Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Quiet Muffin This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Yvonne Jodi Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

Monique One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

bowmanblue David Cronenberg found fame making pretty 'out there' films which, due to their content, never really received much mainstream attention, destined to become 'cult classics.' His most successful outing was the remake of 'The Fly,' but that was what most people would agree on was an outright 'horror.' Next he made 'Dead Ringers.' It's a story about a pair of identical twins (both played by Jeremy Irons thanks to some clever editing and camera tricks - no CGI here!) who are both brilliant surgeons and yet succumb to some pretty distasteful vices.It looked like Cronenberg had finally left his 'body horror' roots behind, moved through an outright horror film and was now making high-quality dramas with an A-list cast. And, for the first half of the film, you'd be right.If you've never seen any of Cronenberg's previous films, you may not get that weird feeling of 'normality' at just how ordinary the first half of this film is. We meet the twins. As I mentioned, they're both played excellently by Irons - making each of his characters instantly distinguish by their contrasting personalities. They go about their business of being a little too clever for their own good and it does have a 'regular' feeling about it all that would put it in with most other mainstream dramas.Then comes the second half. I know this is kind of a spoiler, but if you're really not into your 'gross-out' moments which involve some pretty disturbing 'body horror' moments then you're going to have to have a sick bag on standby for the second half of this film. It was like Cronenberg was just lulling us into a false sense of security and teasing us with the opening.Maybe this film is more of a horror than Cronenberg's previous efforts because there are no monsters here and nothing hideous that comes from a drug-fuelled nightmare. Everything nasty here comes from real people and Irons makes you believe that the two brothers are quite capable of acting out their crimes.It's certainly not an easy (or light) watch. It's almost two hours long and you really need to give it the respect it deserves by paying attention all the way through. So, if you're in the mood for something that doesn't involve superheroes flying around New York fighting aliens, then give this one a go (if you can stomach the second half!).

jovana-13676 I have an undying love for the color red, doppelgangers and surgical instruments. And for Jeremy Irons. I've always thought highly of his acting skills. Here he plays not one, but two complex characters. This body horror explores male deepest fears of the Monstrous Feminine or Vagina Dentata. Genevieve Bujold, of course, has a hard time dating him/them. Don't expect things to go back to normal.

jwiley-86292 The more I think about this film, the more fond I am of it. Much like Closet Land, it sounds more like something I'd wish would be made rather than a real film. If you're content to stare at Jeremy Irons' face for two hours, this is for you. The characters of the twins are juicy indeed: Beverly is the woobie you could take home to mother, while Elliott is. . . Patrick Bateman. Dead Ringers kept reminding me of American Psycho, which is a compliment, as I love that film too. From the artificial late-eighties production design to Elliott's haircut, I wouldn't be surprised if this film informed many of the artistic decisions for American Psycho.Irons should have received his Oscar for this. The clear distinctiveness of each twin is downright eerie, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out how they made both of him appear on screen simultaneously. I have to give props to anyone who pulls off effects that look real. One review on this page postulates that Dead Ringers is hard for women to watch because of the mysterious mutilating devices. I can testify that I, at least, wasn't off-put except when one of the twins (you're not sure who is who at that point) mutilates the other. You'll better understand what Cronenberg is going for if you know it's supposed to be a horror movie. There is still definite eroticism throughout, at least in my opinion. Sick depraved things are often erotic. The weak link is the character of Claire, whose delivery I thought was too brusque and bleak. But I am very happy to have discovered this film. It is not for everyone, though.

Scott LeBrun Jeremy Irons plays the dual roles of Beverly / "Bev" and Elliot / "Ellie" Mantle in this unnerving, depressing tale of the incredible bond between two identical twin brothers. They run a fertility clinic, and up to now, they've had some enjoyment with the fact that people can't tell them apart. However, when the more confident Elliot passes on his newest girlfriend, Claire Niveau (Genevieve Bujold), to his weaker, more sensitive sibling Beverly, it leads to the beginning of big trouble for both of them.As is often the case with a David Cronenberg film, here you get something interesting and intellectual. Something also off-putting (to some people, anyway), but fascinating. Despite its slow pace, it really draws you into this offbeat story (based on the book "Twins" by Bari Wood and Jack Geasland, itself inspired by a *true* story!). True enough that it has a somewhat detached, clinical feel to it, but thanks to the masterful acting by Irons, and the appealing work by Bujold, you do get involved with these characters. Irons does a wonderful job of playing two men with differing personalities. This is aided by typically slick movie trickery (split screen, body doubles) that help one actor to convincingly portray twin characters on screen.Cronenberg and his regular collaborators, like editor Ronald Sanders and cinematographer Peter Suschitzky, are like a well-oiled machine; it's cool that he's developed these partnerships over the years. Howard Shore, always a composer who can bring a very grandiose and ominous quality to movie music, does a typically fine job here.Although a number of the horrors here are psychological (and psycho sexual), Cronenberg still has the idea of "body horror" on the brain, and there are some fun gory moments. Those surgical instruments that the unstable Beverly designs for supposed "mutant women" are very amusing in a hideous, twisted way.Not exactly a "feel good movie", but fans of the director will find a fair bit to enjoy here.Future 'Law and Order' actress Jill Hennessy makes her film debut, appearing alongside HER real life twin sister Jacqueline.Eight out of 10.