The Webs Cinema Weaves

I recently watched Spider, the 2002 film directed by David Cronenberg and found it to be an excellent use of the media. I make no claims to being able to assess the film industry as a whole, or to declare any proclamation about most influence. True my father was an aspiring film director at heart, and even produced a few amateur short films in his youth. After failing admittance to Film School, he was somewhat bitter though he remained forever passionate about cinema, and my sister studied film to compensate, but did not pursue the field further. So, I will admit to having some background.... a  little.

Spider, demonstrated a keen awareness of the ever important element of Timing, and a masterful trickery in visuals. The film had for me the intense intimacy of Krapp's Last Tape, a film version that I had seen years ago, the original featuring Patrick Magee (who Samuel Beckett specifically wrote the part for in this one-man play). In that script, there is the brilliant use of the recording device. In Spider, the gimmick involves ambiguity/clarity in audio and visual, to powerful effect. Metaphorically, a writing on the mind, if you will...

I was painfully aware of the labor of each passing moment, and the intense focus on small things (obscured from the audience) being given by Dennis Cleg, the mentally unstable protagonist. The pacing quickened in duration of the film, gradually, along with slight of hands that brought home the conflict of the man known as Spider. The pet name given to him by his beloved mother. It was clear to me from the beginning that he adored his mother and detested his father, specifically for how he undermined her true spirit.

It stands out as a critical moment, when his Mom retells a story about a mother spider who's work is done after setting up the nest and laying the eggs. We feel as if his whole personhood is in opposition to this proposed ending. He obsessively threads, fibers and words, tying all things back to his mother, whose philosophy is Reality.

In accord with this adopted philosophy, her poetic being and filial affection diminish quickly as Spider ages... instead weaving her life around a Dad that is absorbed in the physical not the figurative. The key moment illustrated when Mom tries to serve a meal sweetly expressing how much she loves when we-stay-home-together, and Dad rises pushing away the plate with disgust and declares he's had enough of this place.. this place where he is most obviously hardly at... and Mom begins to change her self to meet him half way, eventually decaying all the way into a sad alcoholic demise.

We witness this commencement with old and young Spider spying at the door way to Mom's bedroom. Admiring herself in some new flimsy dress, she turns with a disconcerting giggle, and asks "Do you think Daddy will like it?" ....and  little Spider runs from her, in painful angst as old Spider gawks at the whole of the scene unraveling.

The grown person of Dennis Cleg (Spider) is inserted into the reliving of childhood memory throughout the film, and we have the distinct impression of perspectives being skewed... the words in his little brown notebook eventually take on clarity for the viewer and look like nothing more than gibberish!! The women in his life all begin to look like one woman, Mom (played by one actress Miranda Richardson).

Gas an exceptional allusion in this plot as it evokes the idiom of being gassy---no not like that! but as chatty--- we notice with a cringe that his Mom has all but stopped talking to him!! And he is grieving this loss of words without being able to adequately articulate the essence of the absence that is so tormenting him.

The remaining twist, which I will not divulge any further, to prevent spoiler for those who haven't seen it... Is who is responsible for the Murder? And did it occur in fact or only as a mental snap...?

I've no idea if this film left as much as a residual trace of influence on the film industry, but it did leave a lasting impression on me. I am as compelled on viewing this film for the first time yesterday, as I was years ago impressed on viewing Last Year in Marienbad, another film to be commended for the visual and auditory narration, underscoring the tricks that the mind and memory play on our perception of Reality.

Thanks for reading.