THE FLY (1986)

David Cronenberg is perhaps those rare breed of directors who know bloody well how to submerge two different genres of sci-fi & horror. He is scientist at mind and artist at heart whose works always remain detached and refusing conformity of identification with complex plot, ambiguous characters and repressed emotions. Behind all blood gore and mutilated body and intriguing plot, he represents subconscious fear and unconscious fantasy of impregnable human mind.

Science brings a new power to human and power brings the supreme air of trust in every new invention directed either to emulate or control the life. But at the same time ‘No science invented by human is ever become full proof’. One can’t alter the natural laws without being its own victim and that’s the brilliant motive of this film. A scientist named Brundle working on teleportation experiment successfully teleports inanimate objects from one telepod to another. Slowly he attempts it on ape and last on himself. Unfortunately a fly became a part of process and computer got confused about what to do with two different genetic patterns which resulted as fusion of Brundle and Fly at molecular genetic level and next we see the slow transformation of genetic split disorder in him. His ill fate is witnessed by her journalist girlfriend Veronica, whose curiosity slowly shifted to love. Here horror is blended with tragic love story where a lover in terrible mutilated abstract shape requesting beloved to release him with soulful eyes. Great Cronenberg moment!

Nobody can show body-psychic mutation scenes better than Cronenberg and here too we see the slow disintegration of Brunden from human to housefly. Another fine characteristic of Cronenberg films are that he never uses stuffed or stockpile characters in any of his films. Even if a character is there for a single scene, it serves its significant purpose in plot or narration. Here there are just three characters and he maintained and justified fine balance between them. He didn’t need great actors or big budget to prove his auteur. Even special effects and make up were used to bring the required intensity of the plot rather than glorify the visuals for which Hollywood is famous. The use of visual effects and make up brilliantly portrayed the slow degeneration of Brendonfly.

Brilliant director, brilliant film.

Ratings- 8.5/10