David Cronenberg’s THE FLY (1986) Turns 40: The Greatest/Grossest Love Story Ever Told

THE FLY (1986) d. David Cronenberg (USA/Canada)
THE FLY II (1989) d. Chris Walas (USA/Canada)

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After years of building a reputation as a fiercely intelligent filmmaker that deftly combined gooey special effects, challenging technical concepts, and emotional narrative heft, Canadian David Cronenberg finally hit the jackpot in this updating and reimagining of the 1958 classic, THE FLY. Rather than the simple swapping of heads and hands, brainy inventor Seth Brundle (played to perfection by Jeff Goldblum) sees his transporter pods inadvertently become gene splicers when a wayward fly enters the equation.

Watching the slow and horrifying evolution as the insect’s characteristics make themselves known is where Cronenberg’s customary gross-outs excel, courtesy of Chris Walas’ and Stephan Dupuis’ Oscar-winning effects. But it is Goldblum’s brilliant muti-layered characterization (often beneath pounds of makeup) of a man at war with his own body that sticks in the memory and gives the film its heart.

Geena Davis gives an equally strong performance as a reporter who is first attracted to the project as a story idea, but ends up falling in love with the doomed scientist, while John Getz turns in a terrific sleazy portrait as Davis’ boss (and ex-lover).

Howard Shore’s musical score is one of his best, and he is joined by numerous other Cronenberg collaborators, such as editor Ronald Sanders, cinematographer Mark Irwin, costume designer Denise Cronenberg, and production designer Carol Spier.

A thoughtful and thrilling meditation on disease, aging, addiction and more, this expert combination of sci-fi, horror, and love story remains (along with The Dead Zone) one of Cronenberg’s most accessible films. The sensitive and emotional script was almost entirely rewritten by the director from Charles Edward Pogue’s (Psycho III) original screenplay, though both writers share equal credit for bringing the renewed story to light.

Produced by Stuart Cornfeld and Mel Brooks (yes, he of Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles fame), this is easily one of the greatest horror offerings of the 1980s and arguably the finest genre remake ever made.

Join AC and his buzz-worthy panel of guests (Dan Caffrey, Jon Kitley, Eli LaChance, J. Luis Rivera, Chris Scales) as we celebrate 40 years of David Cronenberg’s THE FLY!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiOjwNHBnNA

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