Themes: Computer Paranoia, Technology Run Amok, Virtual Reality
Main Cast: Jeff Fahey, Pierce Brosnan, Jenny Wright, Geoffrey Lewis, Mark Bringelson
Release Year: 1992
Country: US/UK
Run Time: 108 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Loosely based on a short story by Stephen King, The Lawnmower Man was the first film to explore virtual reality technology and boasts a dazzling collection of computer-animated sequences. The story concerns the slightly-mad scientist Dr. Lawrence Angelo (Pierce Brosnan), who as part of a secret government agency called Cybertech has been experimenting with something termed "intelligence enhancement." By using drugs and virtual reality technology, Angelo has managed to boost the IQ of experimental chimps. But he also makes them more aggressive and, bit by bit, they go insane. When one of his animal subjects goes on a rampage, Angelo decides to go for a human guinea pig instead -- Jobe Smith (Jeff Fahey), a slightly retarded man who cuts his lawn. Not only do Jobe's intelligence and sex-drive improve thanks to Angelo's regimen, but he also develops extrasensory perception. As Jobe's mental and emotional state keeps increasing, so does his strength. As he gains more power, Jobe becomes angrier and more vindictive until he vows to get even with all the town's people that patronized him and treated him badly. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Jeremy Slate - Father McKeen; Dean Norris - Director; Craig Benton - White Coat; Duane Byrne - Letchworth Buddy; Colleen Coffey - Caroline Angelo; Frank Collison - Night Gate Guard; Mara Duronslet - Young Woman Clerk; Troy Evans - Lt. Goodwin; Randall Fontana - Hotel Waiter; Steffan Gregory Foster - Letchworth; Michael Gregory - Security Chief; Joe Hart - Patrolman Cooley; Craig Hosking - Helicopter Pilot; Doug Hutchison - Security Technician; John Laughlin - Jake Simpson; Rosalee Mayeux - Carla Parkette; Austin O'Brien - Peter Parkette; Denney Pierce - Skinhead Guard; Dale Raoul - Dolly; Roger Rook - Older Guard; Daniel Silver - 1st Boy; Joey Simrin - 2nd Boy; Jonathan Smart - Assistant; Michael Valverde - Day Gate Guard; Ray Lykins - Harold Parkette; Sally Dennison; Patrick Rush; Jim Landis - Ed Walts
Credit
Peter A. McRae - Associate Producer, Masao Takiyama - Associate Producer, Sally Dennison - Casting, Patrick Rush - Casting, Mary Jane Fort - Costume Designer, Brett Leonard - Director, Allan E. Baumgarten - Editor, Steve Lane - Executive Producer, Robert Pringle - Executive Producer, Edward Simons - Executive Producer, Clive Turner - Executive Producer, Dan Wyman - Composer (Music Score), Russell Fager - Musical Direction/Supervision, Alex McDowell - Production Designer, Russell Carpenter - Cinematographer, Gimel Everett - Producer, Frank Ceglia - Special Effects, Magical Media Industries - Special Effects, Dan Bradley - Stunts, Gimel Everett - Screenwriter, Brett Leonard - Screenwriter, Alex Funke - Visual Effects, Stephen King - Short Story Author
