Oh, the things we do for science! And for love!
Well, well, well. Much has been written about writer/director David Cronenberg's use of body horror throughout his professional career; but -- for what my opinion is worth -- he's never been as accessible as he was when he crafted his legendary remake of The Fly. From an entirely scientific point of view, he rather deftly constructs a parable chiefly centered around the moral 'be careful what you wish for' and then layers on the prosthetics to ample supply. As others have remarked, yes, it's quite gross in its depiction of a man transforming into a man-sized fly -- along with all of the insect's rather disgusting traits -- but also retains a curious wholesomeness as it relates to the central couple's love story. Stranger things have happened.
Though I could be wrong, I think The Fly also really gave actor Jeff Goldblum his first really big break-out opportunity to show the entire world what he was capable of as a talent. The story evolves so carefully across its 90+ minutes, and Goldblum's performance does as well ... but all the time there's this wide-eyed innocence playing as a curious undercurrent ... almost like a child losing its innocence as it descends (or is that ascends?) into the most bizarre adulthood imagineable. So very, very tragic.
Geena Davis also gave a fabulous breakout performance. Like Goldblum, she was given a series of understandable and achieveable 'beats' to follow in an arc that viewers could understand and empathize with. The lovebirds last moments together are indeed heartbreaking, and Science Fiction has worked very hard to copy such intensity even today.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A brilliant but eccentric scientist begins to transform into a giant man/fly hybrid after one of his experiments goes horribly wrong."
Well, well, well. Much has been written about writer/director David Cronenberg's use of body horror throughout his professional career; but -- for what my opinion is worth -- he's never been as accessible as he was when he crafted his legendary remake of The Fly. From an entirely scientific point of view, he rather deftly constructs a parable chiefly centered around the moral 'be careful what you wish for' and then layers on the prosthetics to ample supply. As others have remarked, yes, it's quite gross in its depiction of a man transforming into a man-sized fly -- along with all of the insect's rather disgusting traits -- but also retains a curious wholesomeness as it relates to the central couple's love story. Stranger things have happened.
Though I could be wrong, I think The Fly also really gave actor Jeff Goldblum his first really big break-out opportunity to show the entire world what he was capable of as a talent. The story evolves so carefully across its 90+ minutes, and Goldblum's performance does as well ... but all the time there's this wide-eyed innocence playing as a curious undercurrent ... almost like a child losing its innocence as it descends (or is that ascends?) into the most bizarre adulthood imagineable. So very, very tragic.
Geena Davis also gave a fabulous breakout performance. Like Goldblum, she was given a series of understandable and achieveable 'beats' to follow in an arc that viewers could understand and empathize with. The lovebirds last moments together are indeed heartbreaking, and Science Fiction has worked very hard to copy such intensity even today.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A brilliant but eccentric scientist begins to transform into a giant man/fly hybrid after one of his experiments goes horribly wrong."
As studios are sadly compelled to do, the suits pushed for a sequel based entirely on the success of the original. As happens for me, I only have a vague recollection of watching it, thinking all the while about the power of the original truly being squandered by a cash grab.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
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