Agree wholeheartedly, Crom. As I witnessed the ultimate horror that was the ending of this movie, I realized I'd completely misread the events leading up to it, owing to my naive belief that this was something other than one more norm-ossifying piece of Hollywood propaganda. They might as well have put a disclaimer at the end saying "Don't mess around with philosophy and drugs and such nonsense, all you need is a wife and a family". This was obviously meant as a "learning experience" for people like me, as I found myself identifying deeply with Eddie Jessup's existential wondering, although I did find his "scientific" motivation a little too prominent and his actual sense of wonderment too downplayed. In hindsight, I realize this is because there was no real sense of wonderment in Eddie other than what I read into him, he was simply meant as an example of a "Faust Freak", as his wife put it, an immature scientist delving into places better left undelved, and finally coming to understand that finding the meaning of human existence has nothing to do with exploration of the psyche.
What sort of judgment is that on the Indians (Hinchis?) portrayed in the movie? "Oh, no, sorry, you've got it all wrong, why don't you give up this shamanistic mumbo-jumbo you've been wasting your time on for the last couple of thousand years (science proves that the ultimate truth is that there is no ultimate truth except love, you see!) and come live the only way all humans are meant to!" This is a revolting kind of cultural imperialism, proclaiming the solemn truth of personal, romantic love as the point of human existence, not leaving any room for debate or reflection on the issue. I found myself searching the dvd-cover for a Disney logo. One has to wonder what it is with this culture that makes it so utterly solipsistic and sure of its own excellence.
Another poster commented that the expression of love between two people is the greatest expression of the interconnectedness of all life. Well, I guess that's a possibility, from a human point of view, but I don't think it's the only one, even if I do sympathize with the idea that all life is somehow part of a greater whole (albeit without actually having experienced this as a "truth" myself). "Altered states" certainly didn't convince me of any such fact.
All the more infuriating that the story does include some truly touching moments, e.g. the despairing monologue of Emily Jessup near the end, as she realizes the possibility that her love for Eddie will remain unrequited. And let's not forget the obvious influence the "banging your fist into the wall until you become human again" scene must have had on the makers of a-ha's "Take on me" music video!
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19 years ago
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tomcat69w
19 years ago
Well;...I saw this in it's first run in 1980,...while 'HIGH' on Mushroom's myself. Perhap's that is the only true way to watch this film to fully appreciate it. I went back to see it at the theater three more times. Once more 'under the influence' and twice fairly straight. And as simple as it is
I believe that True Love was/is meant to be the only Truth that we Human's need. As one poster has said that connection, that spiritual tie that bond's us all. Like the Beatles sang 'All You Need Is Love'. And remember folk's this was made by Ken Russell. The same rogue that gave us Tommy,...the WHO Opera based film. I think it work's on all level's but is most def realized on a 'Shroom' High. I loved it 26 years ago, and recently taped it off Cinemax and have decided to try and find the best DVD version there is out there of this flick. As for Charles Haids performance, I remember alot of Oscar buzz at the time. He wasn't a Hayseed,...merely an arrogant PHD with a 'Tude'. A real gripping movie that had me 'looking at my arms for bulges' while under the influence. Ha! Rock On!
The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get!
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