Review of Brainstorm (1983) by Allan C — 04 Dec 2016

This film had a better concept behind it than was the actual film. The story revolves around a group of scientists who figure out how to record their experiences, whether it's skydiving, eating a delicious dinner, or even sex.

When one scientist is alone in the lab and has a heart attack, Louise Fletcher in a excellent performance, she records her death experience. If the film has focused on that plot element, I think this would have been a much more interesting of metaphysical story, but instead the film goes down a familiar path of the military wants to use the technology military purposes and the idealistic scientists want to stop them from misusing their device.

The film does have some interesting what-if ideas early in the film in regards to how virtual reality might be used, which is especially interesting since VR is now becoming more of a reality. The film was directed by Douglas Trumbull and he uses an interesting technique of the real world being a smaller aspect ratio, but when characters use the VR device, the film jumps into a widescreen fisheye hyper distorted version of reality.

The film is based on story by Bruce Joel Rubin, who'd later write other smart death themes films like "Ghost," "Jacob's Ladder" and also "Deadly Friend." I'm guessing that his original screenplay would have been much more interesting.

But on the plus side, Christopher Walker is very good in the lead, as is Natalie Wood in her film film role. You also have a good early score by James Horner. This film also had a more interesting of behind the scenes story surrounding the mysterious death of Natalie Wood than was the actual film as well (Wood drown during filming on a boat at sea with Walden and husband Robert Wagner).