The Screwfly Solution
The Screwfly Solution is Joe Dante’s second entry in the Masters of Horror series. His last entry was fairly disappointing, as anyone who saw Dante’s Homecoming would agree… not only did it signify the cheapening of the Masters of Horror brand (gone were the cool covers and high gloss product, replaced by individualized marketing of each episode as if it was a stand alone movie) but it was definitely one of the worst episodes in the original series. Dante makes a comeback with The Screwfly Solution, but it is still far short of amazing or must see.
The Screwfly Solution is based on the actual eradication of screwflies in North America… in this project, scientists use the sterile insect technique to drastically reduce a species’ population. The theory is that by releasing sterile males that have been irradiated into a wild population they can reduce the population. Sterile males mate with females who then have no offsrpring… reducing the population over a period of time until the species becomes almost nonexistent. The Screwfly Solution takes this phenomenon and turns it back upon its creators, visually philosophizing about the consequences of such a situation.
The plot is based on a strange series of events, when men who become sexually aroused feel the urge to kill their female partners. Soon the epidemic spreads to all over the world and women must seek places of refuge that are safe from men.
The star power in this film is average. Elliot Gould stand out as the solutions oriented scientist and the only man willing to take steps to prevent his own eventual homicidal sexual urges. Jason Priestley appears but makes no impression in this film. He appears just as vapid in this as he did on Beverly Hills 90210… not that I would ever watch such a thing… seriously. Kerry Norton also makes a powerful impression as Priestley’s embattled wife, who must hide in the wilderness to escape the threat of a random beatdown. The rest of the actors are fairly horrible at the trade of acting and all of them should seek work elsewhere… because no one is going to look at this thing and think, ‘Hey, I want that shitty soldier in my movie.’
The direction in this film is ok. It’s nothing really special. I kind of wonder what Dante could have done with this film with a higher budget and maybe some more time. The end result is of a hastily slapped together could-a-been something movie.
The execution of this film a let down. It’s clear that Dante had a good idea and just didn’t have what it took to seal the deal. I got the feeling that Dante was trying to say something… something of real importance, but he never had the time or the skill to bring the theme of this film to fruition… maybe someone irradiated his balls, because there certainly is a lack of meaningful load in this Masters of Horror episode.
Final Synopsis: It’s an ok Masters of Horror episode… I’m not sure that I would buy it… the post apocalyptic scenes were fantastic, but the movie is far too small scale to keep up the pace. This is worth a rentsky… not much more.
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