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Amazon.co.uk Review
Like many other films by Canadian director David Cronenberg (especially Crash), Dead Ringers presents the cinematic and psychological equivalent of an automobile accident--you dare not look, but you can't turn away. The film marked a directorial breakthrough for Cronenberg, who was able to continue some of the themes explored in his earlier horror films while graduating to a higher, more critically "respectable" level of artistic sophistication. The film is loosely based, amazingly enough, on a true story about twin gynaecologists who routinely traded each others' identities, lives and even lovers. Utilizing innovative split-screen technology (years before computer manipulation made such trickery much easier), the film stars Jeremy Irons in flawless dual roles as the identical brothers Beverly and Elliot Mantle. Their ability to instantly switch identities leads them to a shared relationship with a well-known actress (Genevieve Bujold) and, ultimately, a physical and psychological tailspin that sends them both to the brink of madness and death. The scenario suggests that both men are halves of a whole, and that one cannot exist without the other. But when Beverly pursues a kinky, drug-addicted affair with the actress, his more self-controlled brother is helpless to prevent their mutual decline. In this way Dead Ringers becomes a fascinating and stylistically clinical study of duality, and Cronenberg doesn't shy away from the dark and unpleasant aspects of the story. (One look at the movie's display of bizarre gynaecological instruments and you'll know why women find this film particularly--and unforgettably--disturbing.) The Criterion Collection DVD includes illuminating commentary by Cronenberg, Irons, production designer Carol Spier and others; extensive production information; interviews with the principal cast; and a detailed examination of the film's groundbreaking use of invisible special effects. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com --This text refers to the DVD edition of this video.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Two twin brothers, both renowned gynecologists, descend into madness after becoming romantically involved with the same woman in this disturbing, horrific drama. Jeremy Irons delivers a bravura performance as both Beverly and Elliot Mantle, Toronto-based surgeons who operate an exclusive gynecological clinic and share a reputation as brilliant innovators. They also share lovers, as the more aggressive, confident Elliott seduces women and later secretly allows the shier, more intellectual Beverly to reap the benefits. This arrangement is disturbed when Beverly falls in love with their newest conquest, Claire Niveau (Genevieve Bujold), a famous actress with an unusual gynecological deformity. Beverly's relationship with the hard-living Claire leads to him to turn away from Elliot and begin a dangerous involvement with drugs and alcohol. Elliot senses his brother's rapid decline into addiction and paranoia and attempts to save him, only to start falling victim to the same urges. Director David Cronenberg adapted the loosely fact-based tale to his own creepy purposes, tapping into primal fears regarding the uncanniness of twins and male sexual panic. His notorious gore was used sparingly here, however, with the film's most disturbing moments coming through suggestion, as in the display of a group of terrifying surgical instruments created by Beverly in his madness. Cronenberg's expertise with special effects proves crucial, however, as he and his regular cinematographer Peter Suschitzsky seamlessly combine Irons' two performances in a manner unrivalled by any previous depiction of twins. This visual achievement is more than matched by Irons, who delivers what may be his career performance, delineati...Dead Ringers (UK) ( Alter ego )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
'Dead Ringers' may indeed be David Cronenberg's best film. Jeremy Irons performance is truly extraordinary. As for not being able to tell the difference between the two brothers, I could sense immediately which brother was which by simple body language and how each brother carried himself. Which is a testiment to the subtlties of Iron's acting, that he could make you believe he was two different people at the same time on screen. This belief was also helped by the amazing motion control camera sequences which allowed Irons to "act with himself" in the same frame. The clean perpendicular lines of the twins' appartment was especially chosen to make it easier to cut the film together.
Viewers should be warned beforehand that 'Dead Ringers' is not a horror movie, it's more of a psychological character study. The twin brothers have an unusual gendered relationship. Elliot as the suave unfeeling male who's "no good with the serious ones" and Beverly, with the girl's name, as the the sensitive, caring female. Soon they come to realize that they are one physical entity, forever separated as two physical beings.
In talking about the film Cronenberg has said that men have proven to be much more squeamish about this film than women as lying on the gynecological chair is an experience that many women have gone through. Yet many men have no idea what it's like. Cronenberg was fascinated by these doctors who knew more abaout their patients than their husbands did.
