Hell Hath No Fury Like an Innocent Teenage Girl!

Rating: 9/10 (7 November 2009)

The work of Stephen King has brought to cinema with various adaptations, including some very great ones. Brian De Palma's "Carrie" of 1976 is the first adaptation ever made of a King novel, and it is doubtlessly also one of the greatest. The pairing of Stephen King and Brian De Palma truly has outstanding results as De Palma perfectly understands how to turn the creepiness of King's novel into a spine-chilling, thrilling and even very moving film. This disturbing, very creepy and in some parts genuinely terrifying film is a true classic of 70s cinema that is not only a must-see for my fellow Horror fans, but that no lover of film should consider missing.
***SPOILERS!*** The eponymous Carrie (Sissy Spacek) is a disturbed teenage girl, and outsider with certain telekinetic powers. She suffers both from her religious fanatic mother (brilliantly portrayed by Piper Laurie), who regards her powers as the work of the devil, and the malice of her schoolmates who constantly bully her. One day she is pushed too far... This film deserves great praise for many of its aspects, starting with the performances: Sissy Spacek is phenomenal in the eponymous lead. There are few other characters in Horror films that we will feel as much sympathy and compassion for as it is the case with Carrie. Carrie transforms from a disturbed, bullied victim to a stunning innocent beauty and, then, to the terrifying wrath unleashed upon her victimizers. Spacek is brilliant in all facets of the role, her performance simply cannot be praised enough. Great praise also goes to Piper Laurie who is truly diabolical as the devil-fearing, ultra-religious mother. Memorable supporting performances include the cute young P.J. Soles, who plays the girl who wants to help Carrie, Nancy Allen as a truly malignant bitch, and Betty Buckley as the PE teacher. John Travolta can be seen in an early role. In typical De Palma fashion, the cinematography is brilliantly done. De Palma's direction has to be applauded both for the film's visual greatness and the great manner in which suspense is built up in this film. Though the mood of the film changes on several occasions, Carrie is a consistently highly intense film, that constantly builds up increasing tension. The film is intense on many levels: it is disturbing, moving, extremely creepy and suspenseful, unsettling and the finale is truly terrifying. Brian De Palma has earned his reputation as a master of cinema with several great films including "Scarface" (1983), "The Untouchables" (1987) and "Carlito's Way" (1993); if I had to choose, however, I would personally still name "Carrie" my favorite De Palma film. Along with Kubrick's "The Shining" (1980) and maybe Cronenberg's "The Dead Zone" (1983), "Carrie" is one of the truly great Stephen King adaptations, and an unforgettable film that must be seen by every Horror fan. A masterpiece!