A film producer survives a car crash but then finds that he was left aroused by the whole experience. He seeks others who are also turned on by these events.

Back in 1996, the controversy surrounding this film made headlines in the UK, with calls to ban it before its release (the spirit of Mary Whitehouse lives on). The BBFC passed it uncut, but a handful of local councils banned it.

I went to see the film and loved it (I also loved that audience members walked out halfway through, not out of disgust, but seemingly because the film wasn’t disgusting enough).

I loved the film and thought it was one of the best films by one of my favourite directors (David Cronenberg), based on one of the best books by one of my favourite authors (J G Ballard). In fact, Ballard would say he preferred the film to his novel as it explored the topic in more depth.

Cronenberg manages to get the kind of distanced performances from the likes of James Spader, Holly Hunter and Rosanna Arquette whilst making the source material his own but whilst not betraying or sacrificing the original Ballard novel. In fact, two visionaries (Ballardian and Cronenbergesque, two equally valid terms to enter the public consciousness) collide (pun not intended) and the result is just as great as you hoped it would be.

5 out of 5 stars