Spider [2002]
Spider, unlike his earlier films, might not be bordering on the bizarre or grotesque, but it is in line with Canadian horror maestro David Cronenberg’s latent obsession with delving into the darkest of corners of the human mind. Adapted by Patrick McGrath from his own novel, Spider is a chilling and compelling account of a boy-man with a severely damaged mind, forever haunted by the dark memories of a horrible deed from his past. Released after spending twenty years in a mental asylum and allowed to take residence in a halfway house, Spider, as he roams the bleak and dreary landscapes of London, initially appears to be a man who has changed for the better, despite his many idiosyncrasies. However, we are gradually apprised of the fact that his mental decay has crossed the point of no return, and as he gets more and more enmeshed into the grimy details of his life in a dysfunctional blue-collar family, his fragile mind gets ever more close to getting irreparably and violently shattered. Ralph Fiennes has turned in a devastating, brooding, disquieting and ultimately triumphant performance as the quietly paranoid and forever muttering Spider, living an existence that is so isolated and volatile that most viewers might find the movie a difficult watch. The immaculately paced and nightmarish film also boasts of superb performances by the luscious Miranda Richardson as three distinctly different characters and Gabriel Byrne as Spider’s brutish father.
Director: David Cronenberg
Genre: Drama/Psychological Drama/Psychological Horror
Language: English
Country: UK/Canada
2 comments:
"Ralph Fiennes has turned in a devastating, brooding, disquieting and ultimately triumphant performance as the quietly paranoid and forever muttering Spider living as existence that is so isolated and volatile that most viewers might the movie a difficult watch."
Indeed Shubhajit, indeed! As always your use of word economy is peerless, and you have informed a Cronenberg film here I think is one of his top efforts. It may well even be my personal favorite. As you say in other words, it's disturbing and disorienting, and it showcases the great Canadian director at the height of his metaphorical powers, entering the darkest recesses of the human mind. I also love DEAD RINGERS and A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (not so much CRASH as others do) by SPIDER is really special, and I'm thrilled to read this effusively favorable and perceptive response to it.
Thanks a lot Sam. Yes, I too am of the opinion that Spider ranks among Cronenberg's best efforts. Like you I too loved his History of Violence. His Videodrome was also high on metaphors, but it was easy to appreciate but difficult to like. Thanks again for sharing your views about the movie and Cronenberg here.
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