HOLLOW MAN
US, 2000, 112 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth Shue, Josh Brolin, Kim Dickens, Greg Grunberg, Joey Slotnik, Mary Randle, William Devane, Rhona Mitra.
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Paul Verhoeven has proved that a Dutch sensibility faced with Hollywood screenplays is not inhibited by American sensibilities: Robocop, Basic Instinct, Showgirls. He goes all the way.
This is a combination of the Dr Frankenstein story with The Invisible Man. The special effects, like those of The Cell, are well worth admiring. Once again, the movie asks what is possible in scientific experimentation (and makes us wince strongly with animal experimentation). Working on a special Pentagon project, brilliant but arrogant scientist, Kevin Bacon, decides to go beyond orders and inject himself with the formula to make him invisible. But he is truly a hollow man, no soul. The experience brings out the dark side of his nature full of jealousy, lust and murderous violence.
Another cautionary science tale.
1. Science-fiction for the turn of the millennium? A new Frankenstein story? The Invisible Man? Science experimentation and the creating of monsters?
2. The Washington’s setting, the city, the Pentagon offices, apartments, streets, laboratories? The musical score?
3. The title, Sebastian Caine, genius, conducting tests, indefatigable, instability and stability? His excitement, communicating the news to Linda? The experiments, the animals invisible? His pride? Lying to the Pentagon officials, and their admiration for his past, yet threatening to dismiss him? The process for the gorilla and visibility? The other animals? Sebastian and his control, self-centredness, prepared for risks?
4. His team, Linda and Matthew, the work together, the past relationship with Linda, her relationship with Matthew? The details of work in the laboratory? Sebastian putting down Matthew? His taunts of Sarah as a vet? Carter and his eagerness? Frank and Janice and the supervision? Each with their skills?
5. The decision for Sebastian, not telling the truth to the Pentagon, the process, the pain, the effect, Sebastian’s reaction, all calm, looking in the mirror, putting the sheet over him to see his shape, the plastic mould, his absent eyes? The light and translucent eyelids? Water and fire enabling the others to see him? The special goggles? His reactions, going into control, his sexual harassment? The group at the hotel, his standing by himself?
6. The audience having seen him watch the girl in the apartment opposite, touching Sarah, Janice, crossing boundaries? Going home, looking at the girl in the flat, going to her apartment? His joke about wonder woman ans the invisible man?
7. The Pentagon, the general, the hearing, his not giving the full information, the threats? Is visiting the house, drowning the general?
8. Lin, Matthew, the decision to communicate to the authorities? News of the death of the general? Phone lines cut?
9. Sebastian as a person, a new Dr Frankenstein, worse, amoral attitudes? The attacks, Janice and her death, in the cupboard? The lewd support from Carter, his death? Killing Frank? The assault on Sarah, breaking her neck? His vindictive words and attitudes?
10. Locking Linda and Matthew in, the fire spray, wounding Matthew? The confrontation with Lin, her getting out, the flamethrower? In the elevator, the drama, climbing the steps, the lift falling in the shaft, Sebastian and his pursuit, falling into the fire?
11. The happy ending?
12. Moralising science tale?
