Despite the gratuitous female nudity, this was a fantastic movie. Contrary to others, I thought Nancy Allen's performance as a nervy, ditsy redhead was spot on. She wasn't supposed to be a sexy love interest to John Travolta's role and I think she walked that line beautifully. One scene in particular stands out for its inventive and effectiveness of evoking emotion: the whirlwind scene in the sound room. Magnificent! And that ending! Tears rolled down my cheeks as I shouted, "Wake her up!"
I kept thinking, that with a more interesting female lead, this movie would be truly superb instead of just very good. Nancy Allen is naive, but too bland. It should be someone naive but at the same time sexy and alluring enough too highlight Travolta's romantic interest in her. She would also be well served with a drop of innocence despite her profession, something like Patricia Arquette's work in True Romance. Maybe they went for that angle, but Nancy Allen didn't quite pull it off.
So at some point was Brian De Palma planning to make movies about every unsung job in the movie business? Body Double is one, but three years earlier, he put Carrie alumni John Travolta and Nancy Allen in Blow Out, which also starts and ends with a horror B-movie (and what a terrific ending it is too). De Palma seems to revel in doing schlock, then repurposing it for a more serious film. In this case, Travolta plays a sound man who inadvertently records a car accident/assassination involving a presidential candidate. From there, we take the thriller route as capital-T They try to cover up just what happened. The film plays with sound quite well, since it's such a concern for the lead, and that's not to say it's not a very good-looking Neo-Noir film as well. John Lithgow appears as a terrifyingly practical assassin. They do say you should write what you know, and De Palma certainly knows film-making. It's that nitty-gritty that makes these films so interesting.
Great movie! I agree with the opinion this could have been a superb movie and it's not. The problem it's not Nancy Allen, but the cliche stupid blond character she plays. Totally unrealistic reactions. Travolta character has also a part in it.
A very potent blend of Antonioni's Blow-Up, Coppola's The Conversation, a little Hitchcock flavor, and a heavy dosage of vintage De Palma mastery. It would appear from a distance to be quite derivative, but it manages to be completely brilliant and original in its own right. A masterpiece.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 15 of 17
Limbesdautomne
Excellent film until De Palma honors Samuel Fuller's way of making films.Read more in French on La Saveur des goûts amers.
Skyscore
http://www.afisha.ru/movie/170298/review/146599/ClassicLady
Despite the gratuitous female nudity, this was a fantastic movie. Contrary to others, I thought Nancy Allen's performance as a nervy, ditsy redhead was spot on. She wasn't supposed to be a sexy love interest to John Travolta's role and I think she walked that line beautifully. One scene in particular stands out for its inventive and effectiveness of evoking emotion: the whirlwind scene in the sound room. Magnificent! And that ending! Tears rolled down my cheeks as I shouted, "Wake her up!"ViniciusOG
One of Tarantino's top 3.Zeltaebar
I kept thinking, that with a more interesting female lead, this movie would be truly superb instead of just very good. Nancy Allen is naive, but too bland. It should be someone naive but at the same time sexy and alluring enough too highlight Travolta's romantic interest in her. She would also be well served with a drop of innocence despite her profession, something like Patricia Arquette's work in True Romance. Maybe they went for that angle, but Nancy Allen didn't quite pull it off.dubiskubidu
...impressive movie.george4mon
love the ending.Siskoid
So at some point was Brian De Palma planning to make movies about every unsung job in the movie business? Body Double is one, but three years earlier, he put Carrie alumni John Travolta and Nancy Allen in Blow Out, which also starts and ends with a horror B-movie (and what a terrific ending it is too). De Palma seems to revel in doing schlock, then repurposing it for a more serious film. In this case, Travolta plays a sound man who inadvertently records a car accident/assassination involving a presidential candidate. From there, we take the thriller route as capital-T They try to cover up just what happened. The film plays with sound quite well, since it's such a concern for the lead, and that's not to say it's not a very good-looking Neo-Noir film as well. John Lithgow appears as a terrifyingly practical assassin. They do say you should write what you know, and De Palma certainly knows film-making. It's that nitty-gritty that makes these films so interesting.dianeorbetty
A must see for the film buff. Palma at his best, and I've seen most of his work. Those suspense scenes, and of course, that ending.nothere413
Like it's already been said before me, Nancy Allen was probably one of the weak points of this movie. Still thought it was really good, though.Paulorsadv
The final sequence is pure genius.Tyree
Travolta is very effective. Great cinematography as well.FrankHowley
Awesome.Dieguito
Great movie! I agree with the opinion this could have been a superb movie and it's not. The problem it's not Nancy Allen, but the cliche stupid blond character she plays. Totally unrealistic reactions. Travolta character has also a part in it.Wise Jake
A very potent blend of Antonioni's Blow-Up, Coppola's The Conversation, a little Hitchcock flavor, and a heavy dosage of vintage De Palma mastery. It would appear from a distance to be quite derivative, but it manages to be completely brilliant and original in its own right. A masterpiece.Showing items 1 – 15 of 17