Tags
1970's, Amy Irving, Betty Buckley, Brian De Palma, Carrie, Horror, John Travolta, Nancy Allen, Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek, Stephen King, Supernatural Horror, William Katt
Film Title
Carrie
Director
Brian De Palma
Starring
- Sissy Spacek as Carrie White
- Piper Laurie as Margaret White
- Amy Irving as Sue Snell
- Nancy Allen as Chris Hargensen
- Betty Buckley as Miss Collins
- William Katt as Tommy Ross
- John Travolta as Billy Nolan
Based on the novel by Stephen King, Carrie is a heartbreaking and frightening take of bullying and the limits that someone is pushed to. With Brian De Palma behind the camera and Sissy Spacek supremely moving as the titular protagonist, Carrie becomes a compelling exercise in horror rooted mostly in the real world, but with supernatural touches complimenting it.
Carrie White is a painfully shy outcast in high school, who is mercilessly bullied by her fellow peers. She has an equally unhappy home life where her mother Margaret is a crazed religious zealot who thinks anything remotely sexual is a sin, regularly beats Carrie and forces her to pray for her alleged sins. Carrie is once again tormented when she experiences menstruation for the first time in the showers and as a result of her upbringing that hasn’t explained it, she is targeted by a number of girls headed by the sadistic Chris Hargensen. Miss Collins breaks up the horror of the situation and attempts to comfort Carrie. She punishes the girls for their horrible treatment of Carrie, resulting in Chris being banned from prom due to her lack of sympathy and refusal to admit she’s done anything wrong. At the same time, the timid Carrie starts exhibiting signs of telekinesis that flair up when she is angry and she struggles to understand. One of the girls involved in the torment, Sue Snell, starts to feel very guilty about her part in it and wanting to be nice, she asks her boyfriend Tommy to take Carrie to the approaching prom. She sees it as a way to help Carrie and also as an apology for her behaviour of which she feels immense remorse for. Carrie is apprehensive when Tommy asks her as she thinks it is a prank, but after talking and getting advice from the kind Miss Collins, she accepts. Meanwhile, the horrid Chris ropes her boyfriend into engineering some sort of revenge on Carrie. Carrie’s mother is adamant that her daughter will no go to the prom, but Carrie finally stands up for herself and attends. But after a vicious prank set up by Chris and her boyfriend humiliates Carrie just as she feels accepted, she completely breaks and makes those who have bullied her very sorry in a most fatal and gruesome way with the use of her powers.
Brian De Palma directs this film a stylish and surprisingly empathetic touch to showcase the way that Carrie wants to be accepted and is repeatedly bullied for it. Sensitive and compassionate are not often words associated with De Palma, but his approach to the material really hits home in how it presents the horrors of bullying and being seen as different by ignorant others. And while a film that is in the horror genre, the biggest unsettling parts are the depictions of cruelty and nastiness that Carrie endures. When she finally lashes out and unleashes her powers, you can see why this is happening. She has been put to the razors edge and is now acting out retribution of the most fatal kind. Carrie is no monster, merely a misunderstood girl with a gift that finally snaps when torment gets to much, and I think everyone whose ever been mistreated or bullied can at least relate to that feeling of being so downtrodden and yet wanting to get back at those who frighten them. Which brings me onto my next point of interest. Now no review of this film would be complete without a shout out to the justly celebrated prom sequence when Carrie is pushed over the edge with no way back. Utilizing an assortment of techniques( eerie yet tense slow motion, the maximizing of particular sounds and striking split-screen) the results of the scene are simply haunting in how chilling and precise everything is, as Carrie turns the prom into a bloodbath. I could wax lyrical about this forever but the review can’t be a full on essay. All that’s left to say is De Palma is the masterful composer behind the detailed and shocking scene that leaves a big imprint on the mind, and won’t be forgotten for a long time after the movie finishes. Carrie adeptly straddles the tropes of a perceptive high school drama with horror that grows to a jaw-dropping finale, confirming it as a horror film that deals with real life social issues compassionately. The pace of it is just right, building up to the climatic snapping of Carrie’s mind with assurance and some cleverly ironic foreshadowing. And the score is purely amazing in every aspect of the word. Pino Donaggio works wonders as he covers all the emotional ground of Carrie, while bringing in by little nuances, the suspense and shocks that will eventually ignite. You couldn’t have asked for a better score for this film than the lyrical and haunting one it sports.
