Stephen King, at an earlier time...

Rating: 7/10 (24 November 2006)

Just after "Salem's Lot" and before "The Shining". King himself has commented that he wrote this while living in a trailer, living on an high school English teachers salary, and drinking (quite a bit) to forget about the state of his life at the time.
Interjected in the story is the sardonic humor which all of us can remember certain people, places and "catastrophes" from high school. Carrie White (Spacek is perfect) embodies all the innocence and nerdy persona every freshman girl in high school hopes to not have. John Travolta and Nancy Allen, Amy Irving as the popular crowd. Also William Katt, who takes Carrie to the prom as part of the sadistic scheme.
Comparing this to what happens in high schools today, this is now mild. Normally the theme of telekinesis would seem silly, but King paired with DePalma presents a viable story; the surreal insanity of high school, how everything is magnified to the point of hysteria. Betty Buckley in an early role as high school gym teacher.
There is cutting edge humor here, which King often includes in his books. The principal, who is supposed to help Carrie, but is secretly repelled by her. Of course the standout performance is Piper Laurie, as Carrie's mother. Who wouldn't need some form of insanity to survive her psychological outlook on life?.
While today a bit dated, this film still stands as one of King's earlier, and better films. His earlier stories, even the short stories, are well worth reading. "Apt Pupil" (1998) (with Ian McKellen and Brad Renfro) is also worth checking out if you are a King fan.