Review of Naked Lunch (1991) by William L — 08 Apr 2009

I watched this twice. I had to do some research on Burroughs and now this movie makes much more sense to me (if sense is what you could call it.) I guess I feel like I understand what Cronenberg is doing much more the second time. The first time (not knowing anything about the book or its author) I was left with a wildly bizarre and disjointed film experience. Now I feel it is another worthy entry into the Cronen catologue. The fact that I own it is only going to help me to get more on repeat viewings. Criterion's double disc set as usual also has some supplements that I intend to use. I love those people. They take these movies and present them so well that I feel indebted to them. I doubt that I would have felt compelled to see this, Videodrome, Two-Lane Blacktop, Onibaba, The Vanishing, Vengeance is Mine, any Melville film, etc... if it werent for them getting me hooked.

Thanks Cronenberg, and thanks Criterion!