THE CELL
US, 2000, 109 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, Dylan Baker, Marianne Jean- Baptiste, Patrick Bauchau, Vincent D' Onofrio, James Gammon, Jake Weber, Peter Sarsgaard.
Directed by Tarsem Singh.
Music video director Tarsim Singh (from India) makes his first feature with an extraordinary visual flair, with lavish production and costume design. It reminds us of The Silence of the Lambs as a social worker (Jennifer Lopez) volunteers to go inside and travel in the mind and psyche of a sadistic serial killer (Vincent D' Onofrio). What she discovers is the psyche of an abused child wanting protection and love and a warped adult masochist who abducts and tortures and kills young women. The film raises all kinds of questions about what is possible in exploring the personality of criminals, in the effect on the counsellors and on the police, and what are the limits of presenting the criminal behaviour on screen, especially with vulnerable women as targets of the violent insanity.
1.The reputation of the film? Visually striking? Police drama? Psychological and futuristic drama?
2.The photography, the beauty of the compositions, the photographer’s eye? The realistic sequences – Bakersfield and the silos, the labs, the streets? The design of the world of fantasies, in Edward’s mind, in Catherine’s mind, in Stargher’s mind, in Peter Novak’s mind? The different designs? The costumes, the décor? Beauty and horror? The musical score?
3.The opening, Catherine in Edward’s mind? Her attempts to reach him, his trust, the sailing – and his turning into the monster? The ending and the resumption of this sequence – and Edward embracing Catherine?
4.Edward’s situation, coma, the development of the techniques of entering into others’ minds? With Lucien Baines, his wife, the concern? The decision to give the process six more months? The criticisms of Catherine – and questioning whether she was succeeding or not in her work?
5.Catherine, her background, her ability to enter into people’s minds? With the doctors, Miriam, Henry West? The process, suspension the costumes? Return to reality, being tested? The confrontation with Lucien Baines? The arrival of Peter Novak, the issue of Stargher and his mind, for the rescuing of Julia Hickson? Catherine’s agreement, going into Stargher’s mind, seeing him as a little boy, the brutality of his father, the cruelty towards the women? The threats to her? Her coming out, Novak and the interrogation? Her going back in, discovering more about the abuse and the effect on Stargher? Peter Novak and his agreeing to go in, the experience with Novak in the mind situation? The discovery of the truth about Julia Hickson? The return? Her finally coming to the silos, keeping the dog, the discussion with Novak? Her future and the return to help Edward?
6.Stargher, mad, seeing him suspended, the hooks? The women drowned? The silos? His luring Julia Hickson, trapping her? The short time for her rescue, the water continually coming in, her struggle for survival? His going into coma? The background of his schizophrenia, abuse? Peter Novak and Catherine discussing the effect of abuse on people – and not necessarily warping them? In his mind, the child, the brutality of his father, the baptism, his drowning, drowning the women? The final confrontation and the sinister look of Catherine, executing him with the sword – but almost like the Madonna, tending him as he died?
7.Peter Novak, investigations, the background of his work with the DA, the failed case? The urgency, going into the mind program? The experience with Catherine? Seeing the design, discovering where Julia Hickson was? Going to the rescue, bashing the glass, her safety? The final discussions with Catherine?
8.The police, the investigations, the various personalities, Teddy Lee in charge, Gordon Ramsey and his working with Peter, the clashes? The final rescue?
9.The doctors, Henry West and his control of the program, Miriam and her help, concern for Catherine? The other doctors and their recommendations that the police try this method?
10.How well did the film combine the police investigation, the serial killer theme, psychological development – with fantasy and beauty?
