Altered States

Back in 1980 this film was quite the big deal. Fast forward to 2007 and it would be easy to wonder what the hell all the fuss was about.......this is because everybody and their cat have ripped off elements of it. I don't wish to dwell on this here....what I do wan't to talk about is two extremely notable debuts...those being Drew Barrymore and William Hurt. Hard to imagine it was only 1980 when they showed up on the big screen for the first time as both seem to have been around since the time of Moses. Drew has a bit part while Hurt carries the lead and he does a mighty damn fine job as the lizard killing goat eating mushroom gobbling Professor Jessup. Some supreme support from Bob Balaban and Charles Haid is an absolute riot. Rick Baker has some unique make up effects in this project and be sure to look for John Larroquette's cameo as an x-ray tech. While Ken Russell seems to be having acid flashbacks throughout the whole thing, his directing style is well suited to bring the Paddy Chayefski novel to life and while slightly dated at times this primal love story is still one damn fine good trip!