Runtime: 92 minutes
Directed by: David Cronenberg
Starring: Oliver Reed, Samantha Eggar (RIP), Art Hindle, Cindy Hines, Henry Beckman
From: A few different Canadian companies
RIP Samantha Eggar
She’s a name I knew for years yet hardly any of her work has been seen. That wasn’t by design, of course. As The Brood was the most famous live-action film she did and somehow it wasn’t something tackled by me despite the high regard I hold David Cronenberg… there was no better way for me to tip my cap.
Even if I didn’t tell you that I learned from the Wiki article the film was written after Cronenberg went through a divorce, that probably would be apparent. The movie isn’t the most comfortable watch-besides the estranged status of the lead couple and their five-year-old daughter caught in the middle, there’s child abuse, mental illness, controversial therapy techniques from Oliver Reed… then there’s the attacks from what looked to be humanoid creatures.
Eggar is Nola, in a contentious relationship w/ Art Hindle. I don’t want to spoil much more. Eggar was sympathetic as someone who was traumatized by her childhood and struggles while sequestered in Reed’s controversial program. The cast as a whole does well, including Hindle as a stressed-out parent and Cindy Hinds as the daughter. However, Reed is menacing as the intense Hal Raglan, always looking dapper in stylish clothing yet his stare and his demeanor so powerful, anyone could quiver; there’s role-playing and he portrays either their mother or father. Him being called “Daddy” is especially creepy with modern context of that term.
The movie is wild, especially during the final act that contains several shocking moments. It’s a chilly Canadian winter-snowy landscapes, drab period interiors, bizarre happenings—in my canon, this takes place in the same universe as Scanners, the appearances are so similar. The violin-driven score from Howard Shore (his feature film debut) was also nice. From this, you can see how Cronenberg progressed onto his unforgettable 80’s films.
It’s a bold movie presented confidently. Also confident was Eggar’s performance, no matter the outrageous turns it took, especially during the finale. The assumption is that this is one the best ways I can tip my cap to the late performer.
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