A power couple in the science world, Elsa (Sarah Polley) and Clive (Adrien Brody) successfully create hybrids and are eager to add human DNA to the mix. Absolutely forbidden to do so by their benefactors, the biochemists proceed down the rabbit/bird/amphibian hole on their own to see where it leads…
For a familiar story about an ethic-bending science experiment gone wrong, Splice keeps its plot as unique as its creature. Unlike Frankenstein, centered on the father-son relationship of an ugly monster and inventor, Splice is a mother-daughter kinship that starts with a specimen much like a naked rabbit and rapidly evolves into the alluring femme “Dren” (Delphine Chanéac.)
What is scary about Vincenzo Natali’s film is not the thrills and visual effects, but the believability of the entire scenario. The current status of real-life biotechnology supports the cutting edge science moving the plot. Natali discloses that the human ear growing on the back of a naked mouse years ago at MIT inspired the film over a decade ago. Furthering Splice’s believability is the psychology evident in the varying relationships within this experimental nuclear family. In many ways, Mary Shelley’s rudimentary stitched together corpse is more mature than the biochemically engineered Dren. Dren's immaturity creates authenticity in the angst between offspring and parent…until you’re continually reminded it is also a creator/experiment situation.
As expected, Polley and Brody give excellent performances. The exceptional acting comes from Chanéac who portrays Dren with the adorability and feist of a bald Tinkerbelle then adds her own exotic French sex appeal that not even Brody can resist. Natali admits his curiosity to see the sex scene play out is what the entire feature is built around. I’m glad Warner Brothers decided to distribute Splice and hopefully this will give Natali the recognition he deserves.
One Ebert thumb up!OUT JUNE 4th!
***image taken from scificool.com
