Details
Movie Description
Based on the novel by Patrick McGrath, David Cronenberg's psychological drama follows Dennis "Spider" Cleg (Ralph Fiennes), a mentally disturbed man who has just been released from an asylum. Upon taking up residence in a seedy London apartment building, the already introverted Spider begins to retreat further into his own thoughts, shutting out the caretaker, Mrs. Wilkinson (Lynn Redgrave), and other eccentric tenants such as the wistful Terrence (John Neville). Within the confines of his mind, the anxious Spider revisits his childhood and literally watches his younger self (Bradley Hall) as he interacts with his doting mother (Miranda Richardson) and distant father (Gabriel Byrne). As his visions of the past continue, tragedy strikes and the dark history of Spider's life is slowly revealed.
A surprisingly subtle outing for Cronenberg, SPIDER carefully avoids the director's grotesque "body horror" aesthetic, common to films such as VIDEODROME and THE FLY. By leaving his signature bag of tricks behind, Cronenberg frees himself to tell one of the most compelling stories of his career. The film is anchored by Fiennes' impressive performance as the mumbling, reclusive, and strangely sympathetic title character. In the hands of a less experienced and dynamic actor, Spider's awkward presence could border on caricature, but Fiennes imbues the self-isolated man with dignity and depth. Aiding Fiennes and Cronenberg in this minimalist masterpiece are McGrath (who has carefully pared down his hallucinatory prose), composer Howard Shore, and cinematographer Peter Suschitzky, along with actors Byrne, Hall, Redgrave, Neville, and, most notably, Richardson in a remarkable triple role.
Film Notes
Theatrical Release: FEBRUARY 28, 2003 (LA/NY)
Industry Reviews
"...Brilliantly realized....SPIDER is as harrowing a portrait of one man's tormented isolation as the commercial cinema has produced..."
New York Times - p.E1 - Stephen Holden
"...Cronenberg seems in total control and certainly gets sterling performances..."
USA Today - p.10E - Mike Clark
"...An artful, carefully regulated explosion of craft led by Miranda Richardson and the that prince of prickly intensity, Ralph Fiennes..."
Entertainment Weekly - p.49-50 - Lisa Schwarzbaum
"...Fiennes is at his best in SPIDER, rising to the challenge of a dark, demanding role..."
Rolling Stone - p.73-4 - Peter Travers
"...The movie is well made and acted....There are considerable artists at work her: Cronenberg, Fiennes and Richardson....The details of the film and the performances are meticulously realized..."
Chicago Sun-Times - p.31 - Roger Ebert
"Bleak, unsettling and very disturbing, this is another reality-bending classic from Canada's finest."
Uncut - Nick Johnstone (02/01/2003)
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