A lush title sequence of naked bodies dissolv­ing into one another, the flesh peeling back like the layers of an onion, opens this intense melodrama about one man's inability to face the complexities and destructiveness of his sexual desire. Starring two of Spain's hottest and sexiest male leads, the story centers on the failing marriage of artist Elena (Ariadna Gil) and aero­-nautical engineer Alberto (Jordi Mollà), who is having a steamy affair with Diego (Javier Bardem), an orthopedic surgeon. Alberto constructs two lives for himself, moving back and forth undetected for some time.

But when his wife is alerted to Alberto's infidelity, Diego begins to make demands on his time, pressing for a commitment and wanting to know more about his life. Alberto lashes out as his two worlds collide and grows more confused about his own true identity. "I've spent my entire life passing everyone else's tests." One can't help but think of the 70s film Making Love, which depicted a similar triangle between Kate Jackson, Michael Ontkean, and Harry Hamlin. However, Second Skin is much less American, replacing that film's dispassionate, almost clinical treatment with all the heat and fury engendered in such a difficult situation.