The Mosley Review: Crimes of the Future

For a long time, the world hasn't had a film that challenges the audience to truly think while staring at provocative and disturbing imagery. Sure you can say the mainstream is to blame and we have some more indie films gaining more popularity, but its the type of films that died off in the mid to late 90's that I haven't seen resurface. The weird and hard to watch sci fi films that were genre bending and feature concepts of possibilities in the realm of human evolution. That is where the director of this film thrives and elevates. David Cronenberg is known as the godfather of body horror for his beautifully disturbing visuals that don't pull away and show the raw nature of violence and also leaves you with thought provoking themes. This film did all that, but sometimes felt a little indulgent at times. The story isn't easy to follow and that was a fun challenge, but sometimes it introduces story beats that don't really go anywhere. It felt like it was trying too hard to be "elevated" that it almost forgot the reason why the film exist. The characters hit the mark on the levels of strange and intriguing, while some feel over exposed.

Viggo Mortensen delivers an excellent and very strained performance as Saul Tenser. I liked that you see the toll and strain growing new organs in his body takes. Vocally its a strong performance and lends well to his strength of delivering his more whispery style of speech. It was interesting to see him uncover the small mystery of the new wave of human evolution and how it would effect his work. Lea Seydoux is without question still one of the best leading ladies in the business and as Caprice, she was so magnetic. You see the joy in her movements around Saul and you feel her sensations once she is control of their "art show". Their chemistry is what keeps you enthralled as they navigate a special request for their next show and her emotional turmoil about doing it. Don McKellar was fun and jovial as Wippet, the Investigator with the National Organ Registry. He introduces the bulk of the exposition and keeps it interesting as the themes of the political and ethical ramifications are ever present in the these "art shows". Kristen Stewart plays his odd and immensely intrigued assistant Timlin. I really liked her soft spoken and quick delivery as she shows her fascination and infatuation with Saul's work. Saul and Caprice bring out the sexual nature of their work, but Timlin represents that innocent curiosity of super fan and pubescent teen.

The score by Howard Shore was dreamlike and brings forth some of the more heartbreaking nature of climax of the film. Visually this film is stunning and the body horror is gloriously shot. It’s handled with mastery and didn’t go for the gratuity. This film will not be for everyone that's for sure. I did like the feel of the early 90's body horror / exploration and the many themes of ethics, sexuality in the beauty of body modification and mutilation. It dares to explore and I liked the many risks it takes. The makeup and prosthetics in this film are truly amazing. In the end, I liked this return to form from legendary Director and Visionary David Cronenberg, but I felt it was trying too hard in some places and needed to scale back a bit. Also, not everyone needs to speak in a softer and whispery voice to get the sometimes convoluted plot across. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!