Skin Deep 1989

Writer Zachary “Zach” Hutton (John Ritter) finds himself in a tumultuous relationship quandary when he is caught in a compromising situation with his seductive hairdresser by his girlfriend, Angie (Denise Crosby). Enraged by what she discovers, Angie reacts by taking a gun from Zach’s nightstand, leading to a dramatic confrontation. As Zach leaps to snatch the weapon, he hastily explains that he intentionally leaves the first chamber empty to prevent any accidents. The chaos escalates as the hairdresser bolts for safety, only to have their scuffle interrupted by Zach’s wife, Alex (Alyson Reed), intensifying the already explosive situation.

After being ousted from his home by Alex, Zach pours his heart out to his bartender friend, Barney (Vincent Gardenia), expressing his longing for a warm and loving partner while yearn for the thrill of fleeting romances. In a desperate move to navigate his disheveled marital status, he turns to his lawyer, Jake (Joel Brooks), who delivers the hard-hitting news of Alex’s demands in their divorce settlement: their home, cars, and a substantial alimony package. Faced with losing everything, he decides to seek help from a therapist, Dr. Westford (portrayed by Michael Kidd), in hopes of resolving his discontent. Despite promising to leave behind the pursuit of younger women, Zach suffers a setback when, upon leaving his therapy session, he crashes his car while being distracted by the allure of a real estate broker named Molly (Julianne Phillips).

In a poignant therapy session, Zach reveals his struggles with impotency and finds himself overwhelmed with emotion when Dr. Westford encourages him to reignite his passion for writing. Desperate for a semblance of stability, he eventually acquires a house from Molly and allows her to move in, convinced she could be the anchor to his erratic lifestyle. However, the once-charming relationship takes a dark turn when, after enduring months of his infidelities, a frustrated Molly ignites Zach’s piano in a fit of rage, leading to a fiery destruction of their new home.

In the bar scene, luck strikes when Zach meets Lonnie Jones, a striking bodybuilder, who invites him over. Overcoming his insecurities, Zach finds a sense of intimacy at last. Later, he is thrown into turmoil upon hearing of Sparky (Peter Donat)’s tragic suicide. Seeking solace, he tries his luck with a striking woman at the bar, only to have her rock musician boyfriend show up, prompting a hasty retreat.

In a turn of events, after hearing raucous fights from a hotel room above, Zach encounters Amy and Rick (Chelsea Field). As the drama unfolds, Amy unexpectedly defends Zach from Rick, and the two decide to share an intimate moment. However, their plans are derailed by the return of Rick, leading to an absurd confrontation that sees Zach escaping from Rick’s clutches in a comedic clash staged in the dark.

The emotional roller coaster takes on a more serious tone during Sparky’s funeral, where Zach’s attempts to reach out to Alex are initially met with rejection. However, recognizing his plight, Alex invites him to dinner, leading to an awkward reunion filled with familial tension and the harsh reality of their fractured relationship. Despite his attempts at reconciliation, Alex explains his fears prevent him from committing fully to monogamy. After a night of heavy drinking, Zach learns Alex is moving on, which sends him spiraling into a frantic quest for answers from Dr. Westford, who reveals that personal change is often a challenging journey, made tougher by one’s inherent nature.

In a series of disastrous misadventures, including a failed attempt to locate Alex in Santa Barbara, Zach faces the consequences of his reckless behavior, ultimately witnessing Alex preparing to marry someone else. As the wedding begins, he struggles to find his voice but is thwarted by his mother-in-law. In the end, as he confronts Alex outside the ceremony, he reveals his reliance on her for salvation while she asserts the imperative that he must learn to save himself.

Desperate for guidance, he turns to Dr. Westford once again, who offers him pearls of wisdom about self-improvement. Months later, having taken the time to reflect upon his actions, Zach emerges with a new book in hand and the determination to change. At his book launch, he reunites with Alex and boldly declares his commitment to sobriety along with his impressive six-month celibacy streak. After their initial reunion, he finds solace in playing the piano, yet he remains resolute in his quest for authentic love and connection, now firmly focused on rekindling his relationship with Alex. Ultimately, Zach takes a significant step towards healing by taking Alex to a hotel room, signifying a pivotal moment of transformation in his life.