‘All dreams come to an end’: A Review of Total Recall (1990)

Re-watching Paul Verhoeven’s Total Recall feels like a breath of canned air from the early nineties. A hulking protagonist, copious amounts of violence, snappy one-liners, dramatically evil villains, and wonderful prosthetics and miniatures. Total Recall is a special film that I fondly recall during a science fiction slump or when I feel the need to inject some more Arnold Schwarzenegger into my viewing schedule.

Based upon Philip K. Dick’s short story We Can Remember It for You Wholesale, Verhoeven’s Total Recall depicts Douglas Quaid (Schwarzenegger), a bored and tired construction worker that dreams of visiting Mars, a planet on the verge of societal collapse. But after visiting Rekall, a company that implants false memories of vacations, something goes wrong and Quaid discovers that his entire life may have in fact been a false memory.

There is a part of me that wished Verhoeven would have stayed closer to the source material, perhaps even selecting a meager and somewhat meeker actor to depict Quaid (in earlier scripts, Richard Dreyfuss, Patrick Swayze, and even William Hurt were selected for the role). Verhoeven, however, quells this anxiety by bringing just enough love and passion to the screen. Although Schwarzenegger is often seen as a brutish action hero, the charisma he always brings to his roles is captivating. Whether he’s being chased in the jungle by the Predator, acting as a father figure to John Connor, or trying to survive in the Running Man, Schwarzenegger never fails to engage the audience. It is obvious that he really does want to be the best actor he can be, and this is apparent with his depiction of Quaid.

The aesthetic may not hold up for everyone (especially those of a younger generation), but it certainly envelops me in a swathe of nostalgia. The blocky, cuboid aesthetic of the future is endearing, as are the quirky technological pieces. Quaid’s woman suit (Priscilla Allen) is an example of the fun way Verhoeven characterizes technology in Total Recall, as is the ‘brain tracker’ Quaid tears from his nostril during a humorous moment in a decayed sprawl complex.

This naturally leads into Rob Bottin’s excellent use of practical special effects in which is used spectacularly throughout the film. Not only is the audience met with a variety of bizarre Schwarzenegger expressions (the Mars exposure being my favorite), but an array of Martian mutants ranging from the favorite three-boobed prostitute to the facially scarred psychics. Although they do not hold up as much as Bottin’s former work on Robocop or The Thing (ironically, older films), there is still enough talent here that warrants praise, especially as I still find myself being creeped out by Kuato’s (Marshall Bell) ungodly appearance.

Although the plot may sound a little overly complicated for a Schwarzenegger film, rest assured, Verhoeven spoils the audience with fast paced action, violence, and one-track villains. It may sound as if I am displeased with this, but in fact, the opposite is true. Vilos Cohaagen (Ronny Cox) and Richter (Michael Ironside) chew the scenery with such audacious arrogance that there is hardly a time I want them to disappear from the screen. This is especially true for Richter as Ironside is a master of his craft and never fails to impress.

Ultimately, the strength of this film lies in Phillip K. Dick’s conceit. The concept of memory and reality is nothing new to fans of Dick, but the way in which Verhoeven employs such misdirection and lack of answers plays to the strengths of the narrative. Sure, there are key tidbits of information scattered amid the film, but there is still no definitive answer whether or not Quaid is stuck in a lobotomized dream. This is an intelligent move that allows for the audience to piece together their own head-canon, something in which creates a different reality altogether.

Total Recall is a special movie filled with humor, charisma, satire, and fast-paced action. Yes, it is campy, quirky, and at times feels dated. But that only adds to the charm of Verhoeven’s interpretation, much like his Robocop and Starship Troopers. For those who have not watched the film, I strongly urge you to do so now! You will not regret it, though your significant other might if you don’t stop quoting the film (like me).

Total Recall – 7/10

If you’d like to recall Total Recall for yourself through physical media, you can find a copy here.

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