Carrie [1976]
Directed by: Brian De Palma
After my initial review of the film I realized that I had the opportunity to further discuss and analyze this film from my standpoint. So, let's look at Carrie 1976.
Carrie is like and unlike many teenagers. She has the same problems that most of us have/haven't experienced. Take into consideration her abusive bible belt carrying mother, her peers who create a toxic environment on school grounds, and the sudden realization she just got her period. It's a very sensitive rite of passage in life. One that is shrouded with mystery for those like Carrie who were not given the "talk." Scared she hopes that someone will help her but the only one who does is Miss Collins. Who descends onto her like a soft and tranquil spirit. Notice how the lighting projects her to be so. While, the girls in her gym class use this delicate moment to further humiliate her. This is the stage that is painted for us the viewers as the film begins.
There is some remorse among the students. Sue, decides to make things right and alter Carrie's destiny for the time being. She hopes to bring her a sense of normalcy. She asks her beau to take Carrie to the prom instead of her. At first he's apprehensive. Then later decides to go along with her plan. There is no malice and there is genuine remorse from Sue and possibly even from Tommy.
All the while behind the scenes is Carrie suddenly realizing she has a gift. A new slew of occurrences begin to manifest in Carrie. She starts to notice that pressure gives birth to her telekinesis. This of course, will prove handy down the round.
On the other side of our story we have the plotters and that's Chris and her gang of goons. For some unknown reason she just can't stand the sight of Carrie and feels no remorse for her cruelty. Instead she schemes to ultimately hamulate her. What that plan is we eventually find out.
So, the stage is set. We have the key characters in play. It's at this turning point in the story that we get an idea of the frame in perspective. What their path's look like on the other side we eventually find out. You can't help but feel empathy towards Carrie. A misunderstood teenager who is awkward. Who like us has very real problems. I liked Sissy's delicate portrayal of her. She was soft spoken and easily missed. Her character radiated delicacy at least until the turning point which you all are aware by now.
So, let's fast forward to the fateful night...PROM! Prom night, a night to remember. At least that was what my school's prom theme was.
This is a night to remember. The decorations, the music, the dresses, shoes, tuxedos, food, and atmosphere is something that is a transition in our high school calendars. It also marks an important turning point in Carrie's story. The lighting paints the picture of fragility and softness to echo the innocence that Carrie has. She can't help but feel something is about to go wrong but can you blame her? This is the perfect ground and time for her to suffer yet again another attack from the jerks of this story. Yet, she maintains her happiness in enjoying this moment. This moment pictured above where she let's down her wall to the world around her. The wall she built to protect her from the world that ridicules her, the abuse of her mother, and the ever judging eyes around her. She's happy when she is named Queen but still she suspects. As she should because as the viewers we see what is going on. We see what awaits Carrie in just a few moments away. A cruel plot is underway and this is where everything that could go wrong just goes wrong.
Sue, arrives and notices the scheme that is afoot but is too late to stop it. It is too late. It's too late to look back to appeal to reason or to bring Carrie back from the future that has come forward. She loses control and her rage will not be silenced anymore.
If you notice her stories two major turning points and pillars to set up her tale are set with blood. Her first period helps her suddenly realize her telekinesis is there. Through that moment we also realize that pressure or extreme amounts of stress edge her powers to an uncontrollable point.
Now, at the prom she is ultimately humiliated. Unlike before, this is in front of her whole student body, The dress she just spent time to make is destroyed. Her one moment at normalcy is ripped away rather cruelly from an egotistical peer who just can't stand to see her happy, and everyone is laughing at her. Confirming the words her mother uttered to her before she left with Tommy for the prom. Her words echo continuously and blind her to the reality that not everyone is laughing at her. There is no turning back from this story. Rather simultaneously Carrie unleashes her wrath that has manifested. She makes them all pay. Before the student's the once soft spoken and mild mannered Carrie is shattered. Rising from the rumble of her former self is the new Carrie. She isn't going to let anyone laugh or ridicule her anymore. She makes them all pay and no one, I mean no one is safe or spared. Everyone must pay!
The scene where she walks off the stage is poetic. She comes forth like a phoenix from the ashes of her former self. Strong, poised, and a powerful presence is born. It's unmistakable how powerful central this scene is. The lighting changes and the music aides to the atmosphere. She doesn't buckle down until she goes home to recover from the turbulent night.
Waiting in the shadows is her mother. A mother, the first warmth we know. The soft ethereal light she has still hasn't been lost but it can't hide the cruelty that dwells inside. She's determined to fix her mistake as she puts it and is determined to kill Carrie. Carrie shocked after the traumatic event that just unfolded can't fathom this possibility. She slips into a fight or flight mode and fends off her mother. In the moment, she is determined to survive.
Completely devastated and feeling completely alone her cries drown out the sorrows she feels into the night. Now, the whole house is torn apart with only the lifeless body of her mother to keep her company as her house reduces to a pile of rubble. So ends the story of Carrie White. A tragedy in the making or is it...
This film is beautifully done. It carries a lot of themes that after a few watches I picked up. I really like the character of Carrie. I love the theme of strength she finds in herself. In a way, she finds herself through tragedy. This one magical event where everything was supposed to go right was going to be a major turning point into her life going forward. She finally stood up to her mother. She finally found her voice unfortunately it was drowned out by Chris and her group of goons. However, Carrie got the last laugh in this story. After years and years of abuse she finally gained the strength within to harness her telekinesis and personal strength. She stood up for herself unfortunately the rage of abuse blinded her to the innocent people who were just caught in the crossfire.
I loved the subtle attention to detail. The cinematography was excellent. The story was rich in detail and character. It left no stone unturned in my opinion. I didn't read the book so I'm not sure how close to the story it truly is. It's definitely worth the watch and it's open to interpretation.
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