An aspiring mad scientist, but at the moment an electrician Jeffery Franken watches his fiancée get literally shredded to pieces in a lawnmower accident during her father's birthday. So devastated about it, he becomes house bound, but within that time he comes up with a outrageous plan to bring his loved one back to life. Within two days there is going to be a thunderstorm and to get the finish product done, he needs some body parts and that's where the prostitutes come into the picture and with some help by a super drug that causes a real explosion, he's able to recreate his fiancée from their limbs. But during the experiment things don't turn out like he thought when she runs amuck in the streets.
Gee, this was twisted entertainment, but hey it's a Frank Henenlotter film. What else do you expect!? Similar in vein to his charming, but vile Basket Case films, Henenlotter pulls out a sleazy and silly approach for his trashy version on the Frankenstein legend. When I mean sleazy, boy its sleazy galore
but in a cheesy way, so steer clear for those who are easily offended or not used to this cheesy smuck. What I just enjoy from Henenlotter's seedy films is that he sure does surprise you and his not afraid to use tastelessness and absurd situations to amuse. That's why there's nothing stylish about his films or direction, but he never fails at making his film highly entertaining because of its wackiness and for me that makes it hardly lousy, or dull. I just expect the unexpected when watching a film with Henenlotter name on it and they somehow seem rather refreshing. He just knows when to work in the humour and also getting the film to move so briskly. Along with Larry Cohen, I believe their films are misunderstood and should be enjoyed on there quirkiness (Cohen) and bad taste (Henenlotter). Enough of my ramble on Henenlotter's greatness
back to the film.
"Frankenhooker" has to be one of the better (and demented) horrors of the 90s, but its trashy and low-brow comedy appeal is probably why its not held in high regards. Sure it's outright absurd, with such a sordid nature, but it's highly enterprising with its comically offbeat approach on the mad scientist theme and where else will you get a story like this which uses the Frankenstein theme in this unpleasant manner
no where! It did kind reminded me of "Bride of the Re-animator", though. Anyhow just like any of his films there's whole a lot sharp wit and cheap grotesque effects and makeup. Also some good gore and bizarre creations, similar to those in the Basket case films. We get plenty gratuitous nudity, but really it's the dazzling body explosions where the fun is had. Thrown into the paper thin plot, well really it basically just sets up one sleazy and odd act after another (definitely the drill in head scene)
but who's to complain. But back onto to what I was originally going to put down was that there's some nice touches of social commentary, like some satire on the media and prostitution, but really you just look past all that and enjoy the odd mix on show. The performances were good in a comic book way. James Lorinz nailed down the part as Jeffery Franken and Patty Mullen was picture perfect as the eccentric creation. Other amusing roles was that by Joseph Gonzalez as Zorro the pimp and Louise Lasser as Jeffery's mother. Also look out for a short, but hilarious by a look-alike Rutger Hauer. Or was it him? To finish it off, I got say wow, he sure knows how to create a shock of a ending.
Do yourself a favour and don't hesitate to enjoy yourself in this incredibly offbeat and silly film.
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