DePalma offers a synthesis of two of his constant themes, voyeurism and the double, while at the same time weaves in the form of the film the interplay between dream and reality (there is enough basis that the whole story can be construed as a self-empowering dream of the main character in order to overcome his inhibiting claustrophobia). Stylistically it is very accomplished as the silent 20min surveillance sequence shows and the idea of the porno industry mirroring the Hollywood industry is ingenious. Unlike his previous thrillers (Blow Up, Dressed to Kill), the psychology of its characters is rather neglected to foreground its themes and this somehow reduces its resonance. Nevertheless, it may not be top drawer DePalma, but is still one of his most accomplished films and certainly one not for the literal-minded who will find it preposterous.
Should be on the TSPDT 1,000 Noirs list by now, as this one is so much better than many of the fellow neo-noirs that have been added to that list lately.
Brian De Palma's riff on Rear Window, Body Double, is a bizarre experience, and that's a plus in my book. The difference between period Film Noir and Neo Noir is that Hollywood has moved on and what used to be inference can go full smut. So Everyman Craig Wasson is a down-on-his-luck, claustrophobic actor, but more importantly, a peeping Tom who witnesses a murder, but what did he see exactly? The murderer is at times just as inept as he is, so Wasson "with a porn actress as his guide", might just win the day. De Palma uses low-rent Hollywood as a backdrop to good effect, and injects horror movie elements into the piece (I didn't think I'd see the Driller Killer!), and proposes a story that could be a fantasy from top to bottom (that "Relax" video sequence alone...). The conversation the film seems to try to have about equating sex and violence in Hollywood's more exploitative markets is slightly undercooked, but I guess we can draw our own conclusions. A Weirdo Watchlist classic.
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mpouk
DePalma offers a synthesis of two of his constant themes, voyeurism and the double, while at the same time weaves in the form of the film the interplay between dream and reality (there is enough basis that the whole story can be construed as a self-empowering dream of the main character in order to overcome his inhibiting claustrophobia). Stylistically it is very accomplished as the silent 20min surveillance sequence shows and the idea of the porno industry mirroring the Hollywood industry is ingenious. Unlike his previous thrillers (Blow Up, Dressed to Kill), the psychology of its characters is rather neglected to foreground its themes and this somehow reduces its resonance. Nevertheless, it may not be top drawer DePalma, but is still one of his most accomplished films and certainly one not for the literal-minded who will find it preposterous.tbouwh
This movie should be in at least one toplist, I'd say...K.
Rear Window + Vertigo exploitation style.alinephilo
Simply underrated.GruesomeTwosome
Should be on the TSPDT 1,000 Noirs list by now, as this one is so much better than many of the fellow neo-noirs that have been added to that list lately.flaiky
So much ridiculousness.puppetofmasters
Oh Brian DePalma, you audacious motherfucker.When it comes to suspense (and maybe even cinematic storytelling in general), everything Fincher's The Game failed at, this movie does right.
Great fucking hommages to Vertigo and Rear Window also.
Siskoid
Brian De Palma's riff on Rear Window, Body Double, is a bizarre experience, and that's a plus in my book. The difference between period Film Noir and Neo Noir is that Hollywood has moved on and what used to be inference can go full smut. So Everyman Craig Wasson is a down-on-his-luck, claustrophobic actor, but more importantly, a peeping Tom who witnesses a murder, but what did he see exactly? The murderer is at times just as inept as he is, so Wasson "with a porn actress as his guide", might just win the day. De Palma uses low-rent Hollywood as a backdrop to good effect, and injects horror movie elements into the piece (I didn't think I'd see the Driller Killer!), and proposes a story that could be a fantasy from top to bottom (that "Relax" video sequence alone...). The conversation the film seems to try to have about equating sex and violence in Hollywood's more exploitative markets is slightly undercooked, but I guess we can draw our own conclusions. A Weirdo Watchlist classic.Torgo
I think the more of a film buff you become, the more you appreciate a work like this.