The Frankenstein Syndrome and the Tale of the Modern Prometheus: A Movie Review

*a screener of this film was provided by MTI Home Video.

Director: Sean Tretta.

Writers: Mary Shelley and Sean Tretta.

The tale of Prometheus is one of epic Greek proportions. Consisting of three dramas, one about the Titan's heroic refusal to submit to Zeus' rule, the other of Zeus' realization to develop maturity and the last, perhaps lost to time, probably about his reconciliation with the rebel god Prometheus. The poet Hesiod was the first to develop this myth and portions of it can be found in Mary Shelley's seminal ghost story, Frankenstein.

In her tale, she reveals how Dr. Frankenstein is playing with fire. He is playing god by giving life to where it ceased to exist, and that ultimately destroys him. The monster he creates is a dodgy figure but by that story’s end, it reveals itself to a god-fearing sailor and demonstrates remorse when the rugged doctor finally dies.

In writer/director Sean Tretta’s The Frankenstein Syndrome, the tale gets a modern retelling. It not only pays a debt to Shelley's novel but also draws on a conundrum that is heated amongst the medical community–stem cell research and where should the product come from?

Gene therapy researcher W. French Anderson, M.D., best describes the situation: “just because you can do something, does that mean you should do it?” What he’s alluding to is the meat of Tretta’s work: just where is the line crossed?

"[In the movie] Gattaca, you are your DNA,” says Anderson, “There is no gene for the human spirit. Unless there is a clear stopping point, we will slide down the slippery slope to Gattaca."

While Anderson is referring to a different science fiction classic, his point is still a poignant note in The Frankenstein Syndrome. Because the question of what remains after one dies and afterwards reanimated is part of this movie’s chilling theme. Part science fiction and part dogma, this film studies the human condition by looking at what makes each individual tick.

The chapter-by-chapter approach, as though one is reading a book, is used in this film and it is a great method to take a look at the individuals responsible for creating a beast.

A good part of the film is spent talking. Elizabeth Barnes (Tiffany Shepis) is interviewed about her involvement in a case of unethical medical practices that her employer is accused of committing. She was invited to become a member of this private research company looking for the philosopher’s stone. Instead of making gold, this team is trying to develop a universal cure to all of man’s health problems. She has reservations on whether or not that will happen, and not everyone in this facility is warming up to her. She tries to reconcile with them, and where it goes from there is more about retribution than anything else.

There is a bit of second guessing going on, but once the line of what is right or wrong is crossed, there is no going back. Barnes brilliantly portrays that fear, and under her porcelain mask, she has to put in more effort to describe the creeping revelation that surrounds this tale.

Most of that is told in an extended flashback. As Barnes becomes the unwilling participant, a co-worker, Victoria Travelle (Patti Tindall) turns into the unfeeling rival. This animosity can be felt between these two characters, but the performance that really shines is that of David (Scott Anthony Leet). At first, he is simply a grunt security guard who's in love with one of the 'volunteers' at the facility. But when she commits suicide and her body is used for further experiments, he finds himself at a crossroads. He becomes the modern day terror that is from Shelley’s works.

He's also the rebel god that everyone else is trying to understand. Leet displays his acting prowess to great effect throughout his transformation, and when he finally grows back his hair, he exudes a greatness that's best recalled by audiences who remember the second Superman movie. He has the brutal force of Non; but during his transformation, he gains a high and mighty attitude that General Zod exudes. He believes that everyone should bow down to him.

A sequel is a must for this movie. As for how it should be developed, the tale has to look to the Greek source for its inspiration rather than borrowing from a novelist.

This title is scheduled for release on DVD, July 5, 2011:



Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA

| | | |

Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis by Email

Posted in: mti home video,the frankenstein syndrome