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Philip
Kauffman's take on Jack Finney's seminal sci-fi novel effectively
brings forth the paranoia of the late 1970's, where civil unrest,
Vietnam, and Watergate reigned supreme. On top of being an engrossing
conspiracy thriller in step with the gritty urban tales of the time,
the Invasion of the Body Snatchers is also a genuinely creepy
film which slyly suggests there is something sinister beneath the
surface, and then slowly reveals itself with a number of terrifying
twists and suspenseful sequences, culminating in a gut kicking conclusion.
There is no Spielberg alien friendly whimsy here. There is no salvation.
The plot - as adapted by W.D. Richter - centres on Department of
Health official Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) who - along
with several of his friends (Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, and Veronica
Cartwright) - must contend with an alien organism which has infected
mankind, turning humanity into pale imitations of themselves which
are void of emotion.
With such a premise, it is to no surprise that the Invasion of
the Body Snatchers is a character driven film, which not only
focuses on the emotions of its lead characters, but also takes subtle
pains to engross the viewer with the sights, sounds, and routines
of the San Francisco locale in which the film is set. Thus, as its
inhabits wander the city in a stupor after drinking from the same
well of madness, the films main characters along with the viewer
share the same fear and confusion as their society crumbles around
them.
The acting on hand is very good. Donald Sutherland gives a compelling
lead performance, Jeff Goldblum is at his jittery best in one of
his earlier roles, and the stunt casting of Star Trek legend Leonard
Nimoy works beautifully, while his role as a famous psychologist
cleverly satires the "Me Decade" of the 1970's. Also,
various comparisons to fascism and communism are felt throughout,
as well as a strong religious connotation with its talk of re-birth.
Composer Danny Zeitlin provides an exceptionally eerie, symphonic
score, sufficiently producing the nightmarish atmosphere needed
to make Kauffman's vision take shape, and the films sound department
have done a tremendous job, especially in regards to the terrible
scream which bellows from the mouths of those infected. Visual and
make-up effects are also well handled, as evident in one freak out
scene.
A frightening film which never over steps it bounds, Invasion
of the Body Snatchers works as both sci-fi fantasy and gritty
contemporary tale.
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