Total Recall

Movie Poster. Source: IMDb

Total Recall Film Review
By: Lianne A. Marceau, Nicholas Macfarlane, Ryan Macdonald, and Félix Ménard-Lauriault

General Info:

Title of the film: Total Recall
Year: 1990
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Screenwriter: Ronald Shusett
Lead actors: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, and Michael Ironside
Running time: 1h 53mins (113 mins)
(IMDb)

Trailer:

Source: TheAlpacino921, YouTube.com

A General Review of the Film:

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

A short summary:
Total Recall takes place in 2084 and follows the story of Douglas Quaid, an ordinary man who is bored with his life. On his way to work, he hears about a company called Rekall where people can go and get fake memories. When Quaid goes there, he asks for memories of a trip to Mars due to a recurring dream he has of being there with a mysterious woman. Rekall offers him a trip to Mars where he is a secret agent who ends up saving the world and winning over the heart of the woman of his dreams. However, it is soon revealed that Quaid's memories were erased by the “Agency” and his whole life has been a lie. Needing to find out the truth and being chased by people who are trying to kill him, he escapes to Mars to try and find out the truth.

Film techniques used in the film:
Throughout the film, the creators used many film techniques to do the storytelling. Here are five techniques that are analyzed in detail through specific scenes.

Editing:

• In the scene where Quaid is watching the video message from Hauser in the abandoned factory, the editors use the technique of cross-cutting between Quaid, and Richter and his team who are tracking Quaid. In doing so, the creators add tension to the scene as the audience is made aware of how Richter was getting closer to finding Quaid. Had the creators not used the cross-cutting technique, they would have been unaware of how close Richter was to finding Quaid and the scene would not have been nearly as tense as it ended up being.
• In the scene where Kuato and Quaid are accessing and viewing Quaid's blocked memories, the editors use long takes to show his memories. This slows down the pacing of the scene compared to other scenes which are filled with fast-paced action. This contrast adds to the dream-like feeling to the scene, as the scene feels mysterious and more relaxed with the slow pace. This helps convey to the audience that what is being shown in part of a dream/memory sequence.

Sound:

• At the end of the scene where Quaid kills all of his attackers, including his co-worker, non-diegetic music is played. The music used is a sorrowful sounding instrumental. There is also a faint chord which gives the scene tension. The sound allows the audience to understand how Quaid is feeling in the scene. With the music’s sorrowful notes, the audience can feel Quaid's regret and disbelief that he had to kill those people. The faint chord under the sorrowful music adds tension to the scene and allows the audience to understand that another important scene is soon to come.
• In the scene at the abandoned factory where Quaid is testing out the contents of the briefcase, the creators use a diegetic buzzing/electronic sounds when Quaid is using the technology. This diegetic sound helps the audience understand that some type of futuristic technology is being used. This also helps further convince the audience that the film takes place in a futuristic time period.

Lighting:

• In the scene where Richter is called into Cohaagen’s office for the first time, red- tinted lighting is used to give the scene a sinister tone. During their argument, the red lighting is reflected on Richter and Cohaagen’s faces, reflecting the serious and angry mood of the argument. The red lighting is emphasized as it is contrasted by non-tinted lighting on the other side of their faces.
• In the scene where Quaid leaves the bathroom after washing his hands and he is being shot at, the creators uses low-key lighting to add tension to the scene. The low-key lighting adds tension to the scene as the audience is unable to tell who is shooting at Quaid. However, when Quaid turns on the lights, and high-key lighting is used in the scene, the shooter is revealed to be his wife, Lori. By playing with the lighting, the creators give the scene an air of mystery and are able to shock the audience with the reveal of information that Lori is trying to kill Quaid.

