Frankenhooker

I'm sorry I didn't indulge the films of writer/director Frank Henenlotter back in the '80s and '90s, when I was immersed in a plethora of low grade horror.  Might've eaten them up more then I do now.  His films, which include the BASKET CASE series and BRAIN DAMAGE, definitely stand out among this disreputable lot.   Deftly stretching their low budgets and utilizing grimy NYC locations so vividly.  Perhaps the most audacious is 1990's FRANKENHOOKER, a wildly entertaining guilty pleasure that was chic trash enough to earn a Criterion Channel inclusion some years ago.  One that even received an endorsement from Bill Murray. 

Hohokus, New Jersey.  Jeffrey Franken (James Lorinz) is a med school dropout/mad scientist who would rather tinker in the lab than join his fiancee Elizabeth (Patty Mullen) at her father's birthday party.   When she finally drags him out, she meets an untimely end when she gets in the way of the automatic lawnmower Jeffrey designed as a gift.  A dejected Jeffery, who was able to salvage her head and little else, decides he can rebuild her.  But how?  He needs the other body parts.  What about those prostitutes in Times Square?

A plan is hatched - Jeffrey will rent some hookers for an hour and give them crack cocaine.  "Supercrack", actually which he learns can cause living things to explode, including, unfortunately, his guinea pig.  It goes all too well........his creation, cobbled together with lady of the evening parts, will escape and terrorize and/or annoy Manhattanites.  Jeffrey will also have to deal with the ladies' abusive pimp, Zorro (Joseph Gonzalez).  

Sound awful? But of course, but if you recognize primo junk, you will have much to enjoy and even admire in FRANKENHOOKER. Tangibly sleazy and shameless.  Mary Shelley would probably want to slap the director.   The cheesy gore effects are delightfully over the top.  There's enough nudity to satisfy horny frat boys and Clearasil geeks.  The film isn't the least bit scary; it is clear Henenlotter was going for laughs, and there are plenty.  The laugh out loud type.   More than most straight comedies.  Not too many mean spirited gags. 

Henenlotter develops and follows through on his premise far better than many other schlockmeisters.  Right on through to the finale, which is perfect.