Review of Naked Lunch (1991) by Mark G — 23 Feb 2008

Upon first viewing, this is already one of my favorite films. Rather than trying to literally adapt Burroughs disjointed, horrific, and hallucinatory novel, Cronenberg brilliantly wrote his screenplay as a metafictional, semi-biographical look at Burroughs own presence in the world his novel explored in the wake of his extreme drug use (but like the book, no "real" drugs are mentioned and all drugs present in the film are metaphorical).

Peter Weller delivers an understated, stellar performance while the remaining cast, including Ian Holm, Julian Sands, and the late Roy Scheider, provide excellent supporting roles. My experience with the film may have actually been enriched by reading the book before seeing the film, unlike many other films based on books where reading the book first only makes one hate the movie.

An incredibly original, thought-provoking, and disturbing look at the agonies involved in the writing process and the relationship between an author and his works.