MovieChat Forums > Lord of Illusions (1995) Discussion > meaning of this movie

meaning of this movie

posted 21 years ago by l-j-kuipers
13 replies | jump to latest

When i saw the movie for the first time back in 1996 it made an enormous impact on me. I didn't know why that time, but since then i read some books of the director Clive Barker and i must say that his stories and his movies(including Hellraiser) intrigued me for a long time.
Maybe this interest has something to do with encountering the dark side of human nature which is necessarily accompanied by fear. Perhaps it's an attitude which is common in the Western society against the unconscious(i'm aware that this could be farfetched). The reason why i think there's an involvement of the unconsciousness is that the director presents the story in a symbolic way. There are a few scenes which alludes to this statement. But again, this is a bit of wild theorizing.

I'm curious aboout opinions regarding this matter so i would like to see some replies on this subject.

[–] 21 years ago

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[–] l-j-kuipers 20 years ago

your ideas about the movie's meaning or theme.

[–] spankaccount 20 years ago

There wasn't any meaning... It's a B-movie horror flick for teens. Much like Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11.

[–] gothor 20 years ago

I think the theme of the movie is sticky, ooey puss. When you think about it, sticky ooey puss was there since the beginning, all the way up to the end. Clive Barker is a masterful horror writer, whose takes on magic are some of my favorite in the dark fantasy business. And Clive knows what scares people. He can tap deep into the human psyche and wrench out little fetal nightmares, still wriggling in the night's air. Then he gives them a good spanking, then he sends them on their way.

So to answer your question, sticky ooey puss. Gets 'em every time.

Blarg! http://thor.mirtna.org/

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] jaxx-6 20 years ago

Electric_Cowboy

While I appreciate your views I do not necessarily think that the relationship between Nix and Swann was a sexual one so calling it "gay" is a bit of a moot point. I know Barker is gay but had already been reading him and watching him for years when I discovered this. In retrospect I felt 'I should have known' since he seemed quite comfortable with homosexual scenes but I don't think that he pushes his sexuality in any way. I feel he just explores all kinds of relationships be them sexual or otherwise. So, saying "As Clive Barker is the author, it's a gay love story" is a bit insulting to me and perhaps to him as well ... reducing his work down to the basest of human acts.

Saying that Nix and Swann had an unhealthy relationship is correct but saying that it was 'love' and further implying that 'love = sex' is taking a bit far I think. The word 'gay' or 'homosexual' implies a sexual act no matter what way you might want to look at it. When you call a woman a lesbian you are simply describing the fact that she has sex with women.

I don't think Nix and Swann had a sexual relationship so I don't believe that spankaccount's reaction would neccessarily be homophobic. Your pre-knowledge of Barker's 'orientation' may have influenced what you actually 'saw' in this movie. I know I was influenced by Barkers previous work when I saw the baboon brought to the young Dorethea. I immediately shuddered at the thought of her being raped by this animal and I am certain that if I was not familiar with CB that would never have crossed my mind.

I also disagee that the relationship between them was love. Protege and Mentor for sure but love? Swann was simply ambitious and saw Nix as an excellent teacher in my book. Albeit the last three Books of Blood are the only CB books I do not own so I have not read this story and perhaps it is stated in said story that they DID have a sexual and/or love relationship, but that has little to do with the movie and how it pans out.

I think that one of the main themes in this story is about power and how it is used and misused. Another theme would be D'Amour's acceptance of his fate. Though he does not want to he is bound to walk in the darkness ... solving these kinds of cases. It's really a showcase for that character.

Agreed, another main theme could be the destructiveness of unhealthy relationships but I don't think this is confined to Swann and Nix (as you said) nor as important as D'Amour's journey.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Blue_Cadet84 20 years ago

Just because the writer/director is gay doesn't mean that automatically that he would have to deal with gay themes. Isn't that a little patronizing?
But, I do believe that one of the themes is the corruption and miss use of power and the effect of destructive relationships.
~*~*~*~*~Blue Cadet-Do You Connect?~*~*~*~*~

[–] organschizm 20 years ago

It could be taken as a warning agianst blind following, the beggining of the last scene at least.

[–] itstoocool22 19 years ago

Actually I do think the relationship from Nix to Swann was homosexual in nature. But not necessarily reciprocated by Swann. I mean throughout the end, Nix seems upset and even resentful towards Janssen's character for stealing Swann, whom he intended to be his companion in the end. Remember, he wanted the two of them to be alone in the end when the world was over. I think the theme also delved into the fact Nix was afraid of being alone, as he did also make a reference that in the end you only have the grave. I do not think any of this detracts from the movie however, it is just some subtext, and all good movies should have it. Either way it was a decent flick.

[–] housecountrywife 13 years ago

itstoocool22 has it right if there is anything homosexual going on with Swann and Nix. we know Butterfield is intimate with Nix as you can see in the beginning, and in the end when he cuts Swann and tells him "Go ahead, Bleed" there is a strong jealous overtone, whether it's because Nix wanted Swann sexually or simply because Nix favored Swann and his skill over Butterfield . The thing about Nix is he wants control,he knows Swann is coming after him in the beginning to stop him, but Nix thinks he can somehow coerce Swann into his bidding once more (a result of Nix' self-inflated view)

[–] user-24723 11 years ago

Love is not always about sex. Like friendship and family and all that bollocks. I think Nix did love Swann but in a friend kind of way. He wanted to pass on his knowledge to him. But felt Swan betrayed him by giving all his loyalty to Dorathe. I hate these kind of guys actually. Bros before hoes innit. Chicks before dicks. The best relationship is between friends. Lovers come and go.