There is hardly anything more frustrating for hardcore cinephiles than discovering bits and pieces of an extraordinarily good film scattered within confines of mediocre or subpar film. One such experience is provided by The Stuff, 1985 horror comedy written and directed by Larry Cohen.
The plot begins with accidental discovery of a cream-like substance that apparently tastes very good. Some time later the same substance, named “The Stuff”, is marketed as yoghurt-like dessert and becomes absolute hit in US supermarkets and grocery stores. One of few persons to resist its allure is Jason (played by Scott Bloom), young boy who discovers The Stuff to actually be alive and refuses to eat it, unlike his parents and brothers who become addicted and zombie-like automatons under control of mysterious parasitic organism. In the meantime, ice cream companies, concerned about their business being hurt by The Stuff, hire eccentric former FBI agent David “Mo” Rutherford (played by Michael Moriarty) to investigate and possibly sabotage their new rival. With the help of Jason, remorseful PR expert Nicole (played by Andrea Marcovicci) and former junk food tycoon Chocolate Chip Charlie (played by Garrett Morris) Rutherford gradually discovers what is going on and locates main distribution centre of The Stuff in Georgia. Since the facility is heavily guarded and authorities potentially infiltrated by “Stuffies”, Rutherford decides to recruit local right-wing militia led by Colonel Spears (played by Paul Sorvino).
Larry Cohen has built reputation on using medium of low budget exploitation films, mainly horrors, as the medium for exploration of some important social issues. In case of The Stuff Cohen was targetting rampant consumerism as well as America’s love of junk food. This provided opportunity for biting satire which used plot in many ways inspired by classic science fiction film Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Cohen was also in many ways inspired by neo-liberal paradigm of Reagan’s America and the increasing power of large corporation that, motivated by unrestrained greed, cared little or nothing about safety standards or public interests. Cohen had good ideas, but the execution was disappointing. The biggest mistake was in treating The Stuff as some kind of Bug Eyed Monster that must be actually presented as such, which only gave opportunity for audience to see some rather cheesy and unconvincing special effects. Another big flaw is in Cohen’s frenetic pacing that leaves some characters like Nicole undeveloped or tragically underused like Chocolate Chip Charlie. Impression is, to a degree, saved mostly by Michael Moriarty who appears to have an absolute ball playing the quirky and cynical protagonist. Some of the subplots aren’t properly explored and the audience would have to pay extra attention to know what is really going on. There is some humour in the film, but it varies in quality. From today’s perspective, in light of certain recent events, The Stuff has certain disturbingly prophetic quality, especially in the scene where Rutherford meets and talks with obviously corrupt US Food and Drugs Administration official (played by Danny Aiello) who apparently approved The Stuff for consumption without necessary tests. Although thought-provoking at times, this film is mostly annoyingly below its clear potential.
RATING: 4/10 (++)
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