User Reviews

There really are not that many, but certain shows just sneak up after awhile and grab you. Sensitive Skin is one of those productions, in both the characters and the story-line. You start off somewhat unimpressed, but then you begin to connect, and you cannot stop being drawn in. And towards the end of the first series, you are caught up in both plot and the lives of some individuals you thought you would not have that much interest at the very beginning. And it's not that she has been ignored, but for much of her career Kim Cattrall has not been center stage as much as she deserves to be.. but here she shines, and it's one of her finest overall works to date. This is her show, nuanced and subtle, she is just outstanding. Where it leads to a second season can only be guessed at, but it is very much anticipated by those that have come to truly appreciate this fine little TV series.

Based upon a British series, Sensitive Skin presents an affecting and strikingly-filmed series based upon the reflective angst of ageing and progressing through middle age. However, while centrally a drama, there is also a seam of comedy, and this often provides narrative problems as the central actors, Kim Cattrall and Doug McKellar (playing spouses Davina and Al) often seem to be in two completely different narratives. With regard to McKellar, he is frequently caught up in zany and wacky sitcom-style farce, while Cattrall is part of a meditative and emotional drama, and Cattrall wins out. Her scenes are often starkly beautiful and her performance is stellar, but then they are undercut by jarring, unrealistic and sometimes tiresome comedy antics (although Elliott Gould's turn as a dubious doctor works well). It is obvious that Al (and son, Orlando) are meant to exacerbate Davina's ennui, but the tonal shifts make the series uneven and more focus on Davina's point-of-view would have elevated it. Nevertheless, Sensitive Skin is still highly engaging and effectively produced - I just would have liked to have seen more of Davina and her world-view.

The show is based on an original British series of the same name that Kim Cattrall had interest in producing an American remake since a long time. Seems that while in agreements with HBO to perform Samantha Jones in Sex And The City movies, one of Cattrall's requirements was HBO to help her produce the show. HBO found the show unviable to their American schedule, but could make it thru its Canadian subsidiary.

The 6 episodes series is about a former model and actress in a middle age crisis that works in a art gallery and is married to a writer. She is always putting herself under constantly physical self analysis when she faces that time is passing thru her eyes. That's kinda ironic because Kim Cattrall is an actress and former ex-model in her 50's and also considered one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation.

In the very beginning of the first episode, Davina is being advised about the consequences of the use of hormones. The camera angle and the character's position makes Davina looks quite fragile, very different from what we usually see about Cattrall's natural exuberance. Her last lines before the show uses its own scenes for the opening sequence is quite interesting, giving the one and only resemblance of what we so used to see about Samantha Jones, a character that is far away from any references in this show after that. At first the aspects of the show would lead us to understand it as a drama, but in fact it has a very slight dark and cringe humor, but few of them are delivered by Davina. Most of its humor is delivered by Don Mackellar's instead and other supporting ones that make some guest appearances during the episodes. Mackellar's presence makes the show itself get lost in its primary idea, and the story about a middle age woman then becomes about her and also her husband instead. The story wastes much of its time with parallel situations reducing its potentials and overshadowing Cattrall's character. Seems that Davina does not have strength to lead the show, but that's not because she is uninteresting, but because writers couldn't make her life and personal crisis interesting enough.

Takes some time to get caught by the show. In 6 episodes, more than half of it makes its supporting characters stronger than its main character, giving the impression that we are watching 2 different shows in one: one about Davina and the other one about her pathetic husband's misadventures, which is a shame, because Davina has an incredible underused depth.

It is beautifully filmed. Kim Cattrall is amazing as always, but as I said, she is overshadowed by elements that definitely should not be used to fade her, but to support. Unfortunately the show does not deliver what it promises in the very beginning of its first episode, which is the opportunity to make Kim Cattrall shines and make her character the center of a very interesting discussion about the difficulties of dealing with the pressures of society and the media about aging.

Interesting show, but lost in its own ideas.

This has a really great premise, its a story world that I haven't seen done before, yet has wide appeal. An extension of the Thirty Something, Cold Feet with just a hint of Northern Exposure magic realism. It's funny, she's brilliant and shows herself to be a really serious actress. All the actors are really strong, and I think the DOP is a genius. I don't like the title. I'd avoided it for awhile because I thought it might be about plastic surgery - the title and the publicity image don't work for me. I think they also make it seemed as though it's pitched at a female audience, which I don't think it needs to be. It is a brilliant 50 something gem. Maybe she needs to take it over slightly. It's probably missing the Larry David character, and I think there might be hesitance to really push the female lead aspect. Which seems odd after Sex and The City. There are lots of aspects that I think are very real, the health neurosis, the attempts to find a new "mode" of life. The complexity of relationships. The everyday drams of everyday life - like parking, and neighbours and the sofa that seemed like a good idea, etc., Please make some more.

