A truly harrowing experience.

Rating: 10/10 (6 February 2001)

Upon the first time of watching 'Carrie' I found it to be the most disturbing and upsetting film I had ever seen. In fact, after having watched it on a number of occasions since, I can safely proclaim it as a masterclass of how to manipulate and emotionally ruin your audience. Certainly, this is integrally due to the performance of Sissy Spacek in the title role. Possibly the most memorable role I have ever encountered, it pushes me to tears at each screening. Certainly, a big ambition of mine is to actually meet the actress, just to prove that she isn't as distraught as her character. Sorry if I'm gushing about the movie, but it is the only film that continues to shock me every time I see it - not due to the bloodbath finale, but at the sheer depth of cruelty forced upon 'outsiders' at school. The graffitti proclaiming 'Carrie White eats shit' on the wall of the sports hall, as she looks through the window, still makes me feel sick to the stomach. Perhaps I was a Sue Snell at high school (never instigating the bullying, but still participating), and I do feel that screenings of this film should take place at all schools - the most effective anti-bullying film I've ever seen. So absorbing is Spacek's performance that it's easy not to notice the wealth of talent in the film - Piper Laurie, Nancy Allen, John Travolta and Amy Irving. Certainly not my favourite film of all time (far too uncomfortable to watch) but certainly one of the most intelligent hollywood offerings I've come across in my short life.