Carrie (1976)
2/4
Starring: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Betty Buckley, Nancy Allen, Amy Irving, William Katt, P.J. Soles, John Travolta
Rated R (presumably for Bloody Violence and Carnage, Language, Sexuality and Graphic Nudity)
Watching "Carrie" is an almost surreal experience. It feels less like a complete horror movie than a trailer for one. There's no depth, no drive in the plot and no sense that anything has any weight. It's hard to imagine why some have attributed the "classic" label on something so shallow.
Carrie White (Spacek) is a shy, lonely teenager with some serious issues. In fact, when she first gets her period, she freaks. Already considered a freak, her classmates, led by Chris Hargensen (Allen) and Sue Snell (Irving), humiliate her. Only her kindly teacher Miss Collins (Buckley) takes pity on the poor girl.
Why is Carrie such an outcast? Probably because she's kept in virtual isolation by her insane mother Margaret (Laurie), whose devotion to God crosses the line into child abuse. No wonder she's so tortured. Oh, and she can move things with her mind, too. Woe betide anyone who gets on her bad side.
The biggest of many problems with "Carrie" is that director Brian DePalma doesn't know how to present her. Is she a pitiful creature or a killer? I'm afraid the answer to that question changes to serve the needs of the plot. DePalma can't decide, and as such we don't really feel anything for her. Or anyone else for that matter. Well, strike that. Betty Buckely manages to leave a positive impression as the kindly gym teacher. It's an impressive achievement to be sure.
Sissy Spacek does a lot with an underwritten role. Carrie is strange, but she's a tortured soul who wants to be liked and accepted. When she finally gets the courage to escape her mother's clutches (if temporarily), we sense her joy. Of course, we all know how that turns out. Piper Laurie is pure caricature, and I'm not sure that's the right choice. Laurie thought (and still does) think that "Carrie" is actually a black comedy; she would burst out laughing between takes, even after DePalma took her aside to explain his vision. The villains of the film, like the bitchy Nancy Allen and malevolent doofus John Travolta are perfectly nasty, while the conflicted Amy Irving and patsy William Katt are also effective.
Before I decided to watch "Carrie," I raised concerns to my friend Kevin about the climactic massacre, where Carrie is again humiliated and goes berzerk. I have those same fears. True, Stephen King nor Brian DePalma could have envisioned the notorious school shootings over the past couple of years, but through no fault of its own reality has altered the way the ending is perceived. At least for me. What is (allegedly) a revenge fantasy has now taken an unsavory note. It feels ugly in all the wrong ways. DePalma must have sensed it too, since he's pretty coy about the carnage. He leaves a lot to the imagination, which is a mistake. This is pure exploitation, and audiences have a few expectations to satisfy. Either DePalma was cowardly or thought his film existed on another level, he doesn't give us the bloody satisfaction of Carrie's revenge. And he leaves a glaring plot hole open for good measure.
"Carrie" is far from awful. It's a great looking movie and there are some nice performances. It's just that either the movie hasn't aged well or was lame to begin with. Either way, there are better things to do than watch this overrated bloodbath.
Starring: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Betty Buckley, Nancy Allen, Amy Irving, William Katt, P.J. Soles, John Travolta
Rated R (presumably for Bloody Violence and Carnage, Language, Sexuality and Graphic Nudity)
Watching "Carrie" is an almost surreal experience. It feels less like a complete horror movie than a trailer for one. There's no depth, no drive in the plot and no sense that anything has any weight. It's hard to imagine why some have attributed the "classic" label on something so shallow.
Carrie White (Spacek) is a shy, lonely teenager with some serious issues. In fact, when she first gets her period, she freaks. Already considered a freak, her classmates, led by Chris Hargensen (Allen) and Sue Snell (Irving), humiliate her. Only her kindly teacher Miss Collins (Buckley) takes pity on the poor girl.
Why is Carrie such an outcast? Probably because she's kept in virtual isolation by her insane mother Margaret (Laurie), whose devotion to God crosses the line into child abuse. No wonder she's so tortured. Oh, and she can move things with her mind, too. Woe betide anyone who gets on her bad side.
The biggest of many problems with "Carrie" is that director Brian DePalma doesn't know how to present her. Is she a pitiful creature or a killer? I'm afraid the answer to that question changes to serve the needs of the plot. DePalma can't decide, and as such we don't really feel anything for her. Or anyone else for that matter. Well, strike that. Betty Buckely manages to leave a positive impression as the kindly gym teacher. It's an impressive achievement to be sure.
Sissy Spacek does a lot with an underwritten role. Carrie is strange, but she's a tortured soul who wants to be liked and accepted. When she finally gets the courage to escape her mother's clutches (if temporarily), we sense her joy. Of course, we all know how that turns out. Piper Laurie is pure caricature, and I'm not sure that's the right choice. Laurie thought (and still does) think that "Carrie" is actually a black comedy; she would burst out laughing between takes, even after DePalma took her aside to explain his vision. The villains of the film, like the bitchy Nancy Allen and malevolent doofus John Travolta are perfectly nasty, while the conflicted Amy Irving and patsy William Katt are also effective.
Before I decided to watch "Carrie," I raised concerns to my friend Kevin about the climactic massacre, where Carrie is again humiliated and goes berzerk. I have those same fears. True, Stephen King nor Brian DePalma could have envisioned the notorious school shootings over the past couple of years, but through no fault of its own reality has altered the way the ending is perceived. At least for me. What is (allegedly) a revenge fantasy has now taken an unsavory note. It feels ugly in all the wrong ways. DePalma must have sensed it too, since he's pretty coy about the carnage. He leaves a lot to the imagination, which is a mistake. This is pure exploitation, and audiences have a few expectations to satisfy. Either DePalma was cowardly or thought his film existed on another level, he doesn't give us the bloody satisfaction of Carrie's revenge. And he leaves a glaring plot hole open for good measure.
"Carrie" is far from awful. It's a great looking movie and there are some nice performances. It's just that either the movie hasn't aged well or was lame to begin with. Either way, there are better things to do than watch this overrated bloodbath.
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