Cast
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Jeff Fahey
as Jobe Smith
Pierce Brosnan
as Dr. Lawrence Angelo
Jenny Wright
as Marnie Burke
Mark Bringelson
as Sebastian Timms
Geoffrey Lewis
as Terry McKeen
Jeremy Slate
as Father Francis McKeen
Dean Norris
as The Director
Colleen Coffey
as Caroline Angelo
Troy Evans
as Lieutenant Goodwin
Austin O'Brien
as Peter Parkette
John Laughlin
as Jake Simpson
Stephen Gregory Foster
as Letchworth (as Steffen Gregory Foster)
Rosalee Mayeux
as Carla Parkette
Jim Landis
as Ed Walts
Doug Hutchison
as Security Tech
Crew
Director
- Brett Leonard
Producer
- Gimel Everett
Reviews
John Chard
It Lacks Qualcast Quality.
The Lawnmower Man is directed by Brett Leonard who also co-writes the screenplay with Gimel Everett. It stars Pierce Brosnan, Jeff Fahey, Jenny Wright, Geoffrey Lewis, Jeremy Slate and Dean Norris. Music is by Dan Wyman and cinematography by Russell Carpenter.
Dr. Lawrence Angelo (Brosnan) is a big mover in the science of virtual reality. When he tries his new technology on mentally challenged gardener Jobe Smith (Fahey), it elevates him to a higher intelligence and it’s not long before Jobe acquires scary new powers…
Originally meant to be, and titled as, Stephen King’s Lawnmower Man, the film eventually, after a King lawsuit, ended up bearing very little resemblance to the author’s short story. There’s a couple of small ligaments that link the two, but in the main (not Maine) this Lawnmower Man is its own entity and an obvious attempt to cash in on the then virtual reality zeitgeist.
Lawnmower Man has a cult fan base, of that there is no doubt, where much like Tron from 10 years earlier, the effects work and the capturing of something very much being “in” with the youth of the time, has proved perpetually appealing to nostalgists. But strip away these and you have your basic Frankenstein story for the 90s, a pretty standard story lacking intelligent smarts or deep thematic points of worth. And then of course there is the bizarre fact of having a film decrying the advancement of computer technology, by using computer technology to make the film’s strongest moments! Hee. It’s only adequately performed by the cast, and Leonard’s direction matches his writing, which is mundane when not about the visual effects; effects work that dated very quickly as it happened.
Other cuts and sequels would follow, the former didn’t improve the same basic problems of the theatrical cut, the latter releases proved to be laughably bad. The Lawnmower Man, an interesting movie in the context of its time, and certainly fun enough for those who were there cloaked in a visually inspired warm glow, but it has not been a must see film for anyone else since 1995. 4/10
Nov 4, 2013
Gimly
Ahead of its time. Unfortunately, the technology it uses was not.
Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole.
Jul 17, 2017
Thematic Analysis
This Science Fiction/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The Lawnmower Man presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Brett Leonard brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1992, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Lawnmower Man took approximately 11 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $10.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 108 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 151 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
- The costume department created over 204 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 1992, when this film was released:
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Lawnmower Man shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Re-Animator, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The Lawnmower Man offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Devil's Rejects and The Incredible Hulk explore similar territory, The Lawnmower Man stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: March 5, 1992
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Revenue: $32,100,816
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