The only drawback about this whole project is that the marvellous soundtrack is not available anywhere!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Typical Cronenberg film giving trademark Cronenberg feeling: original, intellectual, weird and mind-blowing. But soo slow and monotonous most of the time, but that's O.K. The film tells the self-destruction story of brilliant twins who grow up to be successful gynecologists Elliot and Beverly; the former is dominant, extrovert, controlled and ladies man; and the latter, more sensitive, shy and less sociable. The twins share virtually everything, from medical practices to women. But, the real story begins when a famous actress enters into twins life. After her, the equilibrium between the twins starts deteriorating, until both retreating into private disintegration and finally heading to own self-destruction.
I must say that the real treat of the film is Jeremy Irons, who delivers a standout performance in a dual role, succeeding to impersonate twins as substantially different people.
With its strong psychological elements, "Dead Ringers" is a kind of film that you will either love or hate, there is very little middle ground. Ideally suited for mature, patient, intelligent and attentive viewers. Just most Cronenberg films, it deserves a second viewing. The story is not that complicated with full of mysteries need to be untangled but there are lots of subtle details scattered throughout the movie that must be put together to see the whole picture clearer.
Last word about the product: Contrary to the movie, the DVD is just a "bare to bones" disc. Audio options and DVD transfer is poor, pictures are grainy, and of course it lacks any special features. What a shame... (3.8/5.0)
I must say that the real treat of the film is Jeremy Irons, who delivers a standout performance in a dual role, succeeding to impersonate twins as substantially different people.
With its strong psychological elements, "Dead Ringers" is a kind of film that you will either love or hate, there is very little middle ground. Ideally suited for mature, patient, intelligent and attentive viewers. Just most Cronenberg films, it deserves a second viewing. The story is not that complicated with full of mysteries need to be untangled but there are lots of subtle details scattered throughout the movie that must be put together to see the whole picture clearer.
Last word about the product: Contrary to the movie, the DVD is just a "bare to bones" disc. Audio options and DVD transfer is poor, pictures are grainy, and of course it lacks any special features. What a shame... (3.8/5.0)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
If Cronenberg is your cup of tea, then you'll enjoy this, Jeremy Irons is excellent in the dual role of the identical twin gynaecologists, thanks to his performance and some filming tricks, it really seems like he's playing two seperate, if physically identical, characters.
However I feel I have to warn you that the DVD you'll be watching (from the Carlton Silver Collection) is pretty lacklustre compared to what DVDs can be like now (not to mention Blu-Rays). It was produced early in the DVD era (2000 according to this site) and the low quality of this transfer will be more evident if you watch it on a large LCD or Plasma, you'd probably get better quality if you watched it on a Standard Definition TV channel. And the only extra is a trailer for other DVDs in the Carlton Silver Collection.
If you can ignore that, it's worth seeing if you like Cronenberg or Jeremy Irons, but if you want to buy this film on DVD do not bother with this low rent version, there's probably much better ones (there's also a Criterion Collection Edition), even if you have get one that's Region 1.
However I feel I have to warn you that the DVD you'll be watching (from the Carlton Silver Collection) is pretty lacklustre compared to what DVDs can be like now (not to mention Blu-Rays). It was produced early in the DVD era (2000 according to this site) and the low quality of this transfer will be more evident if you watch it on a large LCD or Plasma, you'd probably get better quality if you watched it on a Standard Definition TV channel. And the only extra is a trailer for other DVDs in the Carlton Silver Collection.
If you can ignore that, it's worth seeing if you like Cronenberg or Jeremy Irons, but if you want to buy this film on DVD do not bother with this low rent version, there's probably much better ones (there's also a Criterion Collection Edition), even if you have get one that's Region 1.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Identical till death ensues
Cronenberg is the most surprising and shocking film director I know but he always deals with situations that are out of the ordinary and he pushes them to their extreme end or even... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2008 by Jacques COULARDEAU
Cronenberg's best work
Identical twin brothers Beverly and Elly Mantle are successful gynaecologists in Toronto. Their relationship is intense and very close - perhaps too close. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2007 by Jay
Fascinating
Cronenberg enjoys exposing the kinds of fascination with freakishness to which most people would not admit and in this film he manages to take the story of twin brothers onto a... Read more
Published on 11 July 2003
One Of Jeremy Iron's Finest Performances.
One Of Jeremy Iron's Finest Performances (in my humble opinion and though so very different, it must rate along with that of Claus Von Bulow in Reversal Of Fortune). Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2000
Cronenberg fans will be disappointed by few visceral shocks
Dead Ringers lacks a sustained sense of horror and fascination with the body that is apparent in many other Cronenberg films. Read more
Published on 16 Aug 2000 by M. King
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