The whole jazzy 90's intro credits definitely has a beatnik vibe to it. Wow, I was not expecting to see Roy Scheider in this movie lol. But it's cool to see him. Cronenberg really nails the 50's feel with all the aesthetic in the costumes and set pieces. I really liked Peter Weller's performance in this movie. Of course in great Cronenberg fashion, this movie is very bizarre, grotesque and weird. Something I've always respected about Cronenberg is that when he has an idea, he sees it through to the end. Doesn't matter how outlandish or bizarre it may be.
Maybe Bill shooting his wife in the head was a metaphor for him freeing himself so that he can pursue his homosexual desires towards men. This is my theory since Bill is short for William and the character Bill is probably based on William S. Burroughs, the author who wrote the book, and he was gay. The report that he's having to type up is a metaphor he's created in his head as a way to keep a journal and log everything that's been going on in his life - everything that he's been thinking. That scene with all the people on typewriters at the cafe gave me a good idea for a meme lol. The fleshy face hugger creature with tentacles and the butt was one of the most disturbing and weirdest things I've seen in a Cronenberg movie.
Anyone going into this movie without knowing anything about Burroughs, his background or the Beatnik Generation will probably be completely lost. And even if you know something about him, you'd probably be turned off by how weird it is. I can't relate with all the homosexual subject matter in the movie, but I kept watching. I kept watching to see if things would get weirder or if the story would get more interesting, and to try to piece together any metaphors or symbolism. The movie has strong hedonistic qualities to it, some of which were a turn off.
Naked Lunch is basically a loose self biography of Burroughs experiences with drug addiction, homosexuality and history with his wife. It's not a necessarily pleasurable or enjoyable watch. Rather, it's more of a look inside the mind of a depraved and twisted man. It's a very well shot, well made movie that pays a lot of attention to detail. The cinematography and use of color is beautiful. It's quite a thought-provoking movie that has many scenes that stay in your mind, that you look back on. It scars the brain, which could be a good or bad thing depending on who you are. Unfortunately, the story was kind of all over the place and it's just too weird, it felt like a bad fever dream. I was kind of ready for the movie to be over once I got midway through. I'd only watch this movie again if I were in the right mindset and mood. It's definitely not a movie for everyone, not for most people. It's for a more niche crowd. But for those willing to take the plunge into the bizarre madness, I respect it.
Maybe Bill shooting his wife in the head was a metaphor for him freeing himself so that he can pursue his homosexual desires towards men. This is my theory since Bill is short for William and the character Bill is probably based on William S. Burroughs, the author who wrote the book, and he was gay. The report that he's having to type up is a metaphor he's created in his head as a way to keep a journal and log everything that's been going on in his life - everything that he's been thinking. That scene with all the people on typewriters at the cafe gave me a good idea for a meme lol. The fleshy face hugger creature with tentacles and the butt was one of the most disturbing and weirdest things I've seen in a Cronenberg movie.
Anyone going into this movie without knowing anything about Burroughs, his background or the Beatnik Generation will probably be completely lost. And even if you know something about him, you'd probably be turned off by how weird it is. I can't relate with all the homosexual subject matter in the movie, but I kept watching. I kept watching to see if things would get weirder or if the story would get more interesting, and to try to piece together any metaphors or symbolism. The movie has strong hedonistic qualities to it, some of which were a turn off.
Naked Lunch is basically a loose self biography of Burroughs experiences with drug addiction, homosexuality and history with his wife. It's not a necessarily pleasurable or enjoyable watch. Rather, it's more of a look inside the mind of a depraved and twisted man. It's a very well shot, well made movie that pays a lot of attention to detail. The cinematography and use of color is beautiful. It's quite a thought-provoking movie that has many scenes that stay in your mind, that you look back on. It scars the brain, which could be a good or bad thing depending on who you are. Unfortunately, the story was kind of all over the place and it's just too weird, it felt like a bad fever dream. I was kind of ready for the movie to be over once I got midway through. I'd only watch this movie again if I were in the right mindset and mood. It's definitely not a movie for everyone, not for most people. It's for a more niche crowd. But for those willing to take the plunge into the bizarre madness, I respect it.