Skin Deep *** (1989, John Ritter, Vincent Gardenia, Alyson Reed) – Classic Movie Review 9390

Writer-director Blake Edwards’s rake’s progress of burnt-out alcoholic writer and compulsive womaniser Zach Hutton (John Ritter) is a surprisingly sophisticated adult sex comedy, with effective visual gags, some bad taste (there is an infamous scene with a giant glowing fluorescent condom) and a pleasing, excellent performance from a star better known on TV (Three’s Company, 1976-1984, and Hooperman, 1987-1989).

The variable, prolific, clever Edwards has a penchant for schoolboy humour, but Skin Deep (1989) is often deeply amusing.

Also in the cast are Vincent Gardenia, Alyson Reed, Joel Brooks, Julianne Phillips, Chelsea Field, Peter Donat, Don Gordon and Nina Foch.

The home video company gave away a handy packet of fluorescent condoms to protect the release.

The star part was planned for Dudley Moore, who thought it was too similar to the one he played in 10 and Arthur 2: On the Rocks, so he turned it down, causing a rift between the two men.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9390

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com