The Borrower

Toronto International Film Festival Program Book
1991

The Borrower
John McNaughton
USA, 1990 97 minutes
Colour/35mm
Production Company: Cannon Pictures
Executive Producer: William H. Coleman
Producer: Steven A. Jones
Screenplay: Mason Nage, Richard Fire
Cinematography: Julio MaCay, Robert New
Editor: Elena Maganini
Art Director: Robert Henderson
Principal Cast: Rae Dawn Chong, Don Gordon, Antonio Fargas

An insect-like alien is convicted of heinous crimes on his home planet. As punishment he is transformed into a human being and banished to an earth city named Chicago. The creature, psychotic and confused, finds himself unable to integrate into North American culture, either psychologically or physically. When his violent tendencies emerge—which they do quite often—he loses his head. Literally. Replacements are required immediately, and the nearest human will do. Meanwhile, down at police headquarters, homicide detective Rae Dawn Chong is stalking an escaped murderer. She is intrigued by the rash of headless victims that have begun turning up. Will this jaded police woman be able to find The Borrower and save the Windy City from his brutal alien violence? Such is the foundation of John McNaughton’s film, the smartest alien possession tale in years. Lovers of wacky makeup effects will delight in the various heads being ripped off and put on (kudos to effects maestro Kevin Yagher). Others will enjoy the extreme performances of five character actors, each of whom gets “borrowed” by the creature. Their ensemble effort is strangely credible, giving the alien an integrated (if a touch deranged) personality. McNaughton has become something of a superstar since the release of his first film, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, a cult classic that continues to be lauded by critics and festivals around the world. As a result, he was recently hired to direct new films with both Eric Bogosian and Robert De Niro. But, before his career took off, McNaughton made this little gem for the now defunct Atlantic Releasing. Tied up in litigation until recently, The Borrower gives Festival audiences a chance to see Hollywood’s newest directing “discovery” in his formative years. —Noah Cowan