Altered States was released in 1980
Altered States explores drug induced, altered states of consciousness. Based on a novel by the same name, Altered States was written by Paddy Chayefsky. Chayefsky also wrote the screenplay, but was so upset by director Ken Russell’s adaptation, that he had his name removed from the credits. Regardless, the story is inspired by real life Psychoanalyst and Biophysicist Dr. John C. Lilly, who started isolation tank experiments in the 50s. The movie introduces the world to both actors William Hurt and Drew Barrymore. Hurt plays an obsessive self experimenting “mad-scientist” who combines deprivation tanks and psychoactive drugs in his pursuit to understand human consciousness. Drew has a bit part as one of his daughters.
Music on vinyl
The premise of Altered States is very Darwinian, but I suppose what one sees reflected back when all external senses are muted by an isolation chamber, really depends on one’s underlying belief system in the first place. Dr. Edward Jessup (Hurt) has drug induced hallucinations that take him beyond the exploration of his own consciousness to visions of some DNA encoded memory. The more he self-experiments, the further he reverts to a prehistoric existence. This genetic awakening, also seems to trigger trans-mutagenic physical manifestations, transforming him into altered states of Darwinian conceptions of early humanoid development.
It’s all about being human
The subplot of this film has to do with Jessup’s humanity. His intellectual pursuits, his loves, and family life. His wife and he are scientific colleagues, who drift apart as their life becomes mundane. It’s like a metaphor for an egocentric primitive nature that lies dormant until Edward’s experiments activate it. Dr. Jessop and his wife Emily, re-find one another, in a love conquers all type of battle, against the primal existence that is taking over Edward.
The appeal of Altered States seems to be in the musical score and visual effects that attempt to take the viewer his own hallucinogenic journey. Does it work ? Not without pharmaceuticals…
