A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from native American shamans, he explores these altered states of consciousness and finds that memory, time, and perhaps reality itself are states of mind.
Altered States (1980) Movie Review
The sci-fi/horror tale Altered States was unquestionably one of the trippiest films ever produced by a Hollywood studio, and it served as Paddy Chayefsky’s peculiar farewell. Chayefsky wrote his lone novel, Altered States, after a distinguished career in which his melodramas and social satires garnered him three Oscars for Marty (1955), The Hospital (1971), and Network (1976). (1978). Altered States was a far cry from Chayefky’s regular fare and was inspired by the studies of “psychonaut” John C. Lilly, who utilised hallucinogens and sensory-deprivation tanks to investigate the deepest parts of the human mind.
Nevertheless, Chayefsky collaborated with director Arthur Penn to develop the screenplay for his own book. Penn left the film due to disagreements, and Ken Russell, a British maverick known for his boundary-pushing images and childish obsessions, took his place. Russell and Chayefsky did not get along, but this time it was the writer who abandoned the project and used a pseudonym in place of his name on the script. While watching Altered States, it’s possible to understand why Chayefsky distanced himself from the film, which is constantly on the point of self-parody, as well as why the underlying subject was initially so compelling. In Altered States, the main character seeks to define the essential characteristics of the human species.
William Hurt’s character, psychology professor Edward Jessup, spends time in sensory-deprivation chambers and treats these trips as exploratory excursions into the outer reaches of consciousness. Edward continues to be fixated on his studies despite his clumsy efforts to have a “regular” life with a stunning coworker named Emily (Blair Brown). He travels to South America as a result, taking a potent substance that causes mind-expanding hallucinations. Edward combines the medication and the sensory-deprivation tank when he returns to the United States, with shocking effects.
Altered States transforms into a pure fantasy movie midway through its running duration, complete with lavish visual effects. The appearance of paranormal events is a startling change given how the scene is packed with overly verbose conversation and convincing scientific jargon. Therefore, despite the fact that Altered States probably belongs on the same continuum of existential sci-fi as Solaris and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), many critics and spectators have rejected it as a lark with a distinguished lineage (1972). She prefers the mindless anguish we inflict on one other to the pain we would otherwise inflict on ourselves—but I’m not terrified of that solitary pain—which proves Chayefsky’s style, alias be damned.
The bizarre imagery of Edward’s hallucinations, such as bloodied bibles, mutated animals, erupting volcanoes, and nude bodies turning into sand sculptures that vanish when battered by violent winds, could only be created by Russell. Russell’s bizarre visions are given impetus by John Corigliano’s astonishing score, which is his first music composition. It is characterised by avant-garde flourishes, subversive rhythms, and an almost primal drive.
The movie benefits from strong performances as well. William Hurt, a theater-trained actor making his film debut, transforms his super-WASP character into a brilliantly lifelike portrayal of a seeker pursuing the thing he finds most difficult to understand—true human connection. The actors who co-star with Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, and Charles Haid, who play the believer and the sceptic in Edward’s social circle, respectively, provide comedic relief. Blair Brown matches him in terms of knowledge and passion while also adding a depth of sensuality.
Altered States’ most intriguing feature, meanwhile, may be Russell’s masterful storytelling clarity, which he does when he’s not supervising ridiculous hallucination scenes. He creates a quick yet controlled pacing and handles dramatic sequences with composure and taste. One can only speculate as to how Altered States would have turned out if Chayefsky and Russell got along.
