Brain Damage (1988)

Let's be realistic.

Best movie of this year hands down!

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Brain Damage 1988 Frank Henenlotter9/10"Hi," "Brain Damage" is widely regarded as Henenlotter's best film. Whilst I believe rating films in best to worst order is too transitory to be my focus I must say that this film's reputation is deserved. As this film seems to be considered too low-brow to be art I want to wax lyrical about this superlative piece of late 80's horror and argue that it is in fact high-art. "Brain Damage" is a well-executed allegory of drug addiction (and, more broadly, desire and control) as well as other social issues. Hosting this journey into depravity are Brian and Aylmer, an average handsome young lad with a normal life and a charming, well-spoken worm-like creature with a biology for drug-dealing and an insatiable appetite for human brains. Henenlotter's film depicts the tenderness, the violence, the fun and the heartache of their exploitative relationship. Henenlotter's script weaves us through the chaotic time Brian and Aylmer spend together and their onscreen relationship is deepened by their interactions with characters such as Morris & Martha, Barbara, and Mike. Aylmer's injections are a great distraction from reality but they come at an enormous price; a fact Morris & Martha are testament to: anyone who Aylmer befriends needs him in their life or a hysterical frenzy ensues. The depth Henenlotter reaches to in his imagery is astounding. A room feels like a room, a corridor like a corridor, and a street feels like a street. The colours zing, the waters are deep, the lights thicken and sharpen the air; cracks cobweb throughout the dank settings and thick red blood is sprayed over it all with gay abandon. The absorbing kaleidoscopic trips Brian is medicated with are made of neon rainbows pulsing in a broken city whilst a euphonious score of lush synthesiser drifts in and out with gentle ease. As the electric high peaks Brian's humanity is washed away by these transcendent experiences. The lights and sounds inevitably extinguish as Aylmer's juice burns out and the addicted youngster's prancing slows to a trudge back into the dissonant city. It isn't good enough for Brian but, now that he's hooked, he must do his new master's bidding. Aylmer has a deliberately honeyed voice to give it the sophisticated charm of a conman. No matter what it does one cannot simply dislike it. And that's the point. It demonstrates how easily someone can wriggle their way out of blame and trouble with simple mannerisms; even if, in this case, that someone is a murderer and a manipulator. I will not describe the ending however I do feel that the film draws to a triumphant close after exploring in great detail the stages of addiction. The loss of sense, the loss of others and the loss of the self, the willing deconstruction of the mind, body and soul of an individual. A devastating loss it is for all societies suffering from the decay that drugs can bring. You should also watch "Basket Case" (1982) and "Frankenhooker" (1990). Together with "Brain Damage" they make an inspired trilogy by Frank Henenlotter.

Original and entertaining story, but once again tragicomic realization. Production is so bad that it hurts. The impression is that movie is not made by professionals at all, but by random group of horror fans. Still, as bad as it is, I must acknowledge its originality and strong drug addiction message. I'm not sure if whole movie is intentionally made as drug addiction metaphor, but it's there.5,5/10For me, the best scene in the movie is probably the most bizarre scene of "oral sex" in history of cinematography. You can find it on YouTube.

I found the DVD of "Brain Damage" in a cheap-DVD-chest in a tech store and of course i've immediately bought it, at the time the only title in mind by Frank Henenlotter was "Basket case".Well, i must admit that was a great surprise, the story, the cheap props, the psychedelic lights, the '80 visual effects (the first "lsd-trip" of Brian with the room filled with water is great), everything works well in a funny and splatter context. There are also some genial scenes like the intro part with the elderly couple, the one with the blonde girl in the Hell club, the scene with Duane Bradley cameo and, of course, the ending scene. In conclusion, a must-see milestone in the '80 splatter/horror comedy genre!

Only a genius mind like Frank Henenlotter's: The Basket Case Trilogy (1982-1990-1992), Frankenhooker (1990), Bad Biology (2008) can come up with this. I have seen all of his films. There is not a director to touch him in his style of horror. The only problem is why he hasn't made any films during 1993-2007. THAT'S 14 YEARS !!! He has really denied us and let us down for this.If he had needed money for his films, I would have given him from my own piggy bank!!! Please if there is a GOD in this world give me 1000 films of Henenlotter's to watch before I die. I would really appreciate it.This is very, very sad not for him but for horror addicts like me wasting away. The best moments of my life were the horror films I enjoyed as a child during the late middle 80's and 90's. The horror film industry went to SH*T after '95.The directors now are an absolute joke with no imagination whatsoever. It was really good to watch Bad Biology (2008) after 15 years !!!Plot of film: a parasite named Aylmer (of ancient origin - probably deep in Africa) escapes from his elderly captors and finds a new host - a young man called Brian (Rick Hearst). It injects him with a secretion that its body produces via a proboscis pushed through the back of the neck and into the brain, while he was sleeping.He experiences strange hallucinations due to the secretion and cannot explain why. Later he discovers the talking parasite in the bathroom. Aylmer is very friendly towards Brian and they soon become the best of friends.... till Brian discovers the source of Aylmer's food. Don't want to tell you any more - it might spoil it for you, if you haven't seen the film yet.Special effects within the budget are brilliant. This film is of a CULT STATUS so special-effects wise this film is legendary. Gabriel Bartalos is responsible for the excellent creature Aylmer. John Zacherle plays Aylmer's remarkable voice which is superbly done. This guy has gifted voice - no doubt about that!Henenlotter's direction is superb throughout the horrifying climax of the film. The scene at the very end of the film will send you running from your room screaming!!!So Mr. Hennenlotter if you need a protégé or someone to carry on your work your legacy I AM THAT MAN. Email me at [email protected]. Can't wait to make Brain Damage 2 - Aylmer's BACK!!!Expecting to hear from you sir.