Thinking Man's Horror

Rating: Null/10 (11 July 1999)

David Cronenberg has always managed to direct stylish, off-beat films that bear his unmistakable touch. This film is an example of the director at his finest moment. More than anything else, this is a love story...a story of human compassion in the face of transfiguring degeneration. Jeff Goldblum excels as Seth Brundle, a man with good intentions that go bad through no fault of his own. Equally as powerful is Geena Davis as Veronica, his love. One of the main themes of "THE FLY" is how love transcends the boundaries of the physical. Even as Seth's body deteriorates and metamorphasizes into a monstrousity, Veronica never leaves his side. She remains the one constant in his life as it crumbles about him. She never lets his appearance deter her from keeping her love the only solace Seth knows. Even as Seth fights to keep in control of his mind as the mind of the fly (the instinct as opposed to the reason) continues to take over, Veronica remains at his side.
Another theme, as mentioned above, is not only the physical deterioration of the body...but the mental breakdown as well. Seth battles constantly to keep the irrational, instinct-driven mind of the fly at bay as to keep his own logic and human reasoning in control (to keep Veronica safe more than anything else).
Cronenberg has always managed to invent films that have a "body and mind" theme. Efforts such as "THE BROOD" and "VIDEODROME" relate to this theme more clearly. Despite the visceral special effects, this film remains a seminal classic. It gains and never loses a human touch that drives the horror elements home with gut-wrenching success. A must-see for Cronenberg fans and a nice, surprising shock for evryone else. You do not need to be a horror buff to appreciate this classy, but sick, film!