"Take Off That Dress! We'll Burn It Together, and Pray For Forgiveness!"...

Rating: 10/10 (27 August 2018)

Director Brian Depalma did two things extremely well w/ CARRIE. #1- He made a classic horror movie out of Stephen King's classic horror novel. #2- He captured the underlying cruelty toward those considered "different" by the more dominant and predatory of the high school "in crowd", as well as the awkwardness and agony suffered by their victims. Sissy Spacek is so believable as Carrie White, as to actually become her, body and soul. Her ignorance of what others take for granted is palpable. The care and concern toward Carrie from her Gym teacher, Miss Collins (Betty Buckley), almost offsets the viciousness of the mob. Almost. Carrie's mother, Margaret (Piper Laurie) is such a walking parody of all things insanely hyper-religious, that she could have easily played her role for laughs. Instead, she pulls off one of the most iconic horror roles in movie history! This is no small task! As for Carrie's tormentors, led by the relentlessly sadistic Chris Hargensen (Nancy Allen- DRESSED TO KILL, ROBOCOP), they are jackals, looking for any opportunity to use their sharp teeth. Of course, this is a Stephen King story, so, there will be a day -night- of reckoning. Carrie, upon entering puberty, discovers that something else is changing within her. Something she has difficulty controlling. Also, one of Chris' group, Sue Snell (Amy Irving- THE FURY) has the heart to see through her own awfulness, leading to a selfless act. Her boyfriend, Tommy Ross (William Katt) agrees to take Carrie to the prom. Unfortunately, Chris has plans of her own, involving her brainless boyfriend, Billy Nolan (John Travolta). Chris plans on setting Carrie up for the ultimate humiliation. She and her bunch are unaware that this prom will be unforgettable for reasons beyond imagination! The finale of this film is a masterpiece, including the best split-screen action in any movie. The second finale, between Carrie and her mother, nearly equals the fiery prom, the "kitchen crucifixion" scene making an indelible mark. Depalma himself, never hit these heights again. A transcendent film that stays true to its genre...