Disclaimer: These are simply some of my views. Things that have crossed my mind over time and mutipal viewings. I am willing to consider or except other explanations and have an open mind to what others beileve is there interruptions of events.
I have written this down in note form as 1.) I am not a good writer and 2.) it was easiler for me to keep track of certain points of interest while keeping the plotline somewhat in order.
Now I suggest to you to OPEN YOUR MIND...Open your Mind.......open your mind.
Tagline: What would you do if someone stole your mind?
Teaser trailer:
An interesting Teaser trailer. I must say, very thought provoking.
"Your mind it is the centre of life. it is everything you hear. everything you see. everything you feel. it is everything you are. how would you know if someone stole your mind."
Reality versus Dream
let me just get this out of the way. I believe in the end he's a vegatable, he's dreaming, he's created his own reality within his mind etc. Obviously because of this I'm going to go into more detail as to why I think it's a dream. While not spend too much time that it could be reality.
I do disagree with this point of view.
I don't give consideration. I don't adhere to the possiblility that one thing makes it a dream or one thing makes it a reality. The material is too strong. It's based on Dick's book and directed by Verhoeven too smart individuals this film is not that simple to evaluate.
For Example: The idea that sweat automatically makes it reality is silly considering within that same scene Dr. Edgemar is also describing events that will transpire over the rest of the film. essentially telling Quaid how is dream will play out.
[Quaid points a gun at Dr. Edgemar's head]
Douglas Quaid: All right, let's say you're telling the truth and this is all a dream. I could pull this trigger and it won't matter.
Dr. Edgemar: It won't make the slightest difference to me Doug, but the consequences to you will be devastating. In your mind, I'll be dead, and with no one to guide you out, you'll be stuck here in permanent psychosis. The walls of reality will come crashing down around you. One minute, you're the savior of the rebel cause; next thing you know, you'll be Cohaagen's bosom buddy. You'll even have fantasies about alien civilizations as you requested; but in the end, back on Earth, you'll be lobotomized! So get a grip on yourself, Doug, and put down that gun!
Or seeing Melina just before he's put under at rekall that this some how tips the scale in favour of it being a dream. Consider this, He's already seen Melina in his dream(s) at the begining of the film. I would suggest a few things. One he's being drugged as he sees her image on the srceen. Two, it's from his point of view and no one elses which three could suggest a hallucination brought on by the drug that they have given him.
Another point to be brought up in the "going under" sequence at rekall is the storyline created for him - Called Ego trip; alien articfacts, secret agents, a basic description of a women that looks and acts like Melina and this bit of dialogue.
Bob McClane: What is it that is exactly the same about every single vacation you have ever taken?
Douglas Quaid: I give up.
Bob McClane: You! You're the same. No matter where you go, there you are. It's always the same old you. Let me suggest that you take a vacation from yourself. I-I know it sounds wild. It is the latest thing in travel. We call it the Ego Trip.
which just so happens to fellow his so called real identity Hauser and the mentioning of Blue Sky on Mars is a big give away. Verhoeven is laying it on pretty thick here.
Intentional.
Verhoeven consistently gives weight to the idea that it could all possible be going on within Quaid's head once he's at rekall. Also there's more evidence pointing towards it being a dream rather then reality but there's a reason for this as well.
The reason
The use of Arnold Schwarzenegger the actor being in the lead role which would suggest the capabliity of Arnold's character Quaid/Hauser begining able to do the things he does in the film with a certain amount of believability. That goes in toe with any Arnie film you watch. Therefor making Verhoeven task less difficult in the reality side of things a more demanding in the dream angle said of things.
The film starts with are main character Quaid he's dreaming he's on Mars with Melina which just so happens to be the women of his dreams HA HA. There walking along when Quaid looses his footing and falls braking open is protective helmet exposing himself to mars elements.
So are real journey begins or so where lead to beileve. Quaid/Hauser attempts to find away out of this nightmare that as his wife says he keeps on having. The fear of being unable to breath yadda yadda yadda. So for the rest of the film where lead by his imagination his need to create breathable air on mars and therefor escape his nightmare. Maybe a little far fetched, I know.
You have to consider the context of how each scene fellows each scene.
things to consider, points of interest.
Dr. Lull: [after Quaid goes crazy at Rekall] Listen to me, he's been going on and on about Mars. He's really been there.
Bob McClane: Use your head, you dumb b***h! He's just acting out the secret agent portion of his Ego Trip.
Dr. Lull: I'm afraid that's not possible.
Bob McClane: Why not?
Dr. Lull: Because we haven't implanted it yet!
At rekall they don't eraser your memory they add to it. What better place to start ones ego trip then in the chair that's giving you your new memories. Of course, one can also look at this dialogue and simply say no, that's what's really happening to him.
Dr. Edgemar: What's bulls**t, Mr. Quaid? That you're having a paranoid episode triggered by acute neuro-chemical trauma? Or that you're really an invincible secret agent from Mars who's the victim of an interplanetary conspiracy to make him think he's a lowly construction worker? Stop punishing yourself, Doug. You're a fine, upstanding man. You have a beautiful wife who loves you. Your whole life is ahead of you. But you've got to want to return to reality.
I like how right after this dialogue is spoken. His so called Wife plays it so unsincerely it's such a juxtaposition of what's reality and what's not. Mind f**k to the fulliest.
Consider this. How many times does Quaid/Hauser get hit in the nuts or grab in the nether-regions. Would this be considered a fear one brings to his dreams.
