A scene from ‘Lisa Frankenstein’
Mary Shelley’s FrankensteinThe plot about a scientist who resurrects a man and is unwilling to take responsibility for his actions is a staple of horror and science fiction films as well as comedies. Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (1974) was a delightful black-and-white tribute to Boris Karloff’s films, complete with bug-eyed Igor and a neighing horse. In the animated film series, hotel TransylvaniaFrankenstein, voiced by Kevin James, was the Uncle Frank of Selena Gomez’s Mavis, and the best friend of Adam Sandler’s Count Drak.
Lisa Frankenstein
Director: Zelda Williams
Cast: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Crest, Carla Gugino
Story: A lonely young girl finds an unconventional friend from a different place and time
Duration: 101 minutes
Lisa FrankensteinWritten by Diablo Cody, and in the same universe jennifer’s bodyAccording to Cody, it looked promising with its black-and-white title sequence. It’s 1989 and an awkward, lonely teenager, Lisa (Kathryn Newton) lives with her father, Dale (Joe Crest), stepmother, Janet, (Carla Gugino) and stepsister, Taffy, (Liza Soberano) after her (Lisa’s) mother was killed by an axe murderer.
Lisa spends a lot of time in cemeteries, particularly the grave of a Victorian-era pianist. The film opens with Lisa and Taffy attending a party, where Taffy gives her tips on how to be cool. At the party, Lisa meets Michael (Henry Eikenberry), the editor of the school paper, on whom she has a huge crush. She also accidentally gets drunk and her lab partner Doug (Bryce Romero) makes advances at her. Disgusted, Lisa flees to the cemetery and wishes she were with the dead pianist.
One should always be careful what one wishes for, because suddenly lightning flashes and the resurrected creature (Cole Sprouse) runs towards Lisa’s house. He is covered in mud, has several body parts missing and smells awfully bad from his tears, but the good thing is that he doesn’t speak and is quite obedient. Lisa hides the creature in her bedroom and the two find a bloody way to get the missing body parts.
Lisa Frankenstein’s style ranges from horror homage to spoof, teen comedy, slasher flick to survivor’s guilt, making it worth watching. I wish it was one kind of movie! Some of the dialogue is heartwarming (“Time is a wound, it takes you further away from the place where you were happy”) and there are some funny moments too.
The cast is totally game and slips into their roles with a fair amount of enjoyment. Sprouse, in another role, is a far cry from his inner-monologue heavy Jughead the riverdaleBy the end the creature enjoys a variety of grunts and groans as it reads Percy Shelley’s ‘O Mary Dear’ in a lovely declamatory voice.
The black and white segments are reminiscent of Karloff and the more recent past Poor things.The aesthetic of the 80s has been recreated with its bright, neon glow. Lisa FrankensteinLike the creature, it is made up of useful parts that don’t quite fit together into a perfect blend.
Lisa Frankenstein is currently streaming on JioCinema
