Frank Henenlotter
is well known to horror fans as the director and writer of Basket Case
and Frankenhooker, both somewhat gonzo looks at aspects of the horror
genre. In Brain Damage, his third feature (and released after Basket
Case) he continues his love affair with animation and strange creatures and
presents a talking, quipping creation which looks a little like an eel, except
it has eyes and a mouth and a head which looks like a tiny brain. This little
fellah was being kept in a bath by a couple of senior citizens until it escapes
and finds solace in the home of Brian (Rick Hearst), a somewhat hopeless lad
who cannot win at anything. So this creature, called Aylmer, attaches itself to
Brian’s brain stem and feeds him a narcotic substance so that Brian will
continue to supply fresh brains for Aylmer to feed on.
It’s another
crazy film, and whether you enjoy it or not will depend on your penchant for
Henenlotter’s other films ... So if fairly obviously animated monsters are your
thing, and very 80s plotting and acting, and a denouement which doesn’t wholly
make sense ... then you may love this. I found it somewhat hard going, but then
I also wasn’t a great fan of Basket Case and its sequels.
One plus point is
Aylmer’s voice – provided by John Zacherley, one of the USA’s ‘horror hosts’ –
and this works well, the gore effects are also nicely done ... but overall ...
As I say, perhaps something of an acquired taste.
Directed: Frank Henenlotter
Writer: Frank Henenlotter
Arrow DVD released 8 May 2017
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