I read somewhere along the lines that he's isn't necessary dreaming he's already been to rekall had his ego trip and has come out of it delusional or psychotic.
Harry: Hey, Quaid.
Douglas Quaid: Harry.
Harry: How was your trip to Mars?
Douglas Quaid: What trip?
Harry: You went to Rekall, remember?
Douglas Quaid: I did?
Harry: Yeah, you did. I told you not to, but you went anyway.
Douglas Quaid: What are you, my father?
Your best friends is out to get you. Your wife's trying to kill you (multipal times). I thought that was defaintly an interesting slant on the film.
A few weird things to think about.
Why if the future is so tech heavy. Why is Quaid seen still using a basic jack hammer. Wouldn't manual labour be at least a little less intensive in the future. It Brings to mind the image of Johnny Cab. Why wouldn't there be a more futuristic approach to the jack hammer as there is to the cab, there must be a reason for this?
An observation Why does it seem Quaid/Hauser after he comes out of rekall. He isn't able to understand how devices in the future work. One example there maybe more is Johnny Cab.
Douglas Quaid: Where am I?
Johnnycab: You're in a Johnnycab.
Douglas Quaid: I mean, what am I doing here?
Johnnycab: I'm sorry. Would you please rephrase the question?
Douglas Quaid: How did I get in this taxi?
Johnnycab: The door opened. You got in.
[Johnnycab rolls his eyes]
He's seems genuine surprised that there's a none human driving the vechile and later on when he's being chased by Richter he isn't able to give directions. Certainly he must know that in order for the cab to go anywhere you must give it directions it's an automated machine for crying out loud.
Second observation is the XRay detector.
What! he thought he'd be able to run through it without setting off alarms. He simply could have dumbed the gun yet there he is running through it with gun in tote. The technogoly seems to be more advance then he gives it credit for once he leaves rekall, maybe this is just me trying to see something that really isn't there. Possibly.
Vilos Cohaagen: Kuato wants what's in Quaid's head, and he might be able to get it 'cause they say he's psychic; and I have a plan to keep this from happening. Do you think you could play along?
Richter: Yes, sir.
Vilos Cohaagen: Great, 'cause otherwise, I'll erase your ass!
Aha! Doesn't he mean Hauser's mindalso
What's the plan? must be Dr. Edgemar? or Bennie or both. but really he just wants Kuato dead right?
There's something I don't get here?
Richter: You wanted to see me sir.
Vilos Cohaagen: Richter, you know why I'm such a happy person?
Richter: No, sir.
Vilos Cohaagen: Because I have one of the greatest jobs in the solar system. As long as the turbinium keeps flowing, I can do anything I want. Anything!
[gets up from his chair]
Vilos Cohaagen: In fact, the only thing I worry about is, one day, if the rebels win, it all might end.
[In Richter's face]
Vilos Cohaagen: And you're f**kING MAKING IT HAPPEN! First, you tried to kill Quaid and then you let him get away.
Richter: He had help from our side, sir.
Vilos Cohaagen: I know that.
Richter: But, I thought...
Vilos Cohaagen: [interrupting] Who told you to THINK? I don't give you enough information to THINK! You do as you're told, THAT'S WHAT YOU DO!
Why is Richter on Earth? I understand Cohaagan need to flush out the rebels and to get to their leader Kuato by using his best buddy Hauser. He implants a new identity for him on earth? not mars? with a new wife and best friend to watch over him. I guess here's my problem or question. Richter is there to push him back to mars. I simply see no other use for Richter on earth. Cohaagan hasn't told him much of anything basically stating in as many words your a dog do as your comanded or i'll find someone else to replace you. Okay, Why doesn't Cohaagan tell Richter before the s**t hits the fan that under no circumstance is Quaid/Hauser to be touched only prodded into going back to mars in all due time. There's an overkill to Richter's intention from the start obviously because Quaid is banging his Women (Stone). Cohaagan doesn't have a leesh in his dog. Seems far fetched. It's not subtle at all and gives me the impression it's in Quaid's mind. Reason It's easy for him to feel that's its okay to cheat on his wife, hey, she cheated on me first. Am I being to hard or have I missed something that explains this away.
A scene of interest. A point of contention. Could it be real?
Kuato: What do you want, Mr. Quaid?
Douglas Quaid: The same as you; to remember.
Kuato: But why?
Douglas Quaid: To be myself again.
Kuato: You are what you do. A man is defined by his actions, not his memory.
In this scene Kuato is using his power of telepathy on Quaid/Hauser's mind. We get a strange perspective at first, a bird like view. After much thought I've come to the conclusion that Kuato isn't able to get a specific scenario or situation that has happened in Hauser's past because his mind is just to jumbled up with Quaid's. The images of the reactor which is the secret Cohaagan wants to keep away from the rebels but uses to flush out Kuato is showen but still not given away. As Kuato asks Quaid to OPEN YOUR MIND once again going deeper into Hauser's memory. People are heard to be talking about the signifcance of this device and what it might be made to do. The listenier is Richter he's stepping in for Quaid's side of his memory (NEW). the explainier is Cohaagan steps in for Hauser's side of his memory (OLD). It's a very strange scene that Quaid could never have been part of or Richter could never have been in. I've always enjoyed this scenes ambiguity. It's also one of the strongest scene which makes me beileve it all may very well be happening. Funny that a dream-like sequence could make me think it all could be true.
I think i'm going to stop for now I think my head might blowup.
