Dead Ringers

Jeremy Irons has a field day in a dual role as twin gynecologists, who share the same practice, women, and apartment in this twisty thriller from Canadian horror maestro David Cronenberg. Based on Bari Woods' best-selling novel Twins, the story centers on the destructive influence of a new patient named Claire (Genevieve Bujold), who splits the obsessed brothers with a rather unique calling card: a three-chambered ovary. Is blood thicker than water? We're not telling. And, speaking of blood, Cronenberg is uncharacteristically restrained in his depiction of graphic violence (very little); though the threat - in the form of a new line of custom-made gynecological instruments that vaguely look like something out of a medieval torture chamber-is enough to keep viewers (rather uncomfortably) on the edge of their seats. Especially when the two brothers take up pills... As they spiral down the yellow, blue, and red roads to self-destruction, the film verges on high camp as Beverly and Elliot (the two brothers) eat their pills and have their cake too (in the form of handfuls).Two further items: Irons picked up a well-deserved Best Actor award from the L.A. Film Critics Association (who also singled out Bujold's performance and Cronenberg's direction). And technically, the film broaches new heights. In the beginning, standard over-the-shoulder shots are used for the twins. Soon, they're standing together in the same frame. Then, they're moving in the same frame. Eventually, they touch with both faces seen in the same shot. Is Hollywood amazing, or what? (Note: Be warned that a handful of critics have called this a sick film. We don't judge films by their subject matter.) Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review--May 30, 2005--Warner, 115 min., R, $19.95--Making its third appearance on DVD, 1988's Dead Ringers sports a solid transfer along with Dolby Digital 5.1 or stereo sound. DVD extras include an audio commentary by costar Jeremy Irons, a behind-the-scenes featurette (8 min.), interviews with Jeremy Irons (4 min.), director David Cronenberg (7 min.), producer Marc Boyman (3 min.), and screenwriter Norman Snider (4 min.), cast and crew filmographies, and a psychological profiler quiz. Bottom line: a solid extras package for one of Cronenberg's best, this is highly recommended for those who don't already own the Criterion Collection edition.][Blu-ray Review—Nov. 15, 2016—Shout! Factory, 2 discs, 115 min., R, Blu-ray: $34.95—Making its debut on Blu-ray, 1988's Dead Ringers features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack. Extras include two versions of the film (one with director David Cronenberg's preferred aspect ratio of 1.66:1), audio commentaries (one by author William Beard; the other by star Jeremy Irons), interviews with costars Stephen Lack (24 min.) and Heidi von Palleske (19 min.), special effects artist Gordon Smith (19 min.), and cinematographer Peter Suchitzky (13 min.), as well as vintage interviews (17 min.), a vintage behind-the-scenes featurette (7 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: one of Cronenberg's best films shines on Blu-ray.]