A genuine horror classic

Rating: 8/10 (26 January 2009)

Brian de Palma's "Carrie" is based on Stephen King's debut novel of the same name. Today the film is recognized as a horror classic while Mr. King hasn't done too bad for himself either.
The title character is a high-school outcast with a religious fanatic for a mother. She is routinely victimized by her peers but her developing telekinetic powers threaten to make her tormentors pay for the distress they've caused.
The cast, composed mostly of unknowns, was well-assembled. Sissy Spacek is excellent in the title role and Piper Laurie showed no signs of having just returned from a 15-year hiatus. Both actresses received Oscar nominations for their efforts.
Another strong point of the film is the visual aspect. It's clear that de Palma put a lot of thought into the film's look. While he sometimes goes overboard it cannot be denied that there are numerous striking images throughout the film. The musical aspect is also well-handled with Pino Donaggio's score sometimes recalling the work of Bernard Hermann while at other times imparting a dream-like quality.
I would not hesitate to rank "Carrie" among the best horror films of all time, alongside the likes of "The Shining" & "The Exorcist". Even if you're not much of a horror fan I still recommend the film on the basis of the often memorable visuals.