Carrie (1976): The Horror Film that Requires a Box of Kleenex

Rating: 10/10 (23 June 2017)

Carrie (1976) is a cult classic that inspires many filmmakers to this day (such as Quentin Tarantino). This is also the first film that got me interested in horror movies. What is intriguing about this film, is that it does not play like a classical horror story.
There is a lot of heart to the story of Carrie, with this version especially, thanks to Sissy Spacek's more than well-deserving Oscar nomination for "Best Actress." Thinking about the other actresses considered for Carrie White gives me the same feeling as if Shirley Temple played Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" instead of Judy Garland. Sissy Spacek truly defines the role of Carrie White. She portrayed everything that the audience needed to root for her and sympathize with her; she was extremely sweet when treated with kindness, fearful whenever somebody approached her, and justifiably ANGRY when pushed too far. Carrie (1976) is what told the world that one of Hollywood's greatest actresses existed. Piper Laurie, another unbelievably well- deserved Oscars nominated performance as Carrie's psychotic mother, Margaret. Because of Piper Laurie's extremely frightening performance, the audience loves Carrie even more, feels her frustration and despair, and it's because of her mother that her life is, literally, Hell. Margaret White is an example of a horror movie character that is even scarier than a monster like Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger; and that is because of how real she is.
The supporting cast is also extremely memorable, many in their first major roles, or even debut roles (like John Travolta). Amy Irving as the compassionate Sue Snell, William Katt as her hunky, love-able boyfriend Tommy Ross, Nancy Allen as the purely evil Chris Hargensen, John Travolta as her psychotic and goofy boyfriend, PJ Soles as Chris' malicious bff (the one with the red baseball cap), and of course, Betty Buckley as Carrie's PE teacher, aka "fairy godmother," Miss Collins. The whole supporting cast truly made this movie what it needed to be, the pillars for Carrie, and the shoulder weights for Carrie.
The prom scene, one of the most memorable and jaw-dropping moments in horror (or just) cinema history. I have seen this film approximately 150 times, and each of those times, I really do believe the bucket will miss as I'm watching Carrie having her only Heavenly Cinderella moment. And there's never a time I've watched it and not told her to get off the stage. That is the brilliance of Brian De Palma, and the cast/crew of Carrie (1976). The cinematography (Mario Tosi) brings you right into the film, and the both beautiful and haunting melodies of Pino Donaggio bring joy, fright, and extreme sorrow to this picture.
Overall, Carrie (1976) is such a beautifully disturbing, tragic motion picture that brought a whole new level to the genre of horror. Carrie White is arguably the most loved horror movie "monster" because of Sissy Spacek's surreal portrayal as a broken girl, who wants nothing but a life of happiness that she never gets, even when she gets super, super, SUPER close. This is a movie that deserves to live on and on, especially to show what could happen when you push somebody to the edge; after watching Carrie (1976), you'll never want to pick on another person again.