Chicken Skin (2001) User Reviews (3)

Black comedy set in Asturias with amusing situations , silly roles and far-fetched events

[ma-cortes · 5/10 · 20 March 2014]

Roaring and twisted film with odd characters , surreal imagery and twisted plot . Black humor gives way to strange as well as hilarious situations , closely followed by embarrassing events that doesn't take long in coming to a head in undisguised pandemonium . The movie is set in Asturies, north of Spain . A very prosperous land with coal mines , tourism , wealthy owners and gorgeous landscapes but there's a time of crisis and recession are collapsing down the industry , mines and progress . Nowadays , the impoverished people are living from subsidies because they are with no jobs . But suddenly the subsidized grandfather (Txema Blasco) has dead , and he has the only money that gets into the family . And they need that cash and so the pensioner must stay alive , then his sons (Karra Elejalde, Maxi Rodríguez..) , daughter-in-law (Anabel Alonso) and remaining family (Ampara Valle) carry out an astute plan as the grandfather seems to be alive . It all ends with a breathtaking and operatic duel between Guardia Civil , miners whose mines are closing and the incredible family .

This is a full-on surreal Psychotronic black-comedy , it is so excessive and outrageous that blends thrills , as well as a funny script full of dark humor , entertainment , and exciting situations . Packed with scenes of absurd nature , this story is a fantastic farce, as we follow the ridiculous situations of a varied group of quirky characters whose destination is dictated by their exaggerated ambition . The main premise about the deceased grandfather is overspread throughout the movie , but not totally satisfactory , including conventional pitfalls . The narration is so filled with crazy characters , nutty comedy, mixed with surreal elements and an underlying sense of tragicomedy, and and plenty of surprises, one can't help but keep watching, much as it is over the top in . The film works on various levels , however contains some embarrassing , contriving moments and also certain excess . Good acting by Karra Elejalde as a selfish 40-ish son now forced to face the death his father and sets up an uproar as well as pretentious caper . Nice support cast such such as Nathalie Seseña as Adelina , Amparo Valle as Teresa , Txema Blasco as grandfather Luisón , Eduardo Antuña as Amador , Isabel Ordaz as Carmina and Maxi Rodríguez who is also screenwriter .

The picture was produced in medium budget by Eduardo Campoy . Eduardo is a winner producer of various hits such as ¨The girl of your dreams¨ or ¨La Niña De Tus Ojos¨, ¨Sin Noticias de Dios¨, ¨Corazon de Guerrero¨, ¨Pasion Turca¨ , ¨Teta and Luna¨, Baton Rouge¨ and occasionally director such as ¨Al Limite¨, and ¨A Solas Contigo¨ . The motion picture was professionally directed by Javier Maqua , though contains some flaws and gaps . Maqua reigns in a peculiar style similarly to Alex De La Iglesia , the King of black comedy , this time around and delivers a watchable takedown of ambition and obsession that certainly delivers some madly inspired moments . Director Javier Maqua is a writer and director, especially known for Chevrolet (1997), Tú estás Loco Briones (1981) and Carne Gallina (2002), that failed at Spanish Box office , being his last filmmaking .

fun movie

[dcldan · 5/10 · 30 January 2006]

We're in Asturies, top of the north of Spain. A very rich land with coal mines, excellent fishing and incredible sceneries...but there's a time of recession. The mines are closing and the people, just living because they are subsidized, are collapsing down. But suddenly the grandfather dies, who was the pensioner, the only money that gets into the family. And they need that money...so the grandfather must stay alive. That's it to say: everyone must act as if the grandfather is alive to continue living, which will provoke some stupid and funny incidents. The movie has been shot in outside sets and using a funny asturian accent, which is the equivalent (more or less) between a new yorker and someone from South Virginia, or between a londoner and someone from the Scotish Highlands. Funny movie on its funny way. It quite deserves to watch it. The acting is not quite good, but the movie doesn't demand more, good for a Saturday afternoon and to laugh a little

"Wakin' Ned" à la Spanish

[davidcarbajales · 4/10 · 6 June 2004]

We're in Asturies, top of the north of Spain. A very rich land with coal mines, excellent fishing and incredible sceneries...but there's a time of recession. The mines are closing and the people, just living because they are subsidized, are collapsing down. But suddenly the grandfather dies, who was the pensioner, the only money that gets into the family. And they need that money...so the grandfather must stay alive. The movie has been shot in outside sets and using a funny asturian accent, which is the equivalent (more or less) between a new yorker and someone from South Virginia, or between a londoner and someone from the Scotish Highlands. Funny movie on its funny way. It quite deserves to watch it.