Sissy Spacek represents the tormented soul of the film with a natural and sympathetic performance. There are times when she is so authentic that it doesn’t seem like she is acting at all, so sincere and expressive in her interpretation of Carrie’s anguish and victimized mind. There is simply no one who could have been so convincing in the part and use their eyes to both moving and unnerving effect, particularly noticeable in the prom sequence when Carrie’s powers come into full force. Piper Laurie is wildly and suitably over the top as Carrie’s crazy mother, who puts fear into her heart and also the audience’s. She really goes for the unrestrained and frightening approach that is superbly played like a pro, which of course Piper Laurie is. This is the mother of your nightmares, and has to rank as one of the most unhinged to hit the cinema screen. In her movie debut, Amy Irving strikes the right notes of guilt-ridden shame and atonement for her actions in a quiet but evocative way. Nancy Allen stars as queen of nasty and vicious Chris, and you can’t fault her performance because you genuinely loathe this character. Betty Buckley is a supportive presence as the kind Miss Collins, while William Kitt displays a sensitivity as Sue’s boyfriend who is persuaded to ingratiate Carrie to the prom. And of course, there is a very young John Travolta, who successfully plays the none too bright boyfriend of Chris who is pulled in to help her exact her shocking prank on the title character.
A dazzling horror and cautionary tale of how you should think about the treatment of others, Carrie is rightfully iconic and cuts deep on a lot of levels.
sonofabeach96 said:
Creepy movie, and Spacek fits the role perfectly. Love Stephen King novels, and the film adaptations are usually nowhere near as good as the books. But this one was. 😃
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vinnieh said:
Spacek was perfect in the part, she was so moving and believable. Yes, when the horror begins, it goes to some deep and frightening places.
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sonofabeach96 said:
Haha! Indeed! Mr. King has a warped imagination. 😃
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vinnieh said:
He knows how to chill people that’s for sure.
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beetleypete said:
Definitely Spacek’s moment in the spotlight, V. It makes the lamentable remake all the more pointless too.
(I see you are working through De Palma!)
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Spacek completely embodies the aching desire to be accepted and eventually the snapping of reality. I don’t think I’ll ever both with the remake because of how great this version is. Yes, very observant of you Pete. I am working through De Palma.
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beetleypete said:
I am looking forward to seeing what you make of ‘Blow Out’!
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vinnieh said:
And I very much look forward to seeing that movie Pete.
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AntonioWestley said:
I gotta say, the latest remake was pretty messed up man
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vinnieh said:
I think it was a real waste of time for them to remake such an outstanding film. The logic baffles me of why they bothered.
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AntonioWestley said:
I don’t know, seems like it was at a time when bullying was at an all time high so I guess it was fitting. But I was pretty disturbed by the turn out
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vinnieh said:
I can’t really comment on the remake because I haven’t seen it. But I found the original dealt with bullying in a really piercing way that hit home.
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AntonioWestley said:
Well I recommend the remake only because it was well made but I don’t recommend watching it for the reasons I mentioned earlier. It was just one of them things you don’t forget man but hey if your curious enough that also could be a reason to indulge
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for commenting, I like to converse with like minded people.
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AntonioWestley said:
Always, I’m pleased to leave comments where they aren’t abandoned ✌😁
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vinnieh said:
I think it’s only fair to reply to comments. The people have taken the time to read your work so you should repay them with an answer.
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AntonioWestley said:
Exactly my friend, its just rare on blogs for some odd reason but to each its own ✌😁
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vinnieh said:
I enjoy chatting to others, it makes blogging very fun and beneficial for me.
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AntonioWestley said:
Can’t argue with that hehehe
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vinnieh said:
And I have a lot of fun and laughs with fellow bloggers.
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Eva Blaskovic said:
Carrie, the book, circulated among us as junior high girls. It was a different genre than I typically read and found it captivating, especially the impact of a strange upbringing. The bullying aspect as well as the “popular” group or favourites was also relatable.
I can’t remember when I saw the movie, if it was soon after reading the book or years later. I enjoyed the book better. I’m picking at decades-old memories here, but the book seemed more plausible than the movie. The movie put a lot of focus on the effects. It put the visual horror in your face, but the book made you FEEL Carrie’s pain.
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Eva Blaskovic said:
I believe the book delved more into Carrie’s home life and her weird mother, which really helped one to understand the psychology behind Carrie. It also put emphasis on her desire to belong, since human beings are, after all, social creatures.
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vinnieh said:
It sounds pretty fascinating, I must say.
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vinnieh said:
I haven’t read the novel so I can’t really talk about that. Maybe one day I will. The book is better than the movie is usually the case with most adaptations.
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thespiritkeeper said:
They couldn’t have picked a better person for this role. I still remember the scene when her cleavage is showing and her mother calls them dirty pillows. They’re breast mama. I still have that stuck in my head lol
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vinnieh said:
Yes, that scene really shows how warped and frightening her mother is. Poor Carrie, all she wanted was to belong!
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thespiritkeeper said:
Yes it did. Yes that sense of belonging can be shattered by our peers around us.
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vinnieh said:
It was heartbreaking stuff.
