Skin Deep (1989)

Skin Deep is a rare late-’80s comedy that dares to be both riotously physical and quietly human, using Blake Edwards’ slick timing to turn a midlife meltdown into something sharper than a string of gags. John Ritter gives one of those performances that reminds you how great he was—loose-limbed, fearless, and unexpectedly poignant—as a man whose appetites keep outrunning his better judgment. The movie’s vibe swings from sophisticated adult farce to bruised self-awareness, with a few audacious set pieces that land because they’re rooted in character rather than cruelty. It’s not for everyone—there’s plenty of sexual humor, strong language, and a lot of drinking—but if you want a comedy with real bite and a surprising streak of tenderness, this one earns its title the hard way.

Skin Deep is Blake Edwards trying to mash up a sex-farce with a booze-soaked midlife-crisis drama, using John Ritter’s likability to keep an unpleasant spiral watchable. When it works, it’s because Ritter commits and a couple of set pieces (including the infamous glow-in-the-dark bit) land with real comic timing. The problem is the movie leans hard on recycled Edwards rhythms, the energy comes in bursts rather than sustained momentum, and the women are written more like punchlines than people, which makes the whole thing feel thinner and meaner than it thinks it is. If you want a warm romantic comedy or a thoughtful take on addiction, this will likely irritate you; if you can tolerate abrasive, very adult humor and are here mainly for oddball gags and Ritter’s performance, you may get enough out of it.