Antonio Banderas Revisits His Spanish Roots With Almodóvar Film

By Ikam Acosta

Spanish international film star Antonio Banderas has made a name for himself in Hollywood with such films as Zorro, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and Desperado. He has recently returned to his Spanish roots by teaming up with director Pedro Almodóvar for his latest film, The Skin I Live In.

In the film, Banderas plays a psychopathic doctor, much resembling Dr. Frankenstein, who experiments with skin grafting while keeping a patient captive in his home. The film was screened during the Cannes Film Festival as La Piel Que Habito, shocking audiences and Almodóvar fans who had become accustomed to his portrayals of dark humor and were not used to such terror-inspiring tales.

Antonio commented on what a refreshing change it was working again with Almodóvar. Banderas is currently working on Puss in Boots, a more familiar genre like his recent movie Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D.

Almodóvar had casted Banderas in previous films, such as Law of Desire and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, after discovering the young actor in the sexually provocative Labyrinth of Passion in 1982.

The actor finds Almodóvar's style is not "as baroque as he used to be" and "more profound in certain ways." Almodóvar is considered a "star maker" after also introducing la guapísima Penelope Cruz and sending her off to Hollywood stardom.

The Skin I Live In is a welcome change from Banderas more recent roles in family films. The outrageous nature of Almodóvar's films make this genre an acquired taste. Some even believe this latest one is a bit "too strange," despite the rave reviews it received at Cannes.

Banderas, however, enjoys the departure from his recent more mainstream films. He finds it refreshing to play a role where he can revisit his roots and feel "the taste of acid" in his mouth. He feels a "bitter but good taste of danger" when he explores places he's never been to before, and this film provides him with a proper vehicle.

Do you prefer a family-friendly Antonio or the renegade Banderas of Almodóvar films?

Tags Antonio Banderas, Blogger: Ikam Acosta, Celebrities, Movies and CineMás, Pedro Almodovar, Penelope Cruz