Just for some perspective, I remember watching The Lawnmower Man many years ago when I was a kid. I’m pretty sure I watched it on basic cable. I remember really liking it, upon my initial viewing. Keep in mind, it was the early 90’s and the special effects available were very limited compared to the computer generated spectacles being produced in Hollywood today. Special effects aside, I still like this film. I loved the idea of the using technology to empower the less fortunate. However after watching the film again many years, I picked up on several other themes. Specifically with the Director’s Cut which offers nearly 40 minutes of additional footage from the film’s theatrical cut.

The Lawnmower Man is directed by Brett Leonard, who is also credited with the film’s screenplay along with Gimel Everett for the science fiction horror film. Coincidentally, Leonard would direct a similarly-themed thriller just a few years later called Virtuosity (1995) starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.

Most notable for portraying James Bond four times on the big screen among many other film and television credits, Pierce Brosnan plays Dr. Lawrence Angelo. The plot centers on Dr. Angelo’s quest to help a mentally-challenged man named Jobe (Jeff Fahey) overcome his disability through science and technology. While many may not be familiar with Fahey, the veteran actor has numerous acting credits. Most recently for supporting roles in Alita: Battle Angel and Wu Assassins.

The Lawnmower Man sees Jobe go from an abused and harassed landscaper to having god-like abilities through Dr.Angelo’s treatments. While the initial results are positive for Jobe, the side effects quickly take a dangerous turn. This is the overall theme as best expressed in the film’s tagline “God made him simple, science made him a God”. There are several other aspects explored in this film.