Crash.Early in David Cronenberg's shocking new film, Crash, James Ballard (James Spader) lies in traction after totaling his car. His wife, Catherine (Deborah Kara Kara (kär`ə), river, c.140 mi (230 km) long, NE European and NW Siberian Russia. It flows N from the N Urals into the Kara Sea, forming part of the traditional border between European and Asian Russia. It is navigable in its lower course. Unger), begins to sexually arouse him while whispering about blood and broken glass. It's a typical moment in this bizarrely sensual sen·su·al adj. 1. Relating to or affecting any of the senses or a sense organ; sensory. 2. Of, relating to, given to, or providing gratification of the physical and especially the sexual appetites. film, based on J.G. Ballard's 1973 novel. And it's already caused a scandal here and abroad. Ballard, his wife, and the only other survivor of Ballard's accident, Dr. Helen Remington (Holly Hunter), entwine themselves with Vaughan (Elias Koteas), a manic man·ic adj. Relating to, affected by, or resembling mania. scientist who restages celebrity car crashes in his spare time. Soon it's musical seat belts: Everyone's either trying to wreck his or her auto or get some action (look for same-sex scenes between Spader and Koteas and between Hunter and Rosanna Arquette). Sometimes the sex here is more than mesmerizing--it's liberating lib·er·ate tr.v. lib·er·at·ed, lib·er·at·ing, lib·er·ates 1. To set free, as from oppression, confinement, or foreign control. 2. Chemistry To release (a gas, for example) from combination. . Arquette is terrific as Vaughan's leg-braced protege pro·té·gé n. One whose welfare, training, or career is promoted by an influential person. [French, from past participle of protéger, to protect, from Old French, from Latin Gabrielle, who denies herself nothing sexually, despite her scarred, physically altered body. On the surface Crash examines the sexual psyche of emotionally detached people. Below the surface it explores the mechanization mechanization Use of machines, either wholly or in part, to replace human or animal labour. Unlike automation, which may not depend at all on a human operator, mechanization requires human participation to provide information or instruction. of human emotion--it's no accident the characters don't look at each other during sex. The film also demonstrates how the banal (cars) and the horrific (car accidents) can come together in a way that's strangely erotic. If you're in the market for a thrilling ride, buckle up and head for Crash. |
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