The number and range of (highly complimentary) words and phrases that can be applied to this film are a neat way of reflecting its many, many strengths. Some of the main ones are; cinematically creative, thought-provoking, blackly satirical, savagely funny, brutally honest and perceptive, a commentary for our times, the ultimate body-horror, an actor’s showcase – and the list could go on.
The essence of the plot – a mysterious substance, whose exact nature and origin are never explained (surprisingly, a very successful approach) allows a person to ‘clone’ a younger version of themselves and live their better, life but only a week at a time for each one, with the other ‘version’ needing to remain hidden/out of sight. But like all magical spells (which in a way this is), there are strict rules to be followed and the consequences if they are not so followed are bad. Very bad.
The lead character (a stunningly impressive Demi Moore giving the performance of a lifetime) is an ageing fitness guru whose boss (a gloriously parodic Dennis Quaid) decides to fire her and replace her with someone younger. But the younger version does not want to live only a week at a time and so tries to cheat the system by constantly drawing out the ‘essence’ of herself that remains in the older version. The results are grim and the film climaxes is the most gruesome way possible that makes Cronenberg’s body horror style seem half-hearted and eminently tasteful. It almost approaches parody (and, to be honest, does last a little too long) but the criticism of the fetish of youth, of the ‘need’ for women to remain permanently young and beautiful (and, most tellingly, their own toxic self-criticism) is superbly done. This is superbly supported and maintained with the use of vivid cinematic techniques – the fish-eye-lens close up of Moore’s boss at extreme moments, the careful and vivid colour palette used throughout and the careful framing and cutting so that climactic moments have their greatest impact.
This is not for the faint ;of heart (or stomach) but it IS worth seeing. A film for our times.