Naked Lunch (1991) A film review by Liz Rizzo Copyright 1999 by Liz Rizzo
Starring Peter Weller, Judy Davis, Julian Sands and Roy Scheider. Written by William S. Burroughs (novel) and David Cronenberg. Directed by David Cronenberg.
There are some films that do more than tell us a story. They create a world so vivid, so lovingly created, that we feel transported. We feel that we have entered an incredible moving painting: a true motion picture. Two films that come to mind: The Fifth Element and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. In each of these very different films, including Naked Lunch, there is a story. But it is secondary to the visual world created and the experience of being in it.
Naked Lunch is loosely the tale of William Lee, or should we say author William S. Burroughs, and is loosely based on his novel of the same name. Our ill-fated protagonist is played to dry perfection by Peter Weller and is joined by a superior cast of drug addicts, writers, mysterious strangers and bugs. Yes, homoerotic bugs play a large part in this film, and if you can't handle it, you'd better get out now while you can.
As I watched this film, I couldn't help but think about `normal' authors - those who have loving families and regular writing schedules. Those for whom writing is a joy, to whatever extent that is possible. But then, who wants to watch a film about them when tormented, drugged-up, hallucinating writers give invitations like this? For as William Lee falls deeper into his bug powder drug habit, he enters a dark world called Interzone, and the trippy fun really begins.
This is not a film for everyone. Much more palatable fare has been rejected by the average audience for whom watching this film would probably qualify as cruel and unusual punishment. But surely every writer can find a little corner in Interzone, a land where typewriters become large, roach-like bugs that literally talk out of their ass and `reports' are always due. Surely every filmmaker can find something to admire in this visual triumph. And if erotic symbolism is your thing, consider this your trick-or-treat bag after a long night of knocking on doors.
An invitation to Interzone is an invitation to one author's private hell and haven. It is a strange and often uncomfortable place that draws you in even as it repels you. For as William Lee tells us, `the Zone takes care of it's own.' Care to visit?
The review above was posted to the
rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup (de.rec.film.kritiken for German reviews).
The Internet Movie Database accepts no responsibility for the contents of the
review and has no editorial control. Unless stated otherwise, the copyright
belongs to the author.
Please direct comments/criticisms of the review to relevant newsgroups.
Broken URLs inthe reviews are the responsibility of the author.
The formatting of the review is likely to differ from the original due
to ASCII to HTML conversion.
Related links: index of all rec.arts.movies.reviews reviews