This appears to be due to a growing attraction Clive has for Dren and a growing fear Elsa has of her. It is here that the dynamic in the family unit begins to shift and it is Elsa that seems to be keen to distance herself from Dren and Clive that is keen to ‘connect’, reversing their previous attitudes. Fearing the trouble they will get in because of their creation the pair retreat with Dren to a remote cottage where Elsa grew up. At first Elsa begins developing an attachment and names her Dren but Clive is wary of the couple becoming too attached and actually keen to terminate the creature, which he considers to be a mistake (note the slightly intriguing but completely under-developed abortion subtext). Gradually developing from what is little more than a blob with legs to an infant, then a female human-like creature and beyond. This leads to the creation of a strange creature which begins maturing at a rapid rate.
SPLICE MOVIE MOVIE
In classic movie tradition this pair of scientists ‘go too far’ and begin splicing anyway. Unsurprisingly though their bosses are not too keen on this and it is also an activity that would probably land them in jail. They are desperate though, not just to advance medicine but also to begin splicing with human DNA. In Clive and Elsa’s work at N.E.R.D (not the only joke like this, take another look at the name Dren), the pair attempt to splice DNA in order to breed creatures that can provide a crucial substance that will benefit mankind in treating various illnesses. My contented but underwhelmed initial reaction seemed a little under-expressive considering this outpouring of disbelief and shock. Audience reaction actually slightly clouded my initial view of the film when I saw it, as I left the cinema and heard phrases such as “Oh my god, that was so messed up!”, “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen!” and “That film is so sick!!”. All of this is clearly signposted in the internal logic of the film and I was surprised these plot developments seem to have been such a shock to many audiences. Clive does not get pregnant but in what I assume can’t possibly have been intended as a twist, Elsa does following her rape by the transformed male Dren.
SPLICE MOVIE CRACK
This conversation also seems to set up something that is unfortunately never followed through on, the comment that Elsa is happy to have children when they crack male pregnancy.
SPLICE MOVIE FULL
Although the two do not literally reproduce to create Dren the film is full of constant reminders that this is a metaphor for reproduction, including the slightly heavy handed imagery and the foreshadowing conversation the couple have about the possibility of having a family.
Splice is a film that rests on three central characters, Clive (Adrien Brody), Elsa (Sarah Polley) and Dren (Abigail Chu & Delphine Chaneac), Dren being Clive and Elsa’s creation and ‘child’. Although I’m not here to tell you that I think this film is a failure or indeed a bad film, I do feel the almost unanimous positive praise has been a little excessive. There has been a lot said about the latest film from Vincenzo Natali and blogs have been alight with reviews since its premiere at Sundance and the response to the film has been almost overwhelmingly positive.
SPLICE MOVIE FREE
(if you want to avoid spoilers you can read Tracy’s spoiler free review here)*** When I saw the film there was very little marketing out and although I don’t normally worry too much about spoilers I’m glad I saw the film without knowing too much. ***The following review contains heavy spoilers for Splice, revealing key plot points.
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