Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde is a 1995 comedy-fantasy film with fresh and thought-provoking takes on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson's novella, "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". The film successfully adopts a gender-bender twist, with a brilliant ensemble cast including Sean Young, Tim Daly, and Lysette Anthony, offering a humorous exploration of the duality of human nature.

The movie is based in the backdrop of New York City's bustling corporate landscape, where we meet our protagonist, Richard Jacks (Tim Daly), an endearing yet struggling scientist striving to make his mark in the cosmetics industry. He is a direct descendent of the infamously known Dr. Jekyll, and his tale takes off when he stumbles upon an intriguing personal relic from his great-grandfather, an old formula alleged to unleash the beast within humans.

Under pressure to deliver an innovative new product in his profession, and quite oblivious to the chaos that may ensue, Richard decides to refine and test Dr. Jekyll's formula. However, contrary to the original story, instead of transforming into a malevolent version of himself, Richard morphs into a self-serving, voluptuous and alluring woman - Helen Hyde, played by Sean Young.

Sean Young masterfully portrays Helen Hyde as a vivacious, manipulative, ambitious woman who knows how to get what she wants. Helen swiftly steps into Richard's shoes, skillfully climbing corporate ladders and leaving him to deal with the aftermath of her actions. Her unpredictability and audacity add vibrancy to the narrative, prompting moments of comedy, chaos, and conflict.

Tim Daly, meanwhile, breathes life into the hapless and confused Richard, forced to wrestle with his newfound dual gender identity while helming a rapidly changing personal and professional life. The chemistry and face-off between Daly's Dr. Jekyll and Young's Ms. Hyde make for some compelling cinema.

Lysette Anthony features as Sarah Carver, a wholesome, anti-feminist marketing executive who, after recently breaking up with Richard, finds herself drawn towards his feminine alter-ego, Helen. Anthony adds another layer of intricacy to the plot with her robust performance.

Director David Price adopts an unconventional approach to interpreting the Jekyll and Hyde narrative. He incorporates elements of absurdist humor and offbeat comedy to project the identity crisis the protagonist faces. Some decidedly romantic elements further add a layer of poignancy to the storyline.

Further value is added by the scriptwriters who have intelligently used the potion's unpredictability to invoke humor and present a stark yet comical contrast between the personas of mild-mannered Richard and the provocative Helen. William A. Fraker's cinematography, combined with Richard Hissong's editing, eases the transition between the two polar opposite characters, giving the movie a smooth narrative flow.

The movie also delves deeper into the psyche of its characters and their struggles with identity, ambition, power and the societal expectations of gender roles. It poignantly presents how different the world can often perceive and treat the same person when they adopt an alternate persona.

In essence, Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde presents a refreshing take on the original novella. Pocketed with moments of slapstick humor, gender-role conversations, and identity crises, it introduces audiences to a new side of the much-loved and much-feared Dr. Jekyll. The movie could thus be relished by fans of subtle humor, classic tales, and thought-provoking contemporary cinema alike.