‘I’ve often thought that there should be beauty contests for the insides of bodies…’
This was my first viewing of David Cronenberg’s twisted thriller Dead Ringers. This information would typically be unremarkable, most of the films I watch I am watching for the first time, I mention it here because I thought I had seen it and didn’t like it. Roughly 20 minutes into this viewing, I realised that I was mistaken. That is the only explanation for why it has taken me so long to watch what is one of Cronenberg’s key texts…
Elliot and Beverly Mantle (Jeremy Irons pulling a double shift) are twin brothers and up-and-coming names in the field of gynaecology. As nobody can tell them apart, the brothers share everything, their work, their addictions, even women. Things begin to fall apart with the introduction of Claire Niveau (Geneviève Bujold) – a temptress and an enabler who nevertheless cares for the brothers (or at least for one of them).
This being a Cronenberg film, there is some body horror, particularly prevalent in the gynaecology scenes (the brothers use instruments that resemble medieval torture devices) but the plot doesn’t centre around body horror. Instead, this is more of a character study, an opportunity for an actor at the top of his game to explore what it means to be emotionally tied to another person, an exploration of duality, of nature vs nurture. This is not an easy watch by any means but Irons’ exquisite performance ensures that it is a compelling one. One scene in which he bursts into an awards ceremony absolutely shitfaced and proceeds to horrify everyone in attendance is worth the entry fee alone.
It’s hilarious that Dead Ringers is actually one of Cronenberg’s more accessible works and yet it’s still mad as a box of frogs. This is what keeps people coming back to the Canadian director’s work. He is a truly singular and unique filmmaker.