Carrie (1976)
“Sin never dies.”
|
Synopsis: |
|
Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
Response to Peary’s Review: Spacek’s performance is undeniably the critical element that grounds the film, elevating it from a finely crafted horror outing to a true (albeit warped) coming-of-age classic. Spacek is so iconically “Carrie” that it’s nearly impossible to imagine anyone else in the role (though we’ll soon get to see how Chloe Grace Moretz does in director Kimberly Peirce’s 2013 re-visioning of the story). But equally key are the fine supporting performances across the board — from Allen’s slimily prissy uber-bitch, to Irving’s conscience-stricken peer, to Buckley’s fiercely protective and maternal gym teacher, to Laurie’s genuinely terrifying religious fanatic. Speaking of Laurie, I think a case could be made that a film set entirely inside Carrie’s house would be an effective horror flick in its own right; the image of Laurie standing silently behind a semi-closed door as Carrie returns home after the bloody prom night is one of the most bone-chilling in cinematic history — not least because of what it implies about the film’s real basis for [domestic] horror. (Special kudos belong to set designer Jack Fisk, Spacek’s real-life husband, for turning their house into a candle-lit den of horrors.) De Palma’s film is perhaps most unusual for the range of tones he employs, as he shifts repeatedly between teen comedy (viz. the wacky appearance of P.J. Soles and Edie McClurg as two of Carrie’s classmates, or the scene in which three boys try on tuxes for the prom); satire (i.e., Allen and Travolta’s over-the-top nastiness and villainy, especially during Allen’s passive-aggressive seduction of Travolta in the car); romantic fantasy (as during the idyllic first part of Carrie’s prom experience, when she and Katt begin to fall for one another); Gothic perversion (all scenes between Carrie and her insane mother); and “pure” horror (i.e., the entire last portion of the movie — which Peary argues is “overly violent”, but I disagree; De Palma employs enough restraint from violence throughout most of the story that the final bloody outcome feels “deserved”). Also noteworthy is how artfully De Palma (with help from DP Mario Tosi) directs and crafts each scene, strategically utilizing deep-focus placements, split-screen cinematography, low lighting, suspenseful editing, and unusual use of sound (or lack thereof) to heighten mood. The film is never uninteresting to look at; even as we occasionally wish for deeper character development (Irving and Katt’s characters are especially under-explored), we can’t help staying glued to the screen. Note: Catching snippets from Carrie on television as an impressionable child was single-handedly responsible for my dread of horror films for many years — until I was old enough to approach them from an appropriately aesthetic film-fanatic perspective; nowadays, I appreciate this fact as further evidence of De Palma’s genius with the genre. Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
Must See? Categories
(Listed in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die) Links: |
One thought on “Carrie (1976)”
A no-brainer must-see, as a modern cult classic. Arguably De Palma’s best, most fully realized film.
Just about every major point re: ‘Carrie’ is brought out in the review here, so I have little to add. I have seen this movie so many times that it’s rather difficult to write about it. I’m not sure I could count the number of times my best bud Tom and I saw it when we lived together. It was just one of those which, when it became available on VHS, was a staple entertainment for us, as it’s jam-packed with elements that make multiple viewings quite easy. Among these elements, as mentioned, is the free-wheeling tone throughout. That’s a very smart move – it reflects the fact that life is made up of conflicting tones, so it lends an atmosphere of reality to the tale; so much so, that Carrie’s power does not come off as all that unlikely (given the fact that she even goes to the library to research what’s inside her and what she’s capable of).
I don’t recall the main character being all that unsympathetic in King’s novel, though I may not remember exactly. How could that kind of outsider – getting no significant, lasting help from others anywhere – be unsympathetic?
I first saw this on release in an almost-empty theater…and I recall being able to identify with Carrie that much more, since I was pretty much alone in the space and could easily focus on Carrie’s outcast state.
As many agree, there isn’t really a wrong step in casting. And Spacek and Laurie have created singular, indelible portraits in the world of horror movies. All of their scenes together are drenched with tension and dripping with subtext…and their final showdown is simply not to be believed.
The icing on this Halloween cake of a film is Pino Donaggios’ score…very classy for a horror film; it immediately places us squarely on Carrie’s side, for one thing…and we stay there.