Spider (2002)

Réalisateur:

David Cronenberg

Writers:

Patrick McGrath (novel)
Patrick McGrath (written by)

Release Date:

13 septembre 2002 (Portugal)

Genre:

Drame | Mystery | Thriller

Accroche:

The only thing worse than losing your mind... is finding it again.

Plot:

A mentally-disturbed man takes residence in a halfway house. His mind gradually slips back into the realm created by his illness, where he replays a key part of his childhood.

Plot Keywords:

Actress Playing Multiple Roles | Prostitute | Extramarital Affair | Little Boy | Cigarette Smoking

Awards:

12 wins & 16 nominations

Avis des utilisateurs:

A much misunderstood film

Ensemble

Ralph Fiennes	...	Spider
Miranda Richardson	...	Yvonne / Mrs. Cleg
Gabriel Byrne	...	Bill Cleg
Lynn Redgrave	...	Mrs. Wilkinson
John Neville	...	Terrence
Bradley Hall	...	Dennis Cleg as a child
Gary Reineke	...	Freddy
Philip Craig	...	John
Cliff Saunders	...	Bob
Tara Ellis	...	Nora
Sara Stockbridge	...	Gladys
Arthur Whybrow	...	Ernie
Nicola Duffett	...	Barmaid
Jake Nightingale	...	Large Man
Alison Egan	...	Flashing Yvonne

Autre(s) titre(s) :

Spider (Canada: French title)
Spider (France) [fr]

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, brief violence and language.

Durée:

98 min | Spain:94 min (DVD edition)

Pays:

Canada | UK

Langue:

Anglais

Couleur:

Couleur

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Son:

Dolby Digital

Classification:

Brazil:14 | Iceland:12 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Japan:PG-12 | New Zealand:R13 | Norway:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Emplacements De Pelliculage:

Cinespace Film Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Capitol Films

Anecdotes:

Chosen by "Les Cahiers du cinéma" (France) as one of the 10 best pictures of 2002 (#08, with "Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi")

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Shadow on the road just before Spider gets the rope from the construction site.

Guillemet:

Terrence: Clothes maketh the man; and the less there is of the man, the more the need of the clothes.

Connexions De Film:

Featured in "SexTV: Dark Desires: Sexuality in the Horror Film (#5.15)" (2003)

A much misunderstood film

There are always films that people will either see what the director was going for, or simply won't connect with the film. David Cronenberg's Spider is one of those films.

Many comparisons can be made between this film and the Ron Howard film A Beautiful Mind in that they both examine the complexities of mental illness. Whereas Howard took the glamorous Hollywood style approach -- complete with government agents and associated adventures -- Cronenberg continues to prove that less is more when it comes to film. Spider is significantly more effective in that it does not candy coat its subject, rather approaching the scenario with brute realism.

Cronenberg is certainly one of the most under-appreciated and misunderstood directors of our age in terms of popular appeal. His films are not for mass marketing and popcorn sales, but rather are psychologically and sociologically challenging to the viewer. Cronenberg films generally demand a surrender from the audience to an unsettling reality, and Spider is no different. The fractured perception offered by the protagonist as displayed through Cronenberg's eye is truly unique and refreshing.

If you are the type of person who is up for quick, easy entertainment, Spider is not your film. But, if you want to explore a brilliantly crafted submergence into the strange reality of a mentally ill person, Spider will leave you wanting more. Cronenberg has once again proved that there are few directors of his talent and skill. His ability to create a wholly original feel in film incomparable to any of his contemporaries is always welcomed by this viewer.