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fragglerocking said:
One of the few horror movies I’ve seen, always an exception when Stephen King is involved 🙂 As you said, Spacek was perfect for this.
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vinnieh said:
Sissy Spacek was flawless. I really bought into her tormented soul and victimised being. It was a haunting performance and her eyes, especially in that prom scene, are chilling.
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vanbytheriver said:
A classic King adaptation…one of the earliest and creepiest !
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vinnieh said:
I would put it very near the top of the pack. It has a really emotional part to it and then ignites that with disturbing horror.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I agree with Eva, in that the book is definitely better, but that’s usually the case with film adaptations. That said, I think this was one of the best done from King’s books. The casting was perfect and De Palma did a solid job balancing the psychological and social aspects of the story, with pretty spectacular (for the time) special effects. Outstanding review Vinnie!💁🏻
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vinnieh said:
De Palma had the style for this thing nailed down yet also made certain that the emotional parts rang true. The casting of Sissy Spacek was a stroke of genius.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Most definitely Vinnie. If you ever have the time I think you’d really like the book.😊
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vinnieh said:
I’ll give it a shot.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
You won’t be sorry. Promise!😊
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vinnieh said:
I trust you Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
🤗
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thepunktheory said:
One of my all-time favourite horror movies. I love how different the film is in many aspects when you compare it with the book!
My post on the matter: http://wp.me/p2DYTl-tX
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for that link, will bookmark it.
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Mario said:
This film adaptation was great! I knew the premise but I didn’t watch the film itself until after I listened to the audiobook. I also watched one of the remakes which was on a streaming service. Nice review.
Watch Suspiria!!!
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vinnieh said:
This film provides a cautionary tale of thinking about your actions with the horror the repercussions. Suspiria is now added to my list.
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keepsmealive said:
When you said De Palma, I knew you’d get to this one!
Absolute classic.
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vinnieh said:
Yep, an outstanding movie and De Palma at some of his best.
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ninvoid99 said:
Definitely one of my favorite De Palma films as it’s always fun to watch.
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vinnieh said:
He’s at the apex of his powers here. He had the style and the compassion for the sensitive parts that paid dividens.
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Paul. Writer, Blogger and Filmmaker said:
Great review. This is both an amazingly technical film and an emotional one. Right up to the final shocking scene it grips me. Definitely in the Top Ten horror films for me.
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vinnieh said:
That balance it strikes is pretty marvellous. That last scene is a real shocker to this day!
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raistlin0903 said:
This was an amazing film, and so much better than the remake. (But then again that probably should not have really come as a big surprise 😀). Great review as always!
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vinnieh said:
This film was so masterful it would difficult to replicate it. And why anyone would want to is beyond anyone’s guess.
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Purpleanais said:
Brilliant! I love this film though I agree with others that the book is of course much better.
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vinnieh said:
I think it’s inevitable that the book will be better because you form your own personal picture of things.
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Purpleanais said:
That’s very true. Also, I’m a big Stephen King fan so… 🙂
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vinnieh said:
I get that.
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Dell on Movies (@w_ott3) said:
For me, Carrie is less horror than it is really dark comedy, and social satire. That empathetic quality you speak of is a part of that. It never really tries to scare us, but make a commentary on certain things. Also throughout we’re asked to be on the side of the one person who has the ability to kill everyone else, unlike most other horror flicks. It is a fantastic film. I just don’t view it as straightforward horror.
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vinnieh said:
You make some very compelling points there. I can definitely see the satire and irony in it. It’s a most unusual but wholly amazing watch.
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JJAzar said:
I have to watch this one! It seems Carrie can provide for important discussion. Here’s a girl who’s been tormented enough that she feels compelled to lash out in a violent way. Is anyone “more correct” in this situation? The supernatural element of the film isn’t true to life, of course, but the dynamic of “the bullied kid getting revenge” is very much a real thing that occurs often. Can the kid be blamed? Some would say no, she’s a product of cruel torment. Others might say yes, she resorted to violence and sunk down to her tormentors’ level. Great review!
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vinnieh said:
It certainly raises a lot of questions. Carrie is such a victimised character that when she does finally snap, I think it’s pretty understandable. Some won’t see it that way, but we can’t all agree.
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JJAzar said:
I agree with you. Kicking a dog and acting surprised when it bites you is foolish. We know what humanity is capable of. We know what humanity can do when it is pushed, oppressed, wounded. It doesn’t make the retaliation right in itself, but it sure is logical.
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vinnieh said:
The analogy of kicking a dog and it biting back is a very good one. It’s in our nature to defend ourselves when threatened. It may not always be right, but it is often intrinsic in us.
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peggyatthemovies said:
my favourite scary movie of all time! 😀
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vinnieh said:
It’s definitely an iconic film in the genre.
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emmakwall said:
Classic!
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vinnieh said:
That’s the only word for this movie.
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