The Lawnmower Man

About the Lawnmower Man

The Lawnmower Man is a science-fiction thriller film released in 1992. Inspired by the Stephen King short story of the same name, the movie delves deep into the realms of virtual reality, its powers, and possible implications. The plot revolves around a developmentally disabled groundskeeper, Jobe Smith, who becomes part of a scientist's experiment which transforms him into a genius but also triggers a terrifying power trip.

Making / Production

Directed by Brett Leonard and produced by Gimel Everett and Milton Subotsky, the film is known for its revolutionary special effects, showcasing virtual reality sequences. The production faced various challenges, including a lawsuit by Stephen King over the misuse of his name in the film's marketing, since the plot drastically differed from the original short story.

Actors

• Jeff Fahey plays Jobe Smith, the title character. His transformation from a humble gardener to a menacing force is effectively portrayed, adding a significant depth to his character.
• Pierce Brosnan stars as Dr. Lawrence Angelo, a scientist devoted to his cause. Brosnan brings credibility to the role, making the audience empathize with his moral dilemmas.
• Jenny Wright plays Marnie Burke, Jobe's love interest, providing emotional depth to the narrative.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was one of the earliest to depict virtual reality, a concept that was not familiar to many in 1992.
• The original title was Stephen King's The Lawnmower Man, but due to the legal issues, it was changed to simply 'The Lawnmower Man.'
• The creators of the film released a director’s cut version, adding about 39 minutes to the original runtime.

Awards

Unfortunately, the movie did not receive major awards. However, its importance in the history of virtual reality in entertainment cannot be overstated.

Quotes

• "Virtual reality holds a key to the evolution of the human mind." - Dr. Lawrence Angelo.
• "I am God here!" - Jobe Smith referring to his virtual realm.

Music, Soundtrack

• The original score for the film was composed by Dan Wyman.
• Soundtrack includes the memorable synthesizer-heavy music that defined the vibe of early 90s science fiction films.