| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A- |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A |
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|
| Visuals: |
A |
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NERVE-WRECKING AND HEART-WRENCHING
by dale (movies profile)
Jan 25, 2008
7
of
8 people found this review helpful
I have watched this movie more times than perhaps any other movie in cinematic history. One, because I like it so much. Two, because maybe I keep hoping Carrie (wonderfully portrayed by Sissy Spacek) will end up happy at the end. Whatever the reason, I keep coming back, again, and again, and again.
"Carrie" is Stephen King's first novel, and of all the novels and short stories he has written which were later adapted to the screen this one is my favorite.
Two things stand out in this movie big time, the directing (Brian DePalma), and the performances by Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie (who portrays Carrie's religious-crazed mother to a hilt).
Brian DePalma knows exactly how to steal your heart and make you feel all warm and fuzzy, and on the same note he can take your heart and smash it all to pieces. In this movie he does it with music and slow motion.
Sissy Spacek was nominated for her first Oscar for portraying Carrie, a lonely girl who has been taught (often harshly) by her religious-crazed mother that practically everything is a sin. Because of this Carrie grew into an isolated and withdrawn teenager who is often teased by her classmates, but little do they know that Carrie has the ability to move objects with her mind, especially when she's mad or upset.
Piper Laurie (also nominated for an Oscar) gives one of the best performances I ever saw as Carrie's mother. Her performance in itself is worth watching the movie for.
Having said all this, I save the best for last. When Carrie's cruel classmates lure her to the senior prom so they can play the ultimate joke on her is when Brian DePalma has us wrapped around his little finger. We like Carrie and we want her to eventually find happiness, and when she is voted (by switched ballots) the Queen of the prom we feel so happy for her, even though we already know her cruel classmates are going to dump a bucket of pigs blood on her. Carrie really does look pretty as she's walking up to the stage to get her crown, she's smiling with tears of happiness welling in her eyes, and she's happy perhaps for the first time in her entire life. The music as we watch this scene goes right along with what we see and feel. Carrie gets her crown and finally feels accepted by everyone, smiling, crying, and saying "thank you" all at the same time. Then the music changes. We hear suspense. Things start going into slow motion. We see the bucket of blood over her head. The music speeds up and up until the rope is pulled and the blood comes splashing down. Our nerves are totally shattered as we see Carrie look happy, then surprised, then shocked, then sad, and then angry...and then...all hell breaks loose! |
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