Crash on DVD (1996)

Kiwiboy from London , 17/09/2004

Briefly raising heckles on its release for its controversial depiction of car crashes, this collaboration between writer J. G. Ballard and cult director David Cronenberg surprises by being funnier than its disturbing premise suggests. Bored, promiscuous couple James Ballard (James Spader) and Catherine (Deborah Kara Unger) get drawn into an underground cult of car crash fetishists, lead by the charismatic Vaughan (Elias Koteas) and Helen (a weirdly funny Holly Hunter). Soon the group are admiring each others' scars and getting down and dirty in the back seat of old wrecks, while Vaughan orchestrates 'homages' to James Dean and Jayne Mansfield's car crash deaths. There's a darkly funny scene where Spader helps a heavily scarred leather-clad Patricia Arquette discover a few new openings. But like most films about sexual obsession, it's largely tedious and unrewarding viewing, with chilly performances by the unblinking, bug-eyed cast.

  10 out of 11 people found this review helpful

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simonlogan from Edinburgh [Highly rated reviewer] , 10/04/2005

Yes the film is cold and bleak but this is the whole point - Cronenburg does well to create a world that reflects the droning, monotonous nature of the world that the characters inhabit. Staying very close to the original novel, the film nevertheless losing some of the edge of Ballard's book and is a film that is hard to say you 'enjoy' - however the overall control that Cronenberg exihibits is compelling.

  9 out of 11 people found this review helpful

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Darren Oliver from London , 12/01/2005

I rented this film as I wanted to see what all the fuss was about and after watching it, I don't understand at all.

James Spader plays a marketing executive who, after a horrific car accident, becomes obsessed with the erotic feeling aroused by car accidents. Throughout the film a number of contrived set pieces are played out where various characters use car crashes as sexual stimulants, leading to deadly consequences.

I have long been a fan of David Cronenberg but this film will test the patience of his most vocal supporter. Its indulgent, pointless and banal. The story and plot are non-existent and the actors wooden. Why a quality actress like Holly Hunter ever agreed to do this film is beyod my comprehension and fortunately it didn't damage her career!

  7 out of 9 people found this review helpful

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NickAxford from Sheffield , 02/12/2004

Definitely an interesting film, and more than a little strange, exploring themes of feshitism and masochism. However, disappointment sets in when we look at the director and realise that he's explored the same themes in the past but... better.

The main example is the far superior 'Videodrome', which features James Woods being dragged into an S&M world of which he cannot escape, is somewhat unwilling to leave. Seem familiar? Replace the word Woods with the name Spader and you'd have a description of Crash.

The next problem is the criminally underused Holly Hunter, who just fades away halfway through the film. More exciting characters come to the fore, but she brought Spader into the film, she should have been given a larger role.

Definately intriguing, but somewhat lacking and nowhere near as good as it could have been.

  4 out of 6 people found this review helpful

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Karen931 from Edinburgh [Highly rated reviewer] , 18/08/2008

I watched this much like most i am sure to see what all the fuss was about, and all i found was a kind of empty, soul-less story about people i neither understood nor cared even remotely about! Okay its worth a watch, but dont expect too much from it.............

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A customer from London , 18/08/2008

Light on story with characters that I tried (and failed) to care about.

Overall, I expected better from messers. Cronenberg, Spader etc...

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