Available on several streaming platforms and apparently hyped for Black History Month—although I (and probably many others based on the lack of online reviews) missed that—indie film Love the Skin You’re In features themes regarding mental health and therapy.
It’s written by and stars Sauda Johnson-McNeal as the protagonist, Sasha, a photojournalist who faces serious issues related to running the community center her late grandmother had founded. Heightening her stress is the return of Arnold, her estranged father (Obba Babatundé), who is very ill.
Other roles include “her assistant, Yessica (Flor Delis Alicea), her childhood best friend, Melissa (Blythe Howard), and the steady, supportive voices around the center, like Ms. Emily (Adilah Barnes) and her godmother, Brookie (Marla Gibbs)” (Film Threat).
Watch the brief trailer below:
Alan Ng, Film Threat: “…(T)he focus is on the mental health and growth of Sasha…If we’re not like Sasha, we know people who are. At the crux of Sasha’s problems is her relationship with her father. He is a tough man who demands greatness from his daughter. The constant haranguing of her father’s ‘I knew it was a mistake…’ is Sasha’s key conflict…(T)he pressure builds, and Sasha goes into a full-blown panic attack.”
Despite misgivings about doing so, Sasha eventually sees a therapist, Dr. Nikki (Wendy Raquel Robinson). “She becomes exactly what Sasha needs, even if Sasha refuses to acknowledge that she needs help. Dr. Nikki provides no-nonsense advice and a keen eye as to what makes Sasha tick. What Love The Skin You’re In shows is that growing as a person often involves severe growing pains and confronting the parts of our lives we don’t want to confront, much of which involves her father.”
Lauryn Bass, Madame Noire: “In Love the Skin You’re In, starring Marla Gibbs and Wendy Raquel Robinson, loving yourself doesn’t look like bubble baths and solo vacations. It looks like re-opening old wounds, choosing therapy over silence, and learning how to say no when love threatens to make you sick.”
Darren Lucas, Movies Review 101: “Love the Skin You’re In is a meaningful film about self-acceptance, confronting the past, and the importance of personal growth amidst challenges.”
For further info, see the film’s website.
