[psycho d]

The Hunger (1983). The opening scene of The Hunger is a harbinger of what is to come. For those entranced by the visually rich style, incredibly wicked audio, and viciously sexy composure, then stay tuned because this will be a real treat. But for those drawn to story, plot, or novel adaptation authenticity you are probably going to be wildly disappointed.

As stated, the story itself is hinted at but remains as fleshless as its victims. It is not that it is hard to follow, but it is almost childishly simple. The same old philosophic ideals such as the dreadful fear of death are hinted at, but these notions go no further than that. While the denouement was quite chilling, then end proper almost served as an executive Hollywood demand.

The acting was astounding. Bowie was better than expected, but it was Catherine Deneuve's chilling performance that really put ice in the heart of vampire love. Her character was so emotionally distant yet engaging that questioning her humanity became second nature, yet everything she does was ostensibly human. In other words, she exudes an otherworldly detachment that deifies description. Susan Sarandon is almost a second thought in comparison to Catherine, and this only furthers the inhuman puissance that is the central character's monstrosity.

The direction, camera work and editing all work together to slather up a rich tapestry of Gothic beauty that almost challenges the naysayer's want of a story proper. When the score is not offering up a deliciously cold dish of classical melody, it is grating the ears with a harmony of death, only to be followed by a chillingly engrossing scene whose guilty pleasures are thrown to the wind such that its sumptuous mise en scène can be savored as if just served in the snootiest of aristocratic manors.

In the end, having sat through such a savage ensemble of deeply beautiful and dark imagery, instead of ruining the whole experience with the retardation of thought, instead just sit back and let the remote in your mind replay those magical scenes as if the experience took place in an upscale gallery.
d