Stephen Lack Movies

Two twin brothers, both renowned gynecologists, descend into madness after becoming romantically involved with the same woman in this disturbing, horrific drama. Jeremy Irons delivers a bravura performance as both Beverly and Elliot Mantle, Toronto-based surgeons who operate an exclusive gynecological clinic and share a reputation as brilliant innovators. They also share lovers, as the more aggressive, confident Elliott seduces women and later secretly allows the shier, more intellectual Beverly to reap the benefits. This arrangement is disturbed when Beverly falls in love with their newest conquest, Claire Niveau (Genevieve Bujold), a famous actress with an unusual gynecological deformity. Beverly's relationship with the hard-living Claire leads to him to turn away from Elliot and begin a dangerous involvement with drugs and alcohol. Elliot senses his brother's rapid decline into addiction and paranoia and attempts to save him, only to start falling victim to the same urges. Director David Cronenberg adapted the loosely fact-based tale to his own creepy purposes, tapping into primal fears regarding the uncanniness of twins and male sexual panic. His notorious gore was used sparingly here, however, with the film's most disturbing moments coming through suggestion, as in the display of a group of terrifying surgical instruments created by Beverly in his madness. Cronenberg's expertise with special effects proves crucial, however, as he and his regular cinematographer Peter Suschitzsky seamlessly combine Irons' two performances in a manner unrivalled by any previous depiction of twins. This visual achievement is more than matched by Irons, who delivers what may be his career performance, delineating the twins' differences and similarities and embodying their collapse in frighteningly believable fashion. The subject matter and chilly tone may be too intense for some viewers, but the brilliant central performance and intellectually provocative approach will prove thoroughly absorbing for others. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

The recipe for this "20th-century cake" seems to have been to grab whatever was in the kitchen, throw it into the pot, thoroughly mix it up -- and then leave. The stories of Greg and Charles, both out looking for work, occasion a series of disconnected sketches that include a mechanic talking to the owner of an ailing car, children expressing their thoughts, an intriguing woman inside a café, and other happenings or nonhappenings. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

This isn't the Fatal Attraction, but instead a 1980 Canadian erotic melodrama. Psychologist Sally Kellerman meets teacher Stephen Lack when both are involved in an automobile accident. As their relationship deepens, Lack coerces Kellerman into a series of bizarre sexual games. Things get out of hand due to Kellerman's ardor and Lack's wanton cruelty. Fatal Attraction was originally titled Head-On, tipping the viewer off as to how the film will both begin and end. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The bohemian scene of Montreal provides the framework for this drama that centers on a university researcher who gets too involved with a particular group that is trying to decide whether they want to live as artists or drug dealers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide