As a cinephile with decades of film-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that David Cronenberg is a cinematic chameleon who has left an indelible mark on the horror genre and beyond. While his name may be synonymous with gruesome body horror, a closer look at his oeuvre reveals a filmmaker with a deep-seated love for the automobile, as evidenced by his 1979 film “Fast Company.
I’ve long been associated with the horror genre, particularly body horror, for which I hold a significant place in its history. Yet, beyond the chilling and macabre elements often associated with my work, I am more than just a horror director. In 1979, I stepped out of the horror realm to direct “Fast Company,” a sports/action drama that reflected my passion for automobiles, offering a glimpse into a different side of me. This film serves as a testament that there’s much more to David Cronenberg than just fear-inducing cinema.
In a stark contrast to my earlier, gritty and unsettling works like “Rabid” and “Shivers,” this film veered into uncharted territory. Instead of exploring themes centered around sexually transmitted diseases transforming individuals into ravenous zombies, or an adult film actress armed with a blood-sucking spike hidden in her armpit, I chose to delve into the exciting realm of auto racing for this project. The question remains: why such a drastic shift?
Who Is David Cronenberg?
David Cronenberg is a well-known Canadian film director who has been shocking audiences for half a century. While his early films may have been unsettling, it was not until the release of the groundbreaking tech-horror film, Scanners, that he truly gained recognition. This film led to international acclaim for his adaptations of Stephen King’s works, such as The Dead Zone, and his remake of the Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis movie, The Fly, which is considered a classic in horror cinema. Throughout his career, he has created some of the most distinctive films in the genre, gradually moving away from pure horror towards science fiction, action, and a unique brand of drama that is all his own.
One compelling way to rephrase this is: “Cronenberg’s 1996 masterpiece, titled ‘Crash’, showcases one of the finest examples of this concept. It should not be confused with the criticized 2004 Oscar-winner by the same name. In this NC-17 rated film, Cronenberg explores a group of individuals who find both sexual attraction and intellectual fixation in car crashes. An esteemed cast, including James Spader, Holly Hunter, and Rosanna Arquette, delve into these disturbing themes in the unsettling movie. The characters share an intriguing preoccupation with the wreckage of cars – their fascination with crushed metal and shattered glass. It may seem unusual for a horror director like Cronenberg to create such a film, but ‘Fast Company’ offers valuable insights into the themes and symbols.
What Is David Cronenberg’s First Car Movie, Fast Company?
Fast Company magazine focuses on the story of Lonnie ‘LuckyMan’ Johnson, a renowned drag racer who circuits the country under the FastCo banner. Known for his uncanny ability to escape unscathed from even the most severe crashes, he is highly respected in the racing community. However, it’s worth noting that Lonnie is well beyond his peak performance years and notably older than many of his competitors.
In my perspective as a movie reviewer, the film delves into the downfall of the character Lonnie, once a respected racer under FastCo. However, as tensions escalate between him and his employers, Lonnie’s actions become increasingly reckless. He embarks on a path of indiscretions, engaging in casual relationships, making offensive remarks on live television, and displaying a shocking lack of professionalism. His behavior not only alienates his fellow racers and mechanics but also ruffles feathers among FastCo executives.
Fast Company Connects with Cronenberg’s Crash
Fast Company sets the stage for many aspects found in the movie Crash. It’s a film centered around car enthusiasts, where their passion for vehicles extends to their intimate relationships. The movie features car crashes, wounds, and blasts that have an eerie resemblance to the accidents depicted in Crash. When examining these films together with Cronenberg’s body horror filmography, it becomes evident that cars are treated and manipulated similarly to human bodies in his other productions.
David Cronenberg has always been fascinated by the intricacies and malfunctions of biological systems, as well as the intersection between technology and biology – themes brilliantly explored in films like “Crimes of the Future” and “Videodrome”. Just as cars are designed to complement and cater to our physical needs (making them an extension of our biology), Cronenberg portrays these vehicles in a manner that is simultaneously unsettling, alluring, and otherworldly – much like his films depict the human body.
Fast Company is currently available for complimentary viewing across various platforms like YouTube, Fandango Now, Plex, and Tubi. You can access it using the provided link below: [Link to the movie]
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2024-11-01 03:34