Crash Movie Review 1995

You can always expect surreal kinkiness from Cronenberg and this film, awarded a Special Jury Prize at Cannes for "daring, originality, and audacity," won't prove the exception. It's "auto" erotica taken to the max, with car crashes and bodily injury turned into fetishes. James (Spader) lands in the hospital after an accident, which injured Helen (Hunter), a passenger in the other car. Helen and James' shared experience soon leads to a sexual relationship, which doesn't bother James' wife, Catherine (Unger). Then there's Vaughan (Koteas) and his group, who like to reenact famous auto crashes (like those of James Dean and Jayne Mansfield). Oh yes, there's lots more sex (in various combinations). Based on J.G. Ballard's 1973 cult novel. An R-rated version clocks in at 90 minutes.

Distribution

Criterion Collection, 210 E. 52nd St., 578 Broadway, New York, NY 10022, Phone: (212)212756-8822, Toll-free: 800-446-2001, URL: http://www.criterionco.com, Remarks: Does not sell directly to consumers

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 98 minutes.
Originally from Canadian.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Sexcapades, Motor Vehicle Dept., Marriage

Screenplay

David Cronenberg

Cast

James Spader, Holly Hunter, Elias Koteas, Deborah Kara Unger, Rosanna Arquette, Peter MacNeill

Cinematography

Peter Suschitzsky

Director

David Cronenberg

Music

Howard Shore

Producer

David Cronenberg, Jeremy Thomas, Robert Lantos, Alliance Communications Corporation, Telefilm Canada

Awards

Cannes 1996: Special Jury Prize; Genie 1996: Adapt. Screenplay, Cinematog., Director (Cronenberg), Film Editing.