Film Details:
Directed and written by David Cronenberg (eXistenz, The Dead Zone, Videodrome, Dead Ringers, Naked Lunch)
Starring
Paul Hampton (Babylon 5: The Gathering, Waxwork II)
Joe Silver (Rabid)
Lynn Lowry (Cat People)
Allan Kolman (Air Force One, Se7en)
Review: by Melissa (e-mail your faithful reviewer)
I wouldn't say that Cronenberg hit the ground running. Perhaps he hit the ground at a decent stroll, with only a minor limp.
Shivers is the first film Cronenberg ever made, and he pretty much learned the art of filmmaking on the fly while he was making it. On the grand scale of things, this film will probably only be of interest to Cronenberg fans and anyone fascinated with 1970's exploitation flicks. Everyone else is likely to find it uneven, indulgent, and tedious. I'm not saying that the film is bad. For a no-budget indie horror flick with a fledgling director, Shivers is actually a lot of fun for people who like its brand of entertainment. I thought it was a riot.
Cronenberg starts of right away with the theme that he continues to explore even today: the concept of biological horror and invasion of the body. In Shivers, a genetically engineered parasite escapes the lab and begins spreading through the population of a Canadian apartment building. Its victims are suddenly turned into hyper-sexual zombies (!), who, through intercourse with anyone they can catch, spread the disease to their neighbors.
It sounds deliciously schlocky, and it is. It's basically Invasion of the Body Snatchers with lots of nookie. However, you must admire the restraint and solemnity that Cronenberg takes to this subject. This film could have easily been a vector for soft-core porn, yet Cronenberg is far more interested in his real star, the parasite. Though he is far from graceful with his storytelling, Cronenberg actually manages to eke out a somewhat creepy tale.
DVD Details:
This is the only Cronenberg DVD with anything of worth on it: a 10-minute interview with Cronenberg himself, talking about making his first major movie. It's a rather fascinating interview, too, though I recommend watching it after the movie rather than before.
Further Information:
Internet Movie Database
