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Dead Ringers
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Synopsis
Two twin brothers, both renowned gynecologists, descend into madness after becoming romantically involved with the same woman in this disturbing, horrific drama. Jeremy Irons delivers a bravura performance as both Beverly and Elliot Mantle, Toronto-based surgeons who operate an exclusive gynecological clinic and share a reputation as brilliant innovators. They also share lovers, as the more aggressive, confident Elliott seduces women and later secretly allows the shier, more intellectual Beverly to reap the benefits. This arrangement is disturbed when Beverly falls in love with their newest conquest, Claire Niveau (Genevieve Bujold), a famous actress with an unusual gynecological deformity. Beverly's relationship with the hard-living Claire leads to him to turn away from Elliot and begin a dangerous involvement with drugs and alcohol. Elliot senses his brother's rapid decline into addiction and paranoia and attempts to save him, only to start falling victim to the same urges. Director David Cronenberg adapted the loosely fact-based tale to his own creepy purposes, tapping into primal fears regarding the uncanniness of twins and male sexual panic. His notorious gore was used sparingly here, however, with the film's most disturbing moments coming through suggestion, as in the display of a group of terrifying surgical instruments created by Beverly in his madness. Cronenberg's expertise with special effects proves crucial, however, as he and his regular cinematographer Peter Suschitzsky seamlessly combine Irons' two performances in a manner unrivalled by any previous depiction of twins. This visual achievement is more than matched by Irons, who delivers what may be his career performance, delineating the twins' differences and similarities and embodying their collapse in frighteningly believable fashion. The subject matter and chilly tone may be too intense for some viewers, but the brilliant central performance and intellectually provocative approach will prove thoroughly absorbing for others. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

Cast

Geneviève Bujold Claire Niveau
Shirley Douglas Laura
Barbara Gordon Danuta
Jeremy Irons Beverly Mantle
Jeremy Irons Elliot Mantle
Stephen Lack Andrers Wolleck
Heidi von Palleske Cary

Production Crew

James McAteer Art Director
John Board Associate Producer
Bari Wood Book Author
Jack Geasland Book Author
Deirdre Bowen Casting
Peter Suschitzky Cinematographer
David Cronenberg Co-producer
Marc Boyman Co-producer
Howard Shore Composer (Music Score)
Denise Cronenberg Costume Designer
David Cronenberg Director
Ronald Sanders Editor
Steve Weslak Editor
Carol Baum Executive Producer
Sylvio Tabet Executive Producer
Shonagh Jabour Makeup
David Cronenberg Producer
Joe Roth Producer
Marc Boyman Producer
Carol Spier Production Designer
David Cronenberg Screenwriter
Norman Snider Screenwriter
Elinor Rose Galbraith Set Designer
Fred Parris Songwriter
David Evans Sound Editor
David Giammarco Sound Editor
Richard Cadger Sound Editor
Terry Burke Sound Editor
Wayne Griffin Sound Editor
Andy Nelson Sound/Sound Designer
Bryan Day Sound/Sound Designer
Don White Sound/Sound Designer
Gordon J. Smith Special Effects
Alicia Keywan Supervising Art Director
Year: 1988
Runtime: 117
Country: Canada
MPAA Rating: R
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Produced by
Mantle Clinic II

Release
September 23, 1988 (USA)
by 20th Century Fox
Astral Films

Awards
1987 - Best Film - New York Film Critics Circle
1989 - Best Film - Genie (Canadian Film Award)
1989 - Best Picture - Genie Awards