In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Saturday 8 October 2011

The Fly (1986)


This is such a defining movie for me. Jeff Goldblum is perfectly cast as Seth Brundle (aka, Brundlefly), the scientist that toys around with teleportation pods, with expectedly horrifying results. With gory make-up effects that would make Beetlejuice and The Terminator proud. You relate so well with the character that it becomes much more than a horror movie as you’re taken through the wringer with him on that tremulous physical and pathological breakdown. It’s like watching a train wreck and there’s nothing you can do about it. That just makes it all the more tragic and unbearable to watch, and that ending never fails to make me cry, every time. Cronenberg’s masterpiece, as far as I’m concerned.

5 "relics" in Brundlefly's medicine cabinet out of 5

2 comments:

Lyedecker said...

i don't consider this a horror film, despite all the gory effects. it's a modern day tagedy/love story. you really feel for the characters, even stathis, who despite his total douchebaggery, simply wants to protect his ef-girlfriend.

brundle is such a nice guy in the beginning and watching him helplessly transform and deteriorate is just heartwrenching.

i've heard this movie is a commentary on AIDS, though cronenberg himself says it is not about AIDS, but aging.

cuckoo said...

5 out of 5. Without a doubt.