Altered States (1980)
Directed by Ken Russell
Written by Paddy Chayefsky

Though I'd seen bits and pieces of this film on cable in the mid-80s, I mainly remember it for its Mad Magazine parody. Floatation-tank imagery has really never been used elsewhere in mainstream film, so Altered States has an iconic stature that exists apart from the quality of the film itself. People know it as the "sensory deprivation movie," but no one seems to remember what the movie is actually about.

What it is about is scientist William Hurt pursuing a rather uncontrolled and scientifically fringe journey into altered states of consciousness, trying to tap into an eternal, collective unconcious that will reveal the link between humans and their genetic antecedents. His method is to take mind-altering drugs and spend hours in a floatation tank.

His experiment ultimately turns him into a rampaging ape-man before he realizes that all he's ever really been searching for is love.

It's a good mainstream vehicle for Ken Russell's Buñuelian kookiness, as there is plenty of justifiable room for him to cram in some psychotronic montage scenes, surely popular with collegiate dopers circa 1980. But as it spirals toward its eminently unsatisyfing conclusion, the film becomes far too conventional. It seems to have aimed at being a cinematic "Revolution 9," but ended up more of a "Roundabout" … long, wild solos, sure, but still pop.

Not helping matters at all is Blair Brown's irritating turn as Hurt's girlfriend … by the time Hurt redeems himself in her loving arms, you kind of wish he'd have slashed her to bits while still in ape form.

This movie seemed to be controversial for its time, and was one of the films that turned William Hurt into a big movie star. Watching it nowadays, it comes off much more as a curio that could almost certainly be remade much better.

But there is still a lot to enjoy about Altered States—many philosophical ideas to ponder, some unique and unforgettable scenes, and Bob Balaban with a full head of hair.

Review by La Fée