Your skin. It’s your largest organ, and, assuming you are not an undead Egyptian doomed to haunt natural-history museums, at least some of it is exposed for all to see. There’s a line between “trying to look your best” and “relentlessly obsessing over every pore,” and that’s where celebrated Hollywood aesthetician and, so she hopes, soon-to-be successful businesswoman Hope Goldman ( Elizabeth Banks ) plans to blend herself in Skincare (in theaters August 16).
All seems to be going well for Hope, a cheery but perhaps slightly arrogant gal, until, one day, and for seemingly no reason, her entire world collapses. Hope’s small studio at the Crossroads of the World outdoor mall in Hollywood has a steady stream of high-thread-count clients, but her pricey line of products (imported at great expense from Italy) is just about to launch, and she’s lost one of her key backers. Luis Gerardo Méndez as Angel Vergara in Skincare Adding to her unease is the appearance of an energetic man named Angel (Luis Gerardo Méndez) directly across the patio, who has opened a slick new store (with neon!) that also offers facials, peels, and steams.
When she complains about this proximity to the landlord (John Billingsley), she is reminded that she is, indeed, behind in the rent, and in no position to complain. (Billingsley, best known as the Denoblian Dr. Phlox to Star Trek fans, puts a neat spin on the role; it’s rare to see a landlord, that most odious of creatures, played in .