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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly horrifying and scary... makes you think., March 24, 2000
Seeing this movie on cable is nothing compared to actually seeing it uncut and rated R. Unlike the ludicrously-conceived sequel, which hit theaters in 1999, this movie does not have a strong emphasis on blood or gore, and there is an evident emotional factor as well. The viewers can actually sympathize with Carrie White as she goes through her adolescent period, endures the hardhips of being the center of ridicule and banter, and her feelings of happiness when Tommy asks her to the prom. Sissy Spacek plays her character to a T, making the emotions believable and realistic. Piper Laurie, who plays her mother, is the pinacle of the tight-fisted parent who allows for nothing degrading to enter into her child's life or mind. Brian de Palma has truly done a marvelous job in recreating the Stephen King classic, and while some factors of the movie and the book differ at different times, there is still a remaining quality of justice done to the novel. This movie will also make some people think twice before making fun of anyone again. To all who see this, I hope you enjoy it.
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You can't just look at this as a horror movie anymore, June 14, 2007
This is one of my favorite films. If you've never seen it how lucky you are to still have it ahead of you! If you haven't seen it for years, and remember it as just a dumb teen horror movie, you have the pleasure of discovering how well made and acted it is.
I was one of those who just thought this was a dumb teen horror movie, and was thus surprised when it was the first film we studied in one of my college film courses. Learning how deftly layered and brilliantly directed this movie is was in large part my first awakening to how interesting and well-done horror and other dismissed genres can be.
Although this film was considered horror when it came out, now, more than 20 years later, I think you have to look at it as more of a macabre tragic drama, because certainly no one will be scared by it. Many on the IMDb complain that "nothing happens" in the first hour, which I blame on its continuing place in the "horror" genre. Unfortunately, those people are missing all of the character development and thematic content that makes the ending so moving to those who have followed it.
The film is unflinching in its portrayal of female jealousy and sublimated sexual rage. The appearance of Carrie's powers coincides with her first period, i.e. the onset of sexual maturity. The following events are all about sexual attraction and jealousy, following Carrie's emergence as a woman, the dynamics of the other girls at school and their sexual/romantic intrigues, and the White family's bizarre sexual mores. The drama with the girls at school is all about dates and sex and going to the prom. Carrie's sympathetic gym teacher tries to get her to wear makeup and pay more attention to her hair. Meanwhile, Carrie's mother equates her menstruation with acceptance of sin, and later refers to her breasts as "dirty pillows." Once you start to look at it this way, you'll be surprised at the number of incidents and bits of dialogue that relate to this theme, and how carefully focused the entire screenplay is.
Sissy Spacek's performance really is multi-layered and heartbreaking, and gets better the more you get into the film. The early scenes at the prom, when you see her trying her best to get out of her shell, and how scared she is of being hurt, are all the more tragic knowing what is going to happen to her a few minutes later. When she is announced as Prom Queen, you see from the look on her face that she has finally come to believe that she has been accepted and liked. That the image of her walking silently through the burning school still remains so iconic and startlingly creepy is testament to her performance and this film's power.
The other amazing thing is DePalma's direction. The sequence beginning with the announcement of Carrie as Prom Queen is a masterpiece of building tension -- notice the music and editing as the sequence gathers speed, culminating with the spilling of the blood. You will also notice that this entire sequence is dialogue-free. It is so tight, audacious and over-the-top that you have to admire it. I know DePalma later expressed regret over the split screen effect, but I remember how effective it was when I first saw the film -- it left me feeling like so much is happening at once that you couldn't possibly take it all in. It's really overwhelming and distancing at the same time -- as opposed to most horror films that try to bring viewers INTO the terror.
The mere fact that this movie is still around almost 25 years later is a testament to its brilliance. It is much more respected now than when it first came out-- in part I think because the "horror" label worked against it. Look at the horror aspects the way they should be -- as a metaphor-- and you'll start to get into it. The closer you look the better it becomes.
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37 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Can See Your Dirty Pillows!!!, June 16, 2004
Stephen King's first novel that was adapted into film version is quite true to the author's words. While Stephen King was less than pleased with the film version of his malevolent masterpiece, "The Shining", King was quite happy with Brian De Palma's direction and his vision with "Carrie". Sissy Spacek in her debut role as the freakish, shy and telekinetic Carrie White. Sissy beat out Melanie Griffith and Carrie Fisher for the title role that launched her career. The beautiful Piper Laurie is cast as the ravenous religious fanatic, stark-raving, bible beating, madwoman and Carrie's mother, Margaret White who chastises Carrie relentlessly and has a penchant for locking her daughter in the closet with a really creepy, crucified Jesus statue and candles so that Carrie may repent of her evil, sinful and womanly ways. Amy Irving as the well-to-do town doctor's daughter Sue Snell and Amy's real-life mom, Priscilla Pointer as the "cocktails at five socialite", Mrs. Snell. William Katt plays Tommy Ross who asks Carrie to The Bates High School Senior Prom, the butch, Betty Buckley as the ultimate in P.E. teachers from Hell, Miss Collins, Nancy Allen , Brian De Palma's wife as the horribly cruel and self-absorbed, Chris Hargensen, John Travolta as the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, Billy Nolan and P.J. Soles, the "whore" from Halloween as Chris' best friend and partner in crime, Norma Watson. Even a young Edie, (Grace from Ferris Buehler's Day Off and the car rental lady from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles) has a bit part. The real star here, however, is Brian De Palma's direction and the cinematography in "Carrie". The opening shower scene rivals "Psycho", the Senior Prom dance scene makes the viewer dizzy no matter how small a screen you watch it on, the split-screen King and Queen and ensuing bloodfest is masterfully directed and shot along with the dream sequence that was filmed backwards in the end. However, my favorite scene is where Margaret White is crucified a la "creepy Jesus statue" style, by her own daughter! A Top 10 Horror Film In My Book! Happy Watching and Unpleasant Dreams!
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