Props:

• A significant prop used is the memory-altering machine. This is a significant prop as it is a part of the central plot line. It is this machine that allows the characters to erase or alter memories. The memory-altering machine has a futuristic aesthetic to it as the audience can see all of the wiring which looks to be coiled around the headrest with blinking lights. This futuristic aesthetic helps to situate the characters in the film’s futuristic setting.
• Another prop used is the hologram device. This prop is important as it is used in the fight scene at the end of the film where Quaid and Melina are trying to get to the reactor. This prop allows tension to build in the scene as the audience is unsure if what they are seeing is the real characters or a hologram of them. 
  

Characterization:

• Richter is an aggressive and possessive character. One scene where he shows both his aggressive and possessive nature is the scene where he checks to see if Lori is okay after her fight with Quaid. When seeing another guy checking on Lori’s wellbeing, Richter shows his aggressive nature as he knees the guy away from her instead of simply telling him to move away. Then, he shows his possessive side as he says, “Don’t touch her.” Furthermore, his possessive nature is seen later in the scene with the domineering kiss he had with Lori and orders her to pack her bag. Also, his single-minded determination to kill Quaid further show his aggressiveness and possessiveness as he wants to kill Quaid to prevent his wife from returning to him, and later to avenge his wife’s death.
• Quaid is a confused, curious and violent character. Quaid’s confusion is shown throughout the film as he is continually asking questions about what he should be doing and what had happened to him before the memory wipe. He is also portrayed as a curious character as he has a burning desire to understand his situation and to find out what the truth is. Finally, he is a violent character as he is constantly getting into fights with other characters, and he almost always ends up killing his opponents rather than simply incapacitating them.

A serious looking Quaid. Source: SciFiMovieZone.com

Universal themes/issues/questions raised by the film:
1) A question raised by the film is: can we trust our own memories? The film raises this question as the audience is constantly questioning what is truly happening and what is a lie, the ending in particular. It shows the audience how reality can change depending on how we perceive that reality. Therefore, it leads us to wonder if we can trust our memories to be the absolute truth or maybe just a possible truth.

Cohaagen reveals the truth. Source: SciFiMoviesZone.com

2) Another question raised by the film is: do our memories alter who we are? The film raises this question as one of the plot twists reveals that Hausier volunteered to have his memories erased and was actually on Cohaagen's side. However, when his memories are altered and he becomes Quaid, he becomes and completely different person.

3) The issue of the mistreatment of minority groups is raised by the film. The creators use the mutants as a metaphor for the mistreatment of minority groups. In the film, the mutants are the outcasts of society and do not have a lot of power within their society. Cohaagen takes advantage of their vulnerability by making them pay for air and shutting off the air if he wants to punish them. This mirrors the economic policies that take advantage of minority groups that lack social power.

Word count: 1299 words

Would We Recommend This Film?

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Strength:
The strength of this film was its plot. The plot of the film was very interesting. Throughout the film, the director kept the audience guessing if what they believed to be real was what was actually happening. For example, the scene where the doctor tries to convince Quaid that what he is seeing is a dream keeps the audience questioning what is actually happening. The argument is particularly persuasive as the doctor uses the same term, “schizoid embolism”, that the workers at Rekall also used. This makes the audience begin to question whether or not the doctor could possibly be telling the truth and the audience starts to wonder if the story might be being told by an unreliable narrator. Then, the audience's perspective of everything is shaken up once again as they learn how Hauser willing had his memories erased in order to find the Resistance. This plot twist it makes it even harder to figure out what is true and what is a lie.


Weaknesses:
One of the weaknesses of the film was the cheesy dialogue. A scene that had a lot of cheesy dialogue when Quaid was watching the video message left for him by Hauser. One of the lines that was particularly cheesy was when Hauser said, “get ready for the big surprise”. This line can cause some of the viewers to roll their eyes as it was stating the obvious and would not be something that would be said naturally in a conversation. Another cheesy line in the movie is when Hauser says, “and be careful. It’s my head too.” Some audience members could be annoyed by this as it is a ridiculous thing to say. Furthermore, the actor said it in a way that showed he was trying to make a joke but fell short. The silly dialogue is a weakness as it can take the audience out of the moment and it breaks the tension that the creators were trying to create.

