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Split Image (1982)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
4/24
4/24:
I wonder if Vernon Howell saw Split Image before deciding what to do for the rest of his life.
If you don't know who that is, then surely you'll recognize him as David Koresh of Waco, Texas, infamy. There
are eerie parallels. Of course, Charles Manson and Jim Jones were there first. The makeup of their cults is
almost similar to what's presented in the film. Yet sex has been missing the entire time. It's the biggest
reason, besides power, why the leaders are interested in having their own cult. Drugs can sometimes play a
role, too. The religion crap is just noise.
I like how the film is heavy on the deprogramming stuff, but the biggest mistake the filmmakers made is not
spending enough time on the brainwashing process. It's not that simple for a person to be converted in a matter
of few days; I'll say it takes a year or longer for him to buy into the program because the messages have to
be pounded through his head over and over.
Another winning feature is the strong cast: Michael O'Keefe of
The Great Santini, Karen Allen, Peter Fonda, James Woods, and Brian
Dennehy. The last two worked together again in an even better film:
Best Seller. If you watch the evolution of Danny Stetson's hair, it's
the result of bad diet. To come think of it, there may have been drugs in the food in order for the
brainwashing to happen which explains why his head felt pain during the deprogramming. Then, Amy said
something about not having her period for the longest time, hence the low sex drive in the community overall.
Either way, Danny got sold into Homeland which means he was a weak person in the first place along with the mental
and emotional issues as evidenced in the philosophy espoused by his little brother after
James Woods' character asked him. Ditto for Amy who's hopeless beyond repair. Given his 60's vibe à la
Easy Rider, Peter Fonda fits the role of a cult leader very well, but he
isn't developed enough to be truly effective.
Once again, James Woods gives the best performance of the show. He almost always dominates every film in an
arrogant "son of a bitch" way. His character has the most interesting job in the world. I bet he tells people
in bars, "What I do for a living is kidnap young adults from cult groups, dry their brains out by using any
means possible, and bring them back to their families. Yeah, it's fascinating, but enough of that
bullshit...now, go get me a drink."
All in all, Split Image is an impressive film that may have foretold the rise of David Koresh and his cult.