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#31dayzofking kicks off with the first adaptation of Stephen King’s work, Brian DePalma’s Carrie. An absolute classic, I love how the film takes its time setting up all the pieces before obliterating them all in the last 20 minutes.
It’s heartbreaking to watch Carrie enjoying herself with Tommy at the prom knowing what’s just around the corner. DePalma (& King) give her a momentary sense of belonging & normalcy before tragedy strikes & takes it all away.
I always find I’m so caught up in the prom I forget about the final confrontation with her mother when Piper Laurie as Mrs White literally stabs her daughter in the back. Laurie is otherworldly in this film, vibrating with a righteous fervour & that weird beatific smile plastered across her face, even when trying to kill her own daughter.
The whole cast is fantastic - Sissy Spacek is endearing. Nancy Allen & Travolta play great nasty fuckers. Amy Irving & William Katt are likeable as the couple trying to show Carrie a nice time at the prom.
DePalma is the star though, his camera floating dreamily through the girls locker rooms (pervy as it is) or spinning deliriously around Carrie & Tommy on the dance floor. And the naturalism of ‘70s high school life (pig murdering & telekinesis excepted) build a nice calm before the literal firestorm at the end.
5 blonde curly Katt mullets out of 5.
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