Another weakness of this film for viewers today is the special effects. Though the special effects were considered good at the time that the film released, we felt that they did not age well. The effects used in the film are bad as what is seen is evidently fake. An example of this is the special effects used on people’s faces when they are exposed to Mars’ atmosphere. The special effects makes the characters’ faces look waxy and completely unrealistic. This distracts from the plot of the film, making it less enjoyable. Like the cheesy dialogue, the special effects take away from the story that they creators are trying to tell and prevents the audience from fully immersing themselves in the world of the film.

Overall:

Source: wiffles/diablito666.tumblr.com

This film would be recommended to people who enjoy science fiction as the film is mostly set on Mars and deals with futuristic technology. This film would be recommended to people who enjoy spy films as well, as a lot of the film deals with double agents and not knowing who you can trust which are common in spy films. Also, we would recommend this film to people who enjoy action films since there are many action sequences throughout the film for them to enjoy. However, this film would not be recommended to people who enjoy serious films or cutting edge special effects as the film can be corny at times due to its cheesy dialogue and the special effects have not aged well.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✯✯

Connections to Course Concepts:

Quaid interrogating Dr. Edgemar. Source: SciFiMovieZone.com

1) One of the course concepts that is connected to Total Recall is the concept of metaphysics. Metaphysics deals with the nature of existence and reality. This film deals with metaphysics as the film constantly has the audience questions if what they are seeing is real or part of a dream. One scene that deals with this is the scene where Dr. Edgemar shows up at Quaid’s hotel room. In the scene, Dr. Edgemar claims that he is from Rekall and that his goal is to get him to realize that he is in a dream. He claims that everything from after he went to Rekall is a dream that he is making up. This scene deals with metaphysics as Quaid and the audience begin to question what exactly reality is. Is the reality of the situation that Quaid’s memories were wiped, and in those memories is an important secret that people either want to know or destroy? Or is the reality of the situation that these are fake memories that his mind is creating based off of the scenario created by Rekall? Did he actually wake up from the dream Rekall put him under or is he still in the dream? This question is continued in the last scene of the film were Quaid and Melina are at the top of the cliff. Melina remarks that “It’s like a dream.” and Quaid responds, “I just had a terrible thought… What if this is a dream?” This is connected to metaphysics as it again questions what reality is. Audiences question what reality is since the events of the film happened just as the sales representative at Rekall said they would. Quaid was a secret agent or sorts who went to Mars, fell in love with a beautiful girl, and saved the world.

2) Another course concept that is connected to Total Recall is the concept of objectification. One scene that deals with this concept is the scene where Melina and Quaid are strapped into the memory altering machines. Cohaagen objectifies Melina since he is erasing her memories and molding her into who he wants her to be. In the scene, he says to Quaid, “You like Melina, right? Well, you’ll get to f**k her every night.” This quote objectifies Melina since Cohaagen is treating her as if she is an object that he can use to suit his needs. In doing so, he completely neglects her agency and revokes her personhood. He continues to objectify her as he states, “We’re going to fix you.” Cohaagen is objectifying her in this quote since by implying that he is going to “fix” her, he is comparing her to an object like a computer. Like a computer, he can simply readjust her “programming” and create the version of her that he wants. Cohaagen also objectifies Quaid in the film. He does this when he decides to erase all of Quaid’s memories of being himself and turns him back into Hauser. Quaid is being objectified since Cohaagen is treating him like a tool that is no longer of use to him. Since Quaid has fulfilled his purpose of finding the Resistance and their leader, he is no longer of use thus Cohaagen is going to erase him and mold him back into Hauser.

