Tough topics are tackled in Gregg Araki's latest directorial effort, Mysterious Skin. While I was unfamiliar with Araki's filmmaking repertoire up until this point, apparently the director of mostly 'controversial' work seems to be applauded, just as often as he's lynched. In Mysterious Skin, Araki takes on the often taboo subject matter of sexual abuse towards children. In a grisly, up close and in your face fashion, mind you. Amazingly, Mysterious Skin manages to cross lines, remaining overly explicit, without that much 'actual' explicitness to behold. Chalk that one up to a talented director/storyteller if you will.

It's the early 80's and we're introduced to Brian (Brady Corbet) and Neil (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) two very different children, who share a little more in common than the little league team they play on. Neil has figured out early on in life that he is a homosexual, and is attracted to his team's hunky coach (played by Bill Sage). Brian is convinced that aliens have abducted him, even going so far as to reminisce about a time he watched a UFO fly overhead with his mother and older sister from the roof of their house. There's no doubt that he's fully convinced himself of this.

Flash forward and at 18, neither of them has adjusted well. Brian is still chasing down his alien abductors and he even goes so far as to develop a bizarre relationship with another young lady who believes she was abducted as well. Neil is now a hustler turning tricks in his small hometown. With the undying support of his mutual friends Eric (played by Jeffrey Licon, coming across as an overly gay version of Duckie from Pretty in Pink) and Wendy (Michelle Trachtenberg, who he eventually shacks up with in New York). However, being a small fish in a big pond doesn't fit well with Neil, when his tricks in the big city eventually turn nasty. It isn't until Brian digs deep into his subconscious and decides to seek Neil out (while Neil's visiting home for the holiday's) that the two are able to finally open up (to each another) and perhaps even come to grips with their eerily haunted pasts.

Mysterious Relationship?

Mother and Son? Only in the Midwest! Ouch! (Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Film Society)

Mysterious Skin is a film that can be easily dismissed if one were so inclined. However, the real trick comes in how difficult it is to actually accept. With such naturally convincing performances from the child actors, one can only wonder how Araki was able to pull it off. Extracting a decent performance from a child is hard enough, adding to this mix the tricky subject matter at hand (and how it's handled) it should have been nearly impossible. But it works, and it works well. It's not an easy task, causing your audience members to squirm. And I found myself squirming quite a bit here. And it's not just the peformances brought forth by the children either. There's a great ensemble cast on display here, many of which I have already mentioned. Also worth mentioning is the fantastic performance given by Elizabeth Shue who plays Neil's overly affectionate mom. She's incredible in just about everything I see her in; she's not used nearly enough in Tinsel Town.

The real appeal here manages to shine through in the films' execution. With layers of information to be dealt out, Araki manages to peel away, one at a time with slight reveals. Even though we know where the story is headed, it's the pacing and spot on timing of Araki's reveals that make them so compelling. Despite how familiar or obvious they may be in the end. Perhaps Araki is painting a picture a little more realistic then we'd like to acknowledge. Despite of (or because of, depending on how you look at it) its disturbing subject matter and upsetting execution, Mysterious Skin is an extremely watchable and affecting film that comes highly recommended.

Thumbs Up Disturbingly well-executed