Body Double ---------> (8/10)

[Cyclonus]

Body Double (1984)

Director: Brian DePalma

Cast: Craig Wasson, Melanie Griffith, Gregg Henry, Deborah Shelton

Screenwriters: Robert J. Avrech, Brian DePalma

Producer: Brian DePalma

A Columbia Pictures release


http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0767818040.01.MZZZZZZZ.gif


I admit when I rented this movie, I did so just to get some cheap thrills. I was aware of the negative reviews from uptight critics who dismissed it as sleaze, and to be honest, that's what I was in