150 Words About . . .THE FLY (1986)
By James Newman
It’s a classic ‘80s horror flick full of blood n’ slime and all sorts of nastiness. It’s also a tragic love story, an allegory about slowly losing a loved one to chronic illness.
Jeff Goldblum plays quirky scientist Seth Brundle, who’s invented a way to instantly teleport stuff from one place to another. He can’t wait to show his invention to his new crush (played by Goldblum’s real-life-wife-at-the-time Geena Davis), but prior attempts to send organic matter through the telepods turned the test subject inside-out.
One night, after the lovers have an argument, Brundle acts as his own guinea pig…but fails to notice a housefly has entered the pod with him. As a result, his body starts to change, and he soon realizes he has become one with the insect at the genetic level. Yikes!
David Cronenberg’s remake (produced by Mel Brooks?!) ranks among my favorite films of all time.
