Saturday, August 2, 2008

The Architects of Fear

Author(s): Tony (PA)
The Architects of Fear

Directed by David Cronenberg
Written by David Cronenberg and Josh Olson
Based on the Outer Limits episode "The Architects of Fear"
Music by Philip Glass

Principal Cast:

Viggo Mortensen as Allen Leighton
Jennifer Connelly as Yvette Leighton
William Hurt as Dr. Phillip Gainer
Danny Huston as Dr. Hal Herschel

Tagline: "To stop fear, we must unite. To unite, we must fear"

Synopsis:

Eleven of the most credible scientists in the country sit at the round table. The room is dark with the glare of cigarette smoke hovering over the table. Years have gone by since the war has started and fear is among every household. With multiple threats of attack over the years, the last resort is to unite. If humanity itself is threatened, men will stop fighting each other and work together. At the head of the table is Dr. Phillip Gainer, the chairman of the Advanced Biological Studies Group. He gives this insightful speech and proposes an idea, that if they were able to create an outside being, something the world has never seen, proof that we are not alone, nations will bond. The idea to use genetic alteration by using a mysterious life form not publicly discovered yet. The studies and surgical procedures are perfected, they only need a participant. After a drawing, Allen Leighton was chosen.

Allen Leighton lives a normal life for a scientist. He's quiet, down to earth, and has been married to his wife, Yvette, for twelve years. Yvette is as good hearted as her husband. Her kindness and love she devotes to Allen only makes his situation more unfortunate. He must give it all away to go through with the experiment, including his unborn child, Yvette being three months pregnant.

The process begins with a single shot, followed by holding Allen in a cell, exposing the alteration inside him. After the painful ordeal, Allen must arrange his death preparations. He informs Yvette that he's traveling out of town for a seminar across the country, his last goodbye. Weeks go by and Phillip must tell Yvette the tragic news, that Allens private jet never made its destination. The news hits hard for Yvette, but deep down she refuses to believe it. With the help of acclaimed scientist Hal Herschel, the transformation begins. Days go by as Allen's skin begins to crack as he feels his organs slowly change every day. The more he misses Yvette, the more hostile and hopeless he becomes. An outraged Gainer must keep Allen's spirits high while comforting Yvette. While dealing with her pain, Yvette questions the words around her and begins to search the truth to what really happened to her husband.

The change worsens as Allen begins to have violent tantrums and schizophrenic episodes. He barges out of his restraints with angry tendencies. He attempts to call the one thing he remembers in his life, Yvette, only for her to hear the desperate screams that strikingly sound like her husband as Gainer and Herschel struggle to contain him. Months go by and the experiment is complete. An emotionless creature is confined, unlike anything anyone has ever seen before. Their plan is to fly him out of the country at a designated target for the world to see and have the idea more will come. It is too late, the creature is so overpowering he manages to kill his way out of the laboratory. His remaining instinct is to go home. He enters his home as Yvette stares in fright. The creature struggles to breath and reaches out to her as he crumbles to the floor. Gainer and the remaining scientists enter the room to see their creation die in front of them. The change was too much for him to handle. Yvette knees to the ground and puts the pieces together. Her cry is screaming, her last goodbye.

What the press would say:

The public have been striving for a film like "The Architects of Fear", one that captivates the essence of horror blended in with remarkable storytelling, beautiful imagery, stunning acting, and a cerebral emotional experience. What was once shown as an hour long episode on The Outer Limits is now remastered, retold, and redone in such spectacular fashion. David Cronenberg signed his name as the director and writer of the film, bringing his legendary horror elements to the screen, along with screenplay writer of History of Violence, Josh Olson. Together, the two clash and blend their own respectful styles into one gem. Olson masters the home life scenes, the hidden tension between the characters that we can only assume is going through their mind. Meanwhile, Cronenberg also covers traumatizing human nature into a graphic, unforgettable fantasy. Cronenberg overwhelms us with a sublime mixture drama and misery. Beyond all that lies a tragic love story about a husband and wife that we feel absolutely hopeless for that we ourselves feel hopeless. A beautifully illustrated romance between Allen and Yvette is so staggering that we eagerly, yet painfully wait for the unhappy ending to follow. An ending to which there is a great suspense created through the entire film that builds up to that one scene where our main characters are together one more time.

Viggo Mortensen is our lead guy. He plays the humble scientist Allen Leighton. Leighton reminds us all of the ideal husband. Loyal, mild mannered, intelligent, a hard worker, but has time to cook his wife dinner and watch a movie together. Although his job is demanding, his smile never disappears when he's with his love. Mortensen is shockingly excellent in a difficult role that must connect with us viewers so we can feel his pain as his transformation continues throughout the film. As it worsens, no longer do we see his understated charm. We can see the torment and helplessness through this astonishing performance that is worthy of Academy attention. Jennifer Connelly plays his wife, Yvette. Connelly's acting is undeniably convincing that along with her chemistry with Viggo, it makes the film into what it is. Her performance can be compared to Viggos, as far as character developments. Connelly shows great range from being emotionally destraut after hearing her husband is dead, but as the film goes on she becomes more suspicious and she can't believe anything she hears. She doesn't know why they would lie, but that sinking feeling in her gut that her husband isn't dead doesn't go away. Instead of feeling pain because of her deceased husband, she feels that he is alive and there's nothing she can do about it. A pure, unadulterated masterful performance. Finally, William Hurt joins the cast as a very interesting character in Dr. Phillip Gainer. Hurt is the wildcard that the viewers don't know how to look upon, which is a great feeling to have as an actor. He truly believes what he's doing is for the good of mankind, but guilt is inevitable. Although he cares for the two of them, he's a manipulator that looks at science as top priority. It's debatable whether his actions are justified, but one is for sure, Hurt is electrifying in his attempts.

"The Architects of Fear" is a film that cannot be taken lightly. From its haunting music cues to sinister outcomes, it never fails to disappoint. At times it may not be pleasant to look at, but every scene serves a purpose, even the graphic ones that aren't overly done but sophisticated. An intelligent, science fiction love story that pays tribute to the 1963 episode. Cronenberg takes his new found wits he gained from "History of Violence" and "Eastern Promises", and combines them with his intense atmosphere and uneasy vibes from his horror classics. Beneath the brilliant make-up effects and "yucks" there lies a strong core. It's the events that change our characters emotionally, not physically, that inspires the true horror. A horror none of us will forget anytime soon. That being said, it's a lesson of its own. One that says there is no magical substitute for mutual love.

FYC:

Best Picture
Best Director - David Cronenberg
Best Actor - Viggo Mortensen
Best Actress - Jennifer Connelly
Best Supporting Actor - William Hurt
Best Adapted Screenplay - David Cronenberg and Josh Olson

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