Crash (1996) Revisited with Classic Cinemas
(dir. David Cronenberg)
By: Tarek Fayoumi
Crash, Cars and Humans still Collide:
It has been thirty years since Crash released in cinemas. It was released with mixed reception, and still maintained its NC-17 rating. Despite all of the controversy, it has developed a loyal fanbase. Director David Cronenberg (The Fly, Dead Ringers) was devoted to making Crash happen. Crash is a personal favorite of mine, and that is because the chemistry contains dazzling cinematics that are out of this world. When it comes to car crashes, victims, and an eerie dynamic of science, Crash is a masterpiece that always stays in focus. That is because Cronenberg creates a landscape that is inevitable of collisions with such mind-blowing aspects.
The Dynamics are Twisted and Brilliant:
The film includes a TV scientist named James Ballard and he is played by James Spader (Bad Influence, True Colors). He ends up in an extreme collision, and in a hospital, but once that happens his world is shifted inevitably. He finds himself in a world where car accidents fuel his mind. He is introduced to Dr. Helen Remington and she is played by Holly Hunter (Broadcast News, The Piano). James begins to fall into the underworld of individuals fascinated by cars, car accidents, and sex. Cronenberg’s world is one where there is a car on every corner with irreparable choices. That is because once a collision happens, new fascinations of cars and sex continue to rise. Regardless, the chemistry creates a landscape that is unstoppable. Nice cars means easy connections, and collisions means every party wants more. On a level of power and pleasure.
Worth the time?
I was fortunate to get to see this at the Nick’s Pix series at Classic Cinemas at the Lake Theatre in Oak Park. The series was hosted by long time Chicago-based film critic Nick Digilio. He is the host of two podcasts, The Nick D Podcast and That Show Hasn’t Been Funny in Years. Digilio also recently published a book titled 40 Years, 40 Films published by Eckhartz Press. Nick brought such insightful facts and a wonderful discussion before and after the screening. I found it quite fascinating how he went into details about the relationship between Francis Ford Coppola and David Cronenberg surrounding the reception of Crash. It was also captivating to learn that there was an R-rated version created exclusively for Blockbuster Video locations that are now out of business. Nick runs discussions once a month at Classic Cinemas at the Lake Theatre in Oak Park. His love for Cronenberg made the event feel more dazzling and spellbinding. For more information on his upcoming events visit his website at the link below.