Skincare Star Elizabeth Banks on Aging in Modern Society

Skincare Star Elizabeth Banks on Aging in Modern Society

As a movie buff who’s seen more films than I can count, I must say that Elizabeth Banks‘ performance in ‘Skincare’ is nothing short of extraordinary. The film serves as a stark reminder of the lengths people will go to achieve success, especially in the beauty industry where youth and perfection are idolized.


We had a chat with Elizabeth Banks about her upcoming movie, titled “Skincare”. In this film, she portrays a determined yet anxiety-ridden beauty salon owner in the glamorous world of Hollywood. The movie provides a chilling exploration of the lengths people might take to achieve success, particularly within the competitive beauty scene of sunny, superficial Los Angeles. Both “Skincare” and Demi Moore’s recently buzzed-about film “The Substance” seem to suggest that our constant pursuit of beauty is a significant theme in Tinseltown at present.

I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on the topics of growing older, beauty, and self-image, particularly in the context of social media. It seems that everywhere we look, images are being filtered, enhanced with technology like Botox, and filled to create an idealized version of aging. As a supporter, I fully empathize with this perspective, and it’s crucial we have open discussions about the impact of these digital representations on our perceptions of growing older.

It seems as though we’re neglecting the advantages and insights that come with aging, especially in a world where many wealthy individuals are seeking unconventional methods such as sleeping in oxygen chambers to prolong their youth. While our fascination with eternal youth is not new, it feels particularly intense at this moment. Collectively, it can appear quite bizarre.

‘Business Is a Cutthroat Business’

Through its exploration of corporate and personal aspects, the film “Skincare” offers a vivid portrayal of Hollywood, both idyllic and harsh, focusing on a time period approximately ten to fifteen years ago. As Banks puts it, “The movie is remarkably precise in creating this LA setting. I appreciate the phrase we use in the film, ‘Beauty is a ruthless industry; business is ruthless.’ The specific details are fascinating, but at its core, I believe this movie resonates deeply with many people across various professions because it’s essentially an exploration of existential crises that are remarkably relatable.”

In the drama Skincare, the life of Hope, the business owner in Banks, takes an unexpected turn when a rival beautician named Angel opens a salon directly opposite hers. Angel offers de-aging products that could potentially surpass Hope’s Italian-made items, creating a significant challenge for her. To make matters worse, Angel is significantly younger than Hope.

Watch Our Skincare Interview with Elizabeth Banks

The character I portray, Hope Goldman, resonates deeply with me as she grapples with the fear of becoming irrelevant in a world that values novelty over age. I find myself strongly empathizing with Hope Goldman, an aging woman who struggles to maintain her significance in a field that prioritizes youth and beauty above all else.

It seems as though we can all identify with that, given our current situation where technology evolves at such a rapid pace. Frankly, it feels as if none of us are completely stable, since the way we interact, like this virtual meeting for instance, is quite different from how we would have done it, say, three years ago. In another two years, I might just be an avatar representing myself!

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2024-08-16 06:31