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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 a 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 was feeling pain during the deprogramming. Then, Amy said something about not having her
period for the longest time, hence the low sex drive by the community overall.
Either way, Danny got sold into Homeland which means he was a weak person in the first place along with mental and emotional issues
as evidenced by the philosophy espoused by his little brother after he was prompted by James Woods' character. 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.