3) Epistemology is connected to Total Recall as the whole film is concerned with what Quaid does and does not know. One scene that deals with this concept is when Quaid meets with George at the base of the Resistance. George asks him about the information he found that caused Cohaagen to erase his memories and Quaid asks if it might have been aliens. George responds, “You tell me” to which Quaid responds, “I don’t know.” However, George claims that Quaid does know and that the information is simply buried. This deals with epistemology as in the scene, the characters are asking, what does Quaid know? They are also asking, if it possible to access the knowledge in his brain even if he does not active know that knowledge. Another scene that deals with epistemology is the scene where Cohaagen reveals that he planted Quaid as a mole in the Resistance. This is deals with epistemology as the characters and the audience begin to question what the truth is. Is Cohaagen simply lying to make it seem like he had everything under control or is he telling the truth and the antagonists have been one step ahead all along? The scene also deals with epistemology as the characters and the audience begin to question who knew what information. Did Quaid know that Cohaagen wiped his memories with Hauser as a volunteer or is he simply a pawn in Cohaagen’s plans? For both questions being raised, the characters and the audiences are forced to ask, what is the truth?


Interesting and Provocative Questions Based on the Film:
1) Upon viewing this film, is Doug Quaid his real name and personality? Basically, is this a memory that was downloaded in Doug’s head or did it really happen?

2) Current science is developing drugs to alter people's memories when something traumatic has happened to them, to prevent them from developing PTSD. Would you want your memory erased or altered if something really bad happens to you?

3) A powerful political leader decided to turn off the oxygen in a sector that is filled with mutants, who are seen as less than human. He does this to find the terrorist leader. Does the justification that the mutants are inferior to humans make it morally acceptable for their potential slaughter in order to find a terrorist who has killed many people and caused problems for the government?

Extra Online Resources Related to Themes or Concepts of the Film:
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1614160/total-recall-ending-was-it-a-dream-the-whole-time This article explains the ending of the movie, reflecting on if Quaid was dreaming the whole time. The article goes over facts like the music being played, the ego trip “which is the name Total Rekall gives the memory option for Quaid to believe he is a secret agent”, and carefully explain what’s going on so they can come up with a conclusion. The article goes into detail and backs up its argument with interesting facts and ideas.

https://www.mandatory.com/culture/1162415-exclusive-paul-verhoeven-finally-explains-ending-total-recall
In this article the director himself, Paul Verhoeven, explains the ending of Total Recall. Verhoeven addresses the question if Quaid's adventures are false memories or reality. Reading this article might disappoint a few readers as the answer they get might not be what they want it to be.


Works Cited:

“A Serious Looking Quai.” SciFiMovieZone.com, SFMZone, https://www.scifimoviezone.com/totalrecall92.shtml.

“Cohaagen Reveals the Truth.” SciFiMovieZone.com, SFMZone, https://www.scifimoviezone.com/totalrecall92.shtml.

Golden, John. “Introducing Cinematic and Theatrical Elements in Film.” Knowing the Inner Self,

edited by Kelly McKinney, JAC Bookstore, 2019, p. 9-17.

"Arnold Schwarzenegger in Total Recall (1990)." IMDb, IMDb.com, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100802/mediaviewer/rm2521762560.

“Quaid Interrogating Dr. Edgemar.” SciFiMovieZone.com, SFMZone, https://www.scifimoviezone.com/totalrecall92.shtml.

TheAlpacino921. "TOTAL RECALL TRAILER 1990." YouTube.com, 7 Aug. 2009.

"Total Recall." IMDb, IMDb.com, 1 June 1990, www.imdb.com/title/tt0100802/.

"Total Recall Ending: Was It A Dream The Whole Time?" CINEMABLEND, 2016, www.cinmablend.com/news/1614160/total-recall-ending-was-it-a-dream-the-whole-time.

"Total Recall Finally Explained By Its Director - Mandatory." Mandatory, 2016, www.mandatory.com/culture/1162415-exclusive-paul-verhoeven-finally-explains-ending-total-recall.

Verhoeven, Paul, director. Total Recall. Tri-Star, 1990.

“X-Ray Machine Scene.” WifflesGif, https://wifflegif.com/gifs/634688-arnold-schwarzenegger-desafio-total-gif.