Dr. Caligari (1989)

Dr. Caligari, granddaughter to the same named villain from the silent era horror classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, works in the same asylum directed by her notorious grandfather decades ago and treats sexual and social deviants of all kinds, from a delusional housewife to a cannibalistic serial killer who finds electric shocks highly erotic. Unbeknowest to the current director, though, Dr. Caligari is not only planning to get her grandfather's old position, but is also determined to perform the world's first libido transplants!

You'll have to excuse me for my poor plot summary, since it implies that this movie is more coherent than it actually is. Yes, this is one of those "artsy" movies that chucks away any traditional sense of plot and character in exchange for symbolism and a surreal narrative.

Of course, this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Actually, Dr. Caligari is more than your typical "art movie." It also happens to be something of a comedy based on a silent German horror film, which is sure to make it unique enough to intrigue some people. As far as the connections to The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, there are some references and parallels, the use of German expressionalist sets (but with a modern, art deco update), and a cameo appearance by the original Dr. Caligari's brain. Fans of the original might enjoy making the connections between it and its offbeat "sequel."

The most entertaining aspect of this movie, however, is certainly dialogue, which almost definitely proves that this movie is more of a mockery than a product of surrealist cinema. Not only is most of the dialogue highly quotable, it's always delivered flatly, but with a perfect tone of self-conscious pretentiousness. This is particularly true in the case of our "heroine," Mrs. van Housen, who spouts off lines that sound like a hundred bad poems forced into a grinder.

Of course, where would an "art movie"-or satire of one-be without utterly bizarre scenes? Where can I start? Well, there's the birthday cake with the bloody heart beating inside; the TV that has a conversation with Mrs. van Housen; Dr. Lodger's transformation into a transvestite that lusts after Aunt Bea in "Andy Griffeth"; the make-out scene with the giant tongue sticking out of a mouth surrounded by welts...and so on. Even people who find David Lynch too much to digest may find something to enjoy out of this film, for its zest and sheer originality if nothing else. Unfortunately, as of this writing, there hasn't been a DVD release.


Choice Quotes:

Excitement is the essence of life. When it's over, you're dead."

-Dr. Caligari

"Aunt Bea still gives me the randy pants!"

-Dr. Lodger, after Caligari changes his libido

Cast Connections

Co-writer Jerry Stahl was also the creator of the TV series "ALF!"

Laura Albert (Mrs. Van Housen) did stunts for a number of films, including Hellraiser: Bloodline and Starship Troopers.

Jennifer Balgobin (Ramona Lodger) was Glory in the Tim Thomerson classic Cherry 2000.

John Durbin (Dr. Avon) had a role in another Tim Thomerson classic, Dollman.