Review of Dead Ringers (1988) by Sam T — 17 Sep 2007
Easily the most tasteful and subtle entry in Cronenberg's appalling, masterly filmography, the very conceit of Dead Ringers is enough to scare most people (especially female people) away from it. Twin gynecologists Beverly and Elliot (Jeremy Irons, who can telegraph which brother he's playing in the space of half a second, sometimes less) are enjoying what amounts to one life between them when they meet beautiful French actress Claire Niveau. Claire is just the catalyst for their descent into madness, but the symptoms of insanity bring the movie full circle into icky Cronenberg territory, especially a horrifying set of newly fabricated medical instruments "for operating on mutant women.".
No one is likely to tell you that Dead Ringers is a fun-filled romp, but it's impossible to turn away once the film shifts, almost imperceptibly, into high and terrifying gear.
This review of Dead Ringers (1988) was written by Sam T on 17 Sep 2007.
Dead Ringers has generally received positive reviews.
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