Carrie (1976)

• Year: 1976
• Released: 16 Nov 1976
• Country: United States
• Adwords: Nominated for 2 Oscars. 3 wins & 8 nominations total
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074285/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Carrie
• Metacritics: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/carrie
• Available in: 720p, 1080p,
• Language: English
• MPA Rating: R
• Genre: Horror, Mystery
• Runtime: 98 min
• Writer: Stephen King, Lawrence D. Cohen
• Director: Brian De Palma
• Cast: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving
• Keywords: based on novel or book, revenge, teacher, school, religion,

	7.4/10
	85/100
	50% – Critics
	44% – Audience

Carrie Storyline

It’s nearing the end of the school year. High school senior Carrie White is a social outcast, largely due to being unwise to the ways of the world based on her upbringing. Her mother, Margaret White, is a religious fanatic, her extreme views primarily targeted against sex, which she believes is a sin. She even believes natural associated processes such as menstruation are a sin, about which she has refused to mention to Carrie. Mrs. White’s beliefs were taken to that extreme largely because of her own failed marriage and her husband Ralph long ago having run off with another woman. The only adult authority figure who tries to help Carrie with her life is her phys ed teacher, Miss Collins, who is nonetheless warned not to get too close to go against how Mrs. White chooses to raise Carrie, Mrs. White whose beliefs are well known in the community. An impromptu event that happens among Carrie’s phys ed classmates against her leads to her classmates being punished. One of those students, self absorbed Chris Hargensen, vows revenge against Carrie for that punishment, the method of the revenge associated to the phys ed class incident. Another student however, the popular Sue Snell, begins to feel sorry for Carrie. In wanting to help her get out of her shell, Sue asks her boyfriend, the equally popular Tommy Ross, to take Carrie to the senior prom instead of her. This move does not sit well with Mrs. White, who in her extreme view believes Carrie will fall prey to sin. All these competing issues lead to Carrie deciding on an impulse to use a newfound skill to free herself from the figurative chains that have long been placed around her, with tragic consequences.

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Carrie Movie Reviews

Sissy Spacek perfect

Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) is an introverted isolated girl. She gets picked on by all the other girls. Her mother (Piper Laurie) is a crazy religious type who locks Carrie in the closet. Lead girl Sue Snell (Amy Irving) tries to make amends by getting her hunky boyfriend Tommy Ross (William Katt) to take Carrie to the senior prom. Chris Hargensen (Nancy Allen) refuses to take the punishment and is banned from the prom. Chris plans revenge on Carrie with the help of her boyfriend Billy Nolan (John Travolta). The plan triggers Carrie’s supernatural powers.

Director Brian De Palma makes this Stephen King story into a prom epic. The scene is iconic. However this movie is more than just one scene. This is about the great Sissy Spacek. She is absolutely perfect as the shy insecure Carrie. This is about her character. This is about the awkward years. This is a horror, a thriller and so much more.

Not a particularly deep story, but executed very, very well

I cannot compare this movie to the Stephen King novel, since I haven’t read it. So keep this in mind when you read my review.

Carrie is a very socially awkward teenager who was made this way my an insanely religious and deeply disturbed mother. While students laughed at her, they didn’t realize how hellish her existence was at home. Sadly, when Carrie does open up to those around her and finally tries to fit in, the kids at her school proved at the prom that they were truly evil and deserved to die…and then they did! The film is very well done and I think much of the credit is due to Sissy Spacek for her incredibly gutsy performance. Not only did she do some incredibly rough nude scenes, show a wide range of feeling but also put herself out incredibly far in order to get the best performance (read the trivia section carefully to see what I mean). The film succeeded more for her performance than the other supporting ones–as it’s a lot easier to play a jerk than to play the full range of Carrie’s emotions.

As far as the direction by Brian De Palma goes, I must point out that I am NOT a fan of his style. De Palma NEVER leaves anything to the imagination and seems to usually believe that more is best (see SCARFACE). I would have preferred a few moments had been played more subtly and the film been less crude (for a 70s film, this movie had amazingly rough language). But, on the other hand, there was a lot of very creative camera-work and the ending (done in slow-motion much of the time) worked very well.

Overall, it’s an exceptional film but too bad there’s so much nudity and foul language–as it was intended as a teen film. I do think that it’s okay for most teens to see it, but parents should beware that the film does cross the line from time to time–making it a better choice for adults even though the message is one most kids should see.

By the way, the statue in the closet is Saint Sebastian who was supposedly martyred with arrows. In a neat but not particularly subtle moment, this is recreated at the end of the film. Also, if you haven’t noticed, Carrie and her mother are VERY similar to Waterboy and his mother…think about it.

A genuinely scary movie, but also one with heart

One of Brian DePalma’s better movies, in fact scratch that it is probably the best film of DePalma’s career, Carrie is a classic of its genre. I also think it is an example of the film being better than source material. The book, written by Stephen King, is good, the film is a classic.

Carrie does have some genuine scary jolts and unsettling moments, such as the crucifixion which is thrilling and unforgettable and the ending which still shocks me. But it also has heart, as there are some poignant scenes, especially as Sissy Spacek’s performance is so heart-breakingly good. Piper Laurie is also brilliant, and it was quite nice to see John Travolta too.

DePalma’s direction is taut, the script is tense and lyrical and the story despite being much copied never loses its impact or focus. Stylistically and visually, Carrie is a triumph too; I loved the cinematography and the scenery and the lighting just added to the atmosphere which was consistently amazing.

So all in all, truly excellent movie. While it is scary and shocking, it also manages to have an edge of poignancy and humanity too. 10/10 Bethany Cox