Honestly if I wouldn't have turned the TV on that one time at around midnight, before going to sleep, I would never bother trying watching it. But it captivated my interests right away. Very interesting style (I would try to describe it as a weird blend between Coen Brothers cinematography and a slight Woody Allen vibe), story made up from small encounters, black humor, make up for a really witty and well written show. Since the first episode I just binge-watched as it is quite addicting. The story is surprising and funny, acting is super, characters are interesting, style is super unique and refreshing. A very pleasant surprise.

Funny, witty, and poignant, though I feel that my age group will pick up what is laid down much more deeply than younger viewers. Some things in life are only really understood when you have either been there, or are able to imagine it because you know it is coming, probably sooner than you hope. Scenes like the old woman dying, and lines like, 'we are all at deaths door. Some of us just have our hand on the doorknob', make this show one of the best on tv.

Kim gives a truely wonderful performance, she is both subtle and overtly emotional in all the right places. She lays bare the heart and soul of her character, making her both tough as nails, then frail and vulnerable. Davina becomes a character that is immensely relateable as she navigates the uncertainties and regrets and hopes of those of us who are sliding between middle age and seniorhood.

There are also a couple of very entertaing supporting turns by Elliot Gould at his low-key , subtle comedic best, and the wonderful Mary Walsh in top form, delivering her lines with her characteristic acerbic wit and aplomb.

There was a problem for me though, with the performance of Don McKellar as Al. It was such an unevenly developed characterization, he seemed at times to be going for a Woody Allen vibe, but lacked the necessary spontenaity, wit, and energy. At other times he tried to be profound and philosophical, but the lines that were supposed to be breezy and off-the-cuff, just came across as a badly written speech and were delivered with all the subtlety of pieces of falling concrete.

But thankfully Kim was almost always onscreen, and she singlehandedly carried the entire weight of the story, with a less skilled actress at the helm, the entire premise of this series could have easily slipped into soapy melodrama. But instead it was a very engaging exploration of the human experience of aging.

You have to watch this show! Wonderful, intelligent, heartwarming. Just wish it hadn't ended after two seasons. Great cast and fabulous acting.

I am really enjoying this program.

I have just become a widow at 58 years of age (lost my husband to an accident) so also unexpected. I can totally relate to what Davina is feeling and going thru. I like how she is able to talk to her deceased husband and discuss their lives, past and present. And how Davian is trying different things and life styles as now she is alone and young enough to know she has a long life ahead of her. What will she do? What will I do?

I can't believe what a great job Kim is doing is portraying a grieving widow, I forget that she is acting. Thank you for this program, it is helping me carry on! Thank you Kim! keep up the good work !

I binged on the original British series, which affected me greatly, but was a bit uneven in the writing. I looked forward to the Canadian version because I thought the bumps might have been smoothed out.

Yikes! The scripts for the Canadian version rely on sit-com clichés and even when scenes are close to the British original, the performances eliminate the humor and emotion.

Joanna Lumley said that one interpretation of the main character is that she is a potential suicide. Kim Catrall's Davina is too perky for that. She lacks the humanity and dry humor that Lumley brought to the role. Look at the first scene in the second episode. Lumley stands politely patronizing a high school aquintence, until she learns the woman's profession. Even though the Canadian script is almost identical, the humor of that moment of revelation is gone because the reality is not there. Catrall mugs and makes a big show of her responses. The acquaintance punches up her delivery. So the scene goes nowhere.

The less said about the rest of the cast, the better.

I wanted to like this show but it did not deliver enough. It spent too much time setting up jokes that are neither funny nor original. Season 1 of Sensitive Skin was much better. Episode 1 of season 2 did not come close to making me laugh. There were a handful of lame, clichéd jokes telegraphed. The characters were not believable, perhaps because the dialog was as lame as the jokes. Like so many shows, it relies more on eye candy interior decorating than on clever writing. I don't fault the actors since they had little to work with. Season 1 had some great scenes - the visits to the doctor, the encounter with an old school friend. Episode 1 of season 2 had nothing.