La peau de l'autre

A radical experiment allows for a dying white district attorney to have his brain transplanted into the body of a black man. The premise here is actually used to intelligent effect and looks at how this man now experiences prejudice from friends and family, while his wife struggles with intimacy with him. It raises uncomfortable questions about racism in society and how we humans usually see better than we think. Strong performances help here too and it all adds up to be a very thoughtful drama.

In this ludicrous, marginally science fiction drama a dying district attorney's brain is transplanted into an African-American (Raymond St. Jacques) whose brain has been damaged, and how he adjusts to his new body and also tries to win a big case in the process. The predictable happens: neither the whites nor the blacks will accept him, including his white wife and his black mistress. The political murder trial that resolves the D.A.'s personal dilemma hardly resolves the movie's dramatic premise, in which the viewer is expected to accept the reality of a brain transplant. Brain transplant? Despite sincere acting by St. Jacques and Susan Oliver as the wife, the movie does not promote racial harmony, further the understanding of medical progress, or entertain.

The story is told in a semi-documentary style. When it begins, a District Attorney, David Rowe, is getting the world's first brain transplant...with his race being switched in the process! Apparently, both men would die without this surgery.

Most of the film is not about the surgery but more about Rowe's reaction AND the reaction of those around him to his new body. Many dislike the new David but it's not just confined to his old race who are uncomfortable with him. What's in store for this guy in the long run?

Amazingly, while the setup is ridiculous....it is done well. At least, that is until later in the film when a plot involving a racist sheriff is introduced. It, too, is interesting...but also muddles the film's message.

While this film is not nearly as schlocky and stupid as such films as "The Thing With Two Heads" (where a racist's head is attached to a living African-American man), the story is laughable and silly....although it TRIES to make a statement about race in America. But this message is a bit confusing in the film and the story has good points to make...but also will likely make most laugh at the mere concept. As a result, it's a very interesting failure.