character development and storytelling
One of the film’s more visible flaws is the underwritten character of Hope’s assistant, Marine (Michaela Jaé (MJ) Rodriguez). Marine comes across as barely one-dimensional, solely serving the contrived needs of the screenwriters to move Hope from one pivotal place to another. Additionally, the filmmakers handle the reveal of Hope’s cyberbully poorly, with the audience figuring it out long before the characters do.
Elizabeth Banks delivers a fine performance, despite having been cast in similar roles before. Had the material risen to her capabilities, it might have allowed her to explore deeper facets of Hope’s hallucinatory toxicity. Lewis Pullman nails the role of a cocky dimwit, while Luis Gerardo Méndez smooths his character’s rougher edges with sophisticated subtlety.
The missing pieces
While creative liberties are expected, it’s surprising that the filmmakers chose to leave out details that would have enhanced their portrayal. The real-life inspiration for Hope, Dawn DaLuise, was a complex, deeply flawed individual who believed in giving people second chances. This aspect, along with the detectives’ failure to believe her, is left unexplored in a film with a noticeable feminist bent.
By making Hope’s assailant an amalgam of two figures, the filmmakers muddle the bully’s motivations. Is it pure greed, preying on lonely women of a certain age, or simple revenge? Perhaps none of this ultimately matters, and that in itself is the sentiment packaged and sold for our consumption. But it makes for a vapid read of showbiz.
Explore more
For those interested in diving deeper into the world of “Skincare,” check out the trailer and explore the film’s information page.
Whether you’re a cinema enthusiast, a TV series aficionado, or a music lover, ”Skincare” offers a unique, albeit flawed, glimpse into the darker side of the beauty industry.