The Legend of the White Fly – A Commentary on The Fly (1986) Film

              Once there was a man who loved science more than anything. He spends a lot of time in his lab. He eats there, sleeps, and maybe even doesn’t take a bath that frequently. There even are times when he spends more time in his lab than with his family! These he’s been doing to realize his one true goal – to help the people through his inventions. So he theorized, built, experimented, conducted trials, and succeeded. He was able to realize his goal through the matter transporter he invented which allows things to be transported from point A to point B. However, just as he was ready to announce it, an accident occurred when he himself tried to use it! A fly accidently entered the chamber and they were scrambled altogether. His head and left arm became that of the fly. The fly on the other hand became peculiar – its head became white. Upon closer inspection, the reason why it was white was because the scientist’s head and arm replaced its original parts. Thus, the “white” fly was born!

               Getting back on the topic, the film “The Fly” is actually a science fiction horror, though I’m not sure about the horror part given that it was not that scary at all. For me, the film is somewhat a commentary of what science is – its function and purpose in society. Helping people through his creation/s is the purpose of the scientist Andre in the film, which is also similar to one of the primary purpose and function of science in our society. It studies our environment, analyze phenomenon, and uncover mysteries in order to find out their cause, effect, and applications. For them, gaining an understanding on these things will help improve the current conditions of the society as well as its inhabitants. Through their findings, not only can they make people’s lives easier – similar to what Andre’s goal is in the film, they can also explain whatever is occurring around them.

                The field of science nowadays has come a long way compared to how it is back then. However, all of these improvements did not come without a price given that scientific theories are proven on a trial-and-error basis by conducting a series of experiments. I’m sure a number of these experiments conducted by scientists did not always end up bearing good results or ended without any accidents. Most likely most of these had experienced some “something must have went wrong” or “it was not supposed to end like this” moments. One can also say that the film somewhat brushes on the morality issues concerning science wherein it makes our mind waver by making us feel guilty. But then again, it depends because each person has a different mindset, and I having a scientific mindset don’t see any problems with this for it is for the betterment of a greater number of people.

Andrew Kevin B. Mayor (2009 - 53399)