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Jonathan Lethem is one of my favorite fiction writers, but he also happens to be a formidable critic and essayist. In this close reading of John Carpenter's eponymous 1988 cult classic, Lethem ranges across film and critical theory, art, politics, ideology, and pop culture to weave a fascinating analysis of a work usually dismissed as an endearingly schlocky sci-fi/horror flick. His scene-by-scene (in some cases shot-by-shot) dissection lingers over visual minutiae, throwaway dialogue, and seemingly minor plot points to tease out surprisingly rich and nuanced layers of symbolism and ideological ambiguity beneath the veneer of a B movie (Which happens to star wrestling great "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and contains the longest fight sequence in movie history).
To some extent, the film is simply a vehicle for Lethem to spin off his encyclopedic network of theoretical and cultural references. You get the feeling that he is smart and observant enough to write this way about anything that captures his attention (See also The Ecstasy of Influence: A Plagiarism). But, the fact remains that he chose THIS film, and his abiding fascination with and affection for his subject (he estimates to have watched it in its entirety over a dozen times, and many individual scenes countless times more) is evident. At around 160 pages, I was able to knock it off in a few days on my morning commute. Having finished it, though, I find myself frequently revisiting its little gems of analysis and insight.
To some extent, the film is simply a vehicle for Lethem to spin off his encyclopedic network of theoretical and cultural references. You get the feeling that he is smart and observant enough to write this way about anything that captures his attention (See also The Ecstasy of Influence: A Plagiarism). But, the fact remains that he chose THIS film, and his abiding fascination with and affection for his subject (he estimates to have watched it in its entirety over a dozen times, and many individual scenes countless times more) is evident. At around 160 pages, I was able to knock it off in a few days on my morning commute. Having finished it, though, I find myself frequently revisiting its little gems of analysis and insight.