They're all gonna laugh at you!

Rating: 9/10 (27 May 2000)

"Carrie" (1976), directed by Hitchcock disciple Brian DePalma, and based on the novel by Stephen King, is one of my top ten favorite horror films. The plot centers around Carrie White (played to perfection by Sissy Spacek), a shy, awkward teenager who possesses the powers of telekinesis (the ability to move objects at will), which she unleashes with great fury against her cruel classmates and religious fanatic mother (Piper Laurie, in a wild, wonderful performance) on the night of her Senior Prom. Among the cast of high schoolers are: William Katt and Amy Irving as popular couple Tommy Ross and Sue Snell, who are sympathetic towards Carrie's plight; and John Travolta (during his pre-superstardom days) and Nancy Allen as Billy Nolan and Chris Hargensen, the couple who initiates the cruel Prom Night prank that results in Carrie's wrath and the subsequent bloodbath. The entire movie is a tour-de-force, especially the climactic "crucifixion scene" between Spacek and Laurie (who deservedly earned Oscar nods for their indelible performances). DePalma's use of slow-motion, soft focus lenses and split screen are effective, and Pino Donaggio's musical score is superb. ***SPOILER ALERT*** And that ending! The dream sequence in which sole survivor Amy Irving, looking like a zombie bride, is attacked by a hand from beyond the grave as she attempts to place flowers on Carrie's burial site, started the "it was all a dream" trend in horror films (used again effectively in "Friday The 13th"). My score: 9 out of 10. The only Brian DePalma film that surpasses "Carrie" on his impressive resume is his 1987 non-horror classic "The Untouchables".