WHEN HE HEARD HIS CRY FOR HELP IT WASN’T HUMAN.
Psychopathologist Eddie Jessup (William Hurt) begins to experiment with his mind using drugs from a Mexican tribe and a flotation tank. This sci-fi film was a departure for Ken Russell, a collaboration with Paddy Chayefsky that didn’t end well. The latter based his story on actual research and depicts a scientist losing himself; Hurt is good as a man who finds his inner animal. The longer it goes on the more it turns into a horror movie, with trippy visual effects. Interesting but very uneven, with dialogue and a happy ending that feel unconvincing.
1980-U.S. 102 min. Color. Directed by Ken Russell. Screenplay, Novel: Paddy Chayefsky. Music: John Corigliano. Cast: William Hurt (Edward ”Eddie” Jessup), Blair Brown (Emily Jessup), Bob Balaban (Arthur Rosenberg), Charles Haid, Thaao Penghlis, Dori Brenner… George Gaynes, Drew Barrymore, John Larroquette.
Trivia: Hurt and Barrymore’s feature film debut. Chayefsky took his name off the credits; the script is credited to ”Sidney Aaron”. Arthur Penn was reportedly considered as director.
