Post by Allenism on Aug 6, 2020 13:13:06 GMT
I saw this for the second time after many, many years.
Irons is magnificent in the dual roles, especially as Beverly. He's never been the most loose/relaxed actor, and I wouldn't exactly describe this portrayal of mental illness/decline as "realistic", but nevertheless it's very hard-hitting performance (or set of performances, rather) that really brings home the brutalness of the story's conclusion. The screenplay itself feels oddly opaque at times, but it sort of works with Cronenberg's smooth yet detached directing style.
My only real reservation is the casting of the Bujold. She's not weak per se, but I just had a hard time buying why Beverly would form such an obssession with her. She's also too old(-looking) to be playing a woman still trying to have children. To me this feels like a role that should've been filled by someone like Barbara Hershey.
Irons is magnificent in the dual roles, especially as Beverly. He's never been the most loose/relaxed actor, and I wouldn't exactly describe this portrayal of mental illness/decline as "realistic", but nevertheless it's very hard-hitting performance (or set of performances, rather) that really brings home the brutalness of the story's conclusion. The screenplay itself feels oddly opaque at times, but it sort of works with Cronenberg's smooth yet detached directing style.
My only real reservation is the casting of the Bujold. She's not weak per se, but I just had a hard time buying why Beverly would form such an obssession with her. She's also too old(-looking) to be playing a woman still trying to have children. To me this feels like a role that should've been filled by someone like Barbara Hershey.
