Fleshtone

Fleshtone is a 1994 suspense thriller with elements of supernatural rendered in a visually compelling manner, directed by Harry Hurwitz and stars the likes of Martin Kemp, Lise Cutter and Tim Thomerson, each delivering top-notch performances that only elevate the overall feel of the drama.

Martin Kemp, best known for his role as bassist in the New Wave band Spandau Ballet, exhibits a sensational performance as the protagonist of the film. Kemp compellingly embodies the character of Matthew, a British artist who's been living in California working as a commercial illustrator. He is a creative soul grappling with conflictual emotions as his personal life takes a tumultuous turn.

Matthew shares his life and southern California home with his wife and muse, Anna, portrayed by the charming actress Lise Cutter. Anna's departure from Matthew's life and their sudden, unceremonious separation, precipitates a viral descent into a dark abyss of confusion and uncertainty for him. This moment of personal crisis also affects his work significantly - the creative in him gets overshadowed by despair and desolation. This conflict forms the crux of the story and sets the tone for Matthew’s further explorations into the realms of the extraordinary.

As Matthew's world starts to spiral, he looks to immerse himself completely in his work, as if to escape the painful realities of his broken relationship. He stumbles upon a strange Native American artifact that sparks his artistic curiosity but unbeknownst to him, this affair with the relic begins an unsettling series of events. The artifact imbues him with visions, ethereal and vivid, that manifest in his artworks. They become a source of great inspiration for Matthew but also plunge him into a vortex of supernatural occurrences.

His artwork takes a breathtaking turn as he starts to produce paintings that exhibit a touch of otherworldliness to them. Parallel to this, in his personal life, he's pursued by a mystifying woman who arrives unannounced, bearing an ominous warning about the artifact. As the narrative unfolds, the lines between the physical world and the supernatural become blurred and Matthew's life is irreversibly interwoven with elements outside of human understanding.

This is where acting veteran Tim Thomerson, impersonating a seasoned private investigator, steps in as an essential character in the movie. Thomerson executes his role impeccably, in an attempt to demystify the unexplainable events associated with Matthew’s life in line with the peculiar artifact. His sceptical character adds a fresh touch to the storyline, pulling viewers back to reality and supplementing the mystery with investigative perspective.

The film’s ambiance is marked by stark contrast, as stark as the protagonist’s personal and professional life. Mesmerizing landscapes and the beautiful Californian setting serve as a counterbalance to the supernatural aspect of the storyline, offering audiences glimpses of tranquillity amidst the intense suspense that permeates throughout.

Fleshtone boldly experiments with different genres; it's a blend of suspense thriller, supernatural mystique, and artistic exploration. It manages to keep viewers intrigued with an intricate narrative and delivers an unusual experience that's nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster. The juxtaposition of art and mysticism, reality and the supernatural, vocational pursuits and personal turmoil provides an intricate, multilayered viewing experience.

What really makes Fleshtone a memorable cinematic experience is its exploration of personal struggle and transformation catalysed by heartbreak. Kemp’s powerful portrayal of a seemingly ordinary man grappling with extraordinary circumstances is the film’s pillar of strength. The presence of supernatural elements, symbolised by the mysterious artifact, adds an extra layer of suspense and intrigue to the story.

Fleshtone is a film that merges the ordinary with the extraordinary, and reality with illusion, thereby delivering a multilayered narrative that is as captivating as it is thought-provoking. With its innovative approach to storytelling, vibrant performances, and visually stunning representations of art and mysticism, Fleshtone is a unique cinematic experience that leaves viewers with lingering thoughts, long after the credits roll.