First: Someone wrote that this is based on a true story about two New York doctors who killed themselves. It isn't. It's based on a very, very good novel dealing in the form of psychological fiction by Gari Wood which was made into a very, very good and thoughtful David Cronenberg film from 1988 or thereabouts. I just love it when someone goes to lengths to make a good movie and then no one ever thinks to show it anywhere, but instead, decides they can make good remake by changing the sex of the characters which literally throws the baby out with the dishwater and leaves you with not much to hang your conundrums on. Quite frankly, this is a disservice to the hard work of the actors in the first film because they don't get to shine which Jeremy Irons and Genevieve Bujold shone with there brilliantly portrayed characterizations. Yep. Jeremy Irons played the twins and Bujold played one of their patients. I only saw this film once. This new rendition with Rachel Weisz pales in comparison and lacks the substance to engage the viewer. Honestly, parts of the original story was very repellant, however, it was necessary to make the directors point and though you couldn't believe what was happening and how awful the denouement, you didn't feel as though you had been cheated as Cronenbeg promised a good telling and he delivered on it. This new telling is not the same story nor does it seem to have the guts to tell a good story no matter how awful the story is and that is why I have to give a nod to Rachel Weisz who always gives a better performance than the material she is given. In fact, she's the only reason to watch any of the films in which she appears. You can always count on her to deliver a good performance. Unfortunately, the makers if this shlock have failed to deliver on their promises to both the audience and Ms. Weisz, who still is a most magnificent actress.
Review of Dead Ringers
