Crimes of the Future

1970's CRIMES OF THE FUTURE is one of writer/director David Cronenberg's early filmic experiments, to my eyes not quite successful.   I found his previous film, STEREO, a more palatable and intriguing watch.  But there is no denying that mastery is at least in the larval stage here.  Cronenberg has managed to merge the clinical with the artistic throughout much of his career.  Even when a film lacked, there was always at least a method to observe, to pick through.   Keep that in mind as you watch this sixty-three minute film, which does feel somewhat longer.

We see a pasty looking man called Adrian Tripod (Ronald Mlodzik) wandering around what appears to be a college campus.  In occasional voiceover, he relays that a worldwide virus - caused by cosmetics - has eliminated all women of birthing age and also took the life of his mentor, a dermatologist called Anton Rouge.  It is left for males to discover how to procreate, and the ones we observe as Tripod joins different organizations and even a mental health facility (all of which look like they occupy that same college campus) begin to exhibit feminine traits.  One paints his toenails red.  Foot fetishes will figure largely into the plotting, with some scenes reminding one of a particularly rough chiropractic session. 

There's little else to tell, but the remainder of CRIMES OF THE FUTURE wades into some pretty disturbing harbors, mostly implicated.   The "body horror" genesis bubbles, manifested in themes Cronenberg would explore more comprehensively in later features.  As with STEREO, the volume on the soundtrack drops out frequently, save for the words of Tripod and the sounds of marine animals, quite dissonant.   The film feels highly academic, like an unfinished graduate thesis.  One that is fascinating and quite repellent, especially during those last few scenes, where investigative interest will lead to anxiousness and the holding of one's breath.

Thus, CRIMES OF THE FUTURE is best left to the completists.  And the curious, possibly a redundant notion for Cronenberg buffs.

P.S. - Cronenberg has completed a remake of this film with actors such as Viggo Mortensen and Lea Seydoux, set for release this year.