Allreaders.com

Altered States Movie Review Summary

Actors: William Hurt, Blair Brown, Charles Haig, Drew Barrymore, Bob Balaban

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Altered States


Harvard research scientist Professor Eddie Jessup (Hurt) is experimenting with a water isolation tank, floating nude in complete deprivation of sight, sound, touch, or smell. Using the water tank and psychedelic drugs seems to turn his molecular structure backward in evolutionary time. He is hooked up to monitors to record the vital life signs he experiences while in the tank. Strangely aberrant readings emit from the tank; heightened breathing, pulse, brain activity, etc.
Click here to see the rest of this review...


His wife Emily (Brown) and colleague Mason Parrish (Haig) are concerned about the research and where it is leading Jessup.   He travels to the American Southwest as part of his research and he ingests a hallucinogenic mixture supplied by the local Indian medicine man. He travels outside his own consciousness. He finds when he returns back to the university and uses the isolation tank again he devolves into a primitive state of being where he is now a small ape-man. Brandishing a club, he attacks a guard and runs amok. He wakes up in the ape house at a local zoo with blood around his mouth. Hurt finally devolves into glowing fundamental molecular matter and is only brought back by the tactile embrace of his wife.
The review of this Movie prepared by David Fletcher



Script Analysis of Altered States

Click on a plot link to find similar books!

Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Actual chase scenes or violence 20%Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzle 40%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 40% **Fantasy or Science Fiction?**    -   science fiction story Character operated on/altered?    -   Yes Kind of alteration:    -   Bioformed into another form of life

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   scientist Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White (American)

Setting

Earth setting:    -   20th century (1970's to Present) Takes place on Earth?    -   Yes Desert?    -   Yes Big cities?    -   Yes Misc settings    -   lab Kind of city    -   Dirty, crime-ridden (like NY)

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment Tone of movie    -   spiritual Sex/nudity in movie?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vauge references only    -   kissing    -   seeing nude female butt Kinds of F/X    -   Things that change shape/morph Is this movie based on a    -   book

Movies with storylines, themes & endings like Altered States

Altered States Message Board (click here)
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
2 Ways to Search!
Or



Our Chief Librarian