Elizabeth Banks reflects on her near-death experience on set.
Elizabeth Banks recently spoke about a horrific near-death experience while filming her new movie “Skincare.”
without brand – Entertainment
If the film had been released 50 years ago, it would have been one of those slightly scandalous but much-discussed entries in ABC’s list of films of the week.
Instead, we’re now in 2024, and Skincare is a cheesy, entertaining thriller “inspired” by a true story that will likely come and go without much fanfare — although Elizabeth Banks’ performance deserves some of it.
Banks plays Hope Goldman, a Hollywood beautician with a prestigious clientele; director and co-writer Austin Peters chronicles her rise to success before the opening credits have even rolled. Now she’s about to launch her own cosmetics line. It’s an exciting time, punctuated by an interview with local anchor Brett Wright (Nathan Fillion at his most fidgety).
What is the plot of “Skincare”?
But then a few clouds appear on her well-groomed horizon. A new beauty and skin care shop opens across the street, owned by Angel (Luis Gerardo Méndez). He has a patented process that makes you look younger. He steals some of Hope’s – and her customers’ – show.
Things go downhill pretty quickly from there. A sexually explicit email is sent to everyone in her address book. She turns up on the internet as a sex worker, offering some pretty specific services. Someone slashes her tires.
Of course, Hope blames Angel. As the ultimate insult, Wright skips Hope’s interview and does one with Angel instead.
Jordan (Lewis Pullman), a friend of a friend who works as a life coach (or at least tries to), offers Hope his help. Marine (Michaela Jaé Rodriguez), her assistant, tries to keep the business afloat despite competing disasters.
This is where Banks shines, as Hope gradually drifts into an obsession with Angel. It’s one of those situations where you want to tell Hope she’s about to make a huge mistake (and another, and another), but she can’t see it because she’s so determined to bring him down. In her mind, it’s either her or him, and given the way even her most loyal customers show up across the street, she might be right. Banks makes the whole thing believable.
Is “Skincare” based on a true story?
The case that inspired the film involves Dawn DaLuise, who was accused of hiring a hitman to kill a rival. She spent 10 months in prison and was acquitted in 2015. She later offered “Killer Facials” and told the New York Post she planned to sue the producers over the film. That sounds like the basis for a pretty good movie, too (it even features the “Bling Ring”).
“Skincare” is more of a story about people making one ridiculously bad decision after another – and that doesn’t just apply to Hope. Fillion is perfectly cast as a sleazy presenter who is used to getting his way. Pullman (Bill Pullman’s son) adds even more complexity to this character. He keeps you guessing.
The supporting cast is a strength throughout. Erik Palladino plays a mechanic who is one of a long line of men attracted to Hope, who is far too distracted to pay attention at the moment. Wendie Malick, always welcome, stops by to inadvertently introduce Jordan to Hope while she’s getting a facial. He may be much younger than her, but she tells Hope that men of his generation are too driven by their professional ambitions to be interested in sex anyway.
The whole thing has a nice patina of grime, as it should. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who the culprit is (although the LAPD has its problems), but that doesn’t matter. Peters even pays tribute to “Sunset Boulevard” before he’s finished.
It’s not that, not by a long shot. But it’s an entertaining little film and gives Banks the kind of role she deserves more of.
‘Skin Care’ 3 stars
Great ★★★★★ Good ★★★★
Average ★★★ Bad ★★ Awesome ★
Director: Austin Peters.
Pour: Elizabeth Banks, Lewis Pullman, Luis Gerardo Mendez.
Evaluation: R for sexual content, explicit nudity, language throughout, some violence and brief drug use.
Here’s how you can watch: In cinemas from Friday, August 16th.
Review of “The Instigators”: Matt Damon and Casey Affleck can do better
Reach Goodykoontz at [email protected]. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. X: @guterK. Subscribe the weekly film newsletter.
