Transcendent Independent- Films you haven't watched—yet

By Paul Tsikitas
Collegian Editor
March 22, 2006

This Week’s Band: Naked Lunch
Director: David Cronenberg

When two eccentric minds from different artistic fields meet, the product is usually brilliant. This is definitely the case when William S. Burroughs’ works collided with the mind of David Cronenberg in the strangest film you’ll ever see—Naked Lunch. If you’re familiar with either of these men, you immediately know where this might be going. The film is not just an adaptation of the book of the same name. It’s also somewhat of a biography of Burroughs’ life.

The story follows Bill Lee, a struggling writer-turned-exterminator with a history of drug abuse. His wife develops an addiction to the bug powder he uses to kill roaches. After using the “drug” himself, Lee accidentally shoots his wife and flees the country to “the Interzone,” which is located in Morocco.

While in Morocco, Lee spirals between reality and a bizarre world with talking typewriter bugs (yes, the typewriters come to life as bugs), a world where people may actually be centipedes.

The film challenges viewers to figure out what is real and what is all in Bill Lee’s mind. Cronenberg has a knack for making things uncomfortably realistic. His special effects team needs to be applauded for making the most ridiculously otherworldly creatures without the use of computer graphics. The movie was made in 1991, and the CGI techniques of today would have ruined its overall look and feel.

As far as acting goes, there aren’t any big names, but all the roles are nailed by the veritably unknown actors. Bill Lee is played by Peter Weller, who is best known for playing Robocop. Cronenberg is able to direct an actor and transform him into
the character that Burroughs created.

Naked Lunch is not for everyone. It has many layers to it, and doesn't exactly follow the usual paradigm. It’s a true film buff’s movie that takes on elements other movies try to live up to, but can't. The weird minds of Cronenberg and Burroughs infuse for
a truly cinematic experience.

tsikitp1@lasalle.edu