Skin Deep (1989)

In Blake Edwards's comedic exploration of self-destruction, "Skin Deep" (1989), John Ritter stars as Zach Hutton, an unemployed writer navigating the tumultuous waves of his life. Zach, trapped in the crossfire of personal meltdown, is battling not just a crippling writer's block, but also a spiraling descent into alcoholism and a relentless obsession for womanizing. His ex-wife, still the object of his ill-advised affection, wants to sever their troubled bond completely, her family's disdain for him as palpable as ever. Zach's life, already hanging by a thread, spirals further out of control. His house, a victim of a disastrous fire, is no more than rubble. His literary agent, the once-sturdy anchor in his professional life, stands on the precipice of death. But in this chaotic whirlwind, Zach's charm and relative wealth endow him with an unwavering resilience, allowing him to persist in his reckless pursuits. Edwards, in his quintessential style, observes Zach's escapades with an air of amused detachment. Zach's romantic entanglements are far from mundane. One incensed girlfriend torches his piano, while another lures him into a ludicrously hilarious condom duel with her rock-star boyfriend, both sporting glow-in-the-dark armors. Yet, beneath the surface of these absurd encounters, there lies an intriguing subtext that Ritter skillfully brings out amidst the wild farce. With his life on a downward spiral, Zach turns to Barney, the fatherly bartender who's been pouring him drinks long past his tab's end, and Dr. Westford, a psychiatrist who sees through Zach's facade. Both implore him to cease his self-destructive habits. "Skin Deep" is an engaging portrayal of a man's chaotic journey through life, a comedy that balances hilarity with poignant undertones, and a film that leaves you laughing while contemplating the complexities of the human condition.

Skin Deep is a comedy movie featuring John Ritter.

Skin Deep is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Plex and Plex Player and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video.

It is also possible to buy Skin Deep on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.