What a heartbreaking horror story...

Rating: 9/10 (4 February 2014)

David Cronenberg's "The Fly" (1986) is one of those rare occurrences in the film world where a remake is eons ahead of it's predecessor in every possible way. The original "The Fly" was pretty much a one note horror quickie, notable only for the presence of horror film icon Vincent Price and the ridiculous and often spoofed visual of a fly caught in a spider's web crying in a cartoonish voice "help me!" Back then, as today, people laughed at it's foolishness.
But in 1986, Cronenberg, who has always been a thinking man's horror auteur, chose to take the same story, and infuse it with emotion, character development, a small bit of social commentary, and last but not least, romance. Taking the core idea of teleportation gone horribly wrong, "The Fly" centers on maverick scientist Seth Brundle, (played in a tour De force by Jeff Goldblum in what is easily his finest on screen work ever)who designs an invention that he claims will "change humanity and life as we know it forever", that being an operable and functioning teleportation system which can disintegrate matter completely and re-integrate it completely in another location in less then a second.
His invention is revealed to a science magazine reporter, Ronnie, played by Geena Davis (who would, coincidentally wind up marrying Goldblum in real life for a few years in the wake of this film.) At first, it seems Brundle's invention will be the dawn of a new age of transportation and technology, and as Ronnie willingly documents his work, the two fall in love. But, a past relationship Ronnie has had with her former lover and current editor results in Brundle's feelings of jealousy, so much so that one night, out of aggravation and hurt, he decides to teleport himself to test the telepods on living matter. The experiment succeeds, but unfortunately goes awry when a common housefly gets trapped in the pod with Brundle, unbeknownst to him at the time.
Here is where the significant and much better differences between Cronenberg's version and the original begin. Instead of winding up with a silly looking fly head on his body, as in the original, the change to Brundle starts much more slowly. His stamina and overall strength is increased, much to Brudle's delight, but as time wears on, his body starts to deteriorate as it begins to metamorphose, not into a fly, but a genetic fusion of a creature never before created, a hybrid of a human being and a fly. During all of this, Ronnie is at first horrified, and then heartbroken over what is happening to Brundle. Worse still, for her, she realizes she may be carrying the unborn child of whatever Brundle is becoming.
In the end, as Brundle becomes more monster and less man, Ronnie heartbreakingly realizes that she must do for him one last act of compassion, to put him out of his agony, permanently. The last moments of the film will both cause you revulsion, but at the same time, tears of sadness over the tragic predicament our couple has found themselves in.
Made during the 80's, at a time when the AIDS virus was running rampant and sex and sexuality were fast becoming things to be feared, rather then embraced, "The Fly", under Cronenberg's direction, presents Brundle's rash decision without forethought as a metaphor for the precariousness of exposing oneself to unseen peril without rational deliberation.
Some people have found themselves disliking this version of "The Fly", either for it's graphic and rather disgusting special effects, and others have objected to it's heavily implied, but never really shown, sexual content. Where you stand on this issue depends on your ability to see the subtext that lies beneath the narrative. Rare is the film that can be taken both as an engaging work of fiction, and yet still provide topical commentary on notions and attitudes of the day. "The Fly" works well on both these levels, and ultimately provides both a gripping tale of science, horror and love gone wrong, and a cautionary message of being aware of the consequences of your actions before there is no going back.
It's been said by many that Goldblum should have garnered at least an Oscar nomination for his work here, if not the prize itself. I'm inclined to agree. If the purpose of award winning acting is to present a character so vividly and emotionally resonant with the viewer, then Goldblum's work meets and exceeds that requirement quite handily. Sadly, the notorious "Academy" has never held much respect for films from the horror or science fiction genres. It would not be until "Silence Of The Lambs", five years later, that a horror film would be lauded at the highest level.
But, be that as it may, "The Fly" is definitely worth your time and attention. Be prepared to be shocked, stunned, saddened, and as Geena Davis opines in the film, "Be afraid...be very afraid..."