All Fauxn Up

Runtime: 1 hr 30 mins

Starring: Anthony Perkins, Glynis Barber, and Sarah Maur Ward

Director: Gérard Kikoïne

Friends, we have officially moved away from comedy.

So, here we have Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Jack Hyde. By that name alone, Jack, we know we are back to making a connection between Jack the Ripper and Stevenson’s original story. That is all fine and dandy. I guess I can appreciate that we have a kill count here, and that it’s actually kind of super creepy. Aided by the guy who originally brought Norman Bates to fame in Psycho (1960). Anthony Perkins. So I was pleasantly surprised because, I don’t know about you, but after seeing his performance in Psycho, I can never see anyone else in that role.

Before we get to Perkins, let me just jot down some of the notes I took during my watch of this film:

• He is researching cocaine or some cocaine-like substance as an anesthetic for surgery
• A monkey manages to spill something onto the powdery substance and causes what you would think are toxic fumes
• Instead, Dr. Jekyll inhales it and transforms into Jack Hyde
• Transformation? He looks kind of gray, clammy, and sickly
• Also, very creepy
• This is old London with a 1980s flair?
• Oh yeah, there is definitely something very 1989 about this
• Childhood trauma with sexual repression = kill everyone
• Why does this seem so oddly edited and patched together? Is it me? Am I the drama?

The performances were fine. Anthony Perkins is always a pleasure but, outside of Psycho, I am not familiar with his work. Was he typecast? I think I remember him in a 1970s movie with Diana Ross? Am I making shit up again?

*checks*

The answer is no. Mahogany (1975).

Honestly, I preferred his performance as Dr. Henry Jekyll and would love to see what he can do outside the horror genre. So maybe I will have to watch Mahogany. His portrayal of Jack Hyde is way, way too over the top for me. It lacks the nuance he is very capable of, as seen in any of the Psycho films, even the 1980s sequels.

I’m also not sure whether this was meant to capitalize on what remained of the slasher genre from that decade, be psychological, or be a mix of both. It’s not that it’s bad, but the editing seemed strange to me. It also suffers from feeling very 1989. I wanted it to be a period piece, but I was sometimes pulled out of it.

Other aspects that carried over from some of the adaptations: there’s a love triangle here. A plot point established in the 1931 version. This point could have been used more effectively. Instead, à la 80s, it was mostly used to showcase the body parts of various actresses.

However!

While this film didn’t have a Mr. Utterson, it did have a Gabriel Underwood. He’s not my friend, though. He’s an imposter, and I can’t abide his presence. Walking around like he owns the joint.

Oh, there’s a will! This time, Dr. Henry Jekyll bequeathed his toxic fumes, caused by that damn monkey.

6.8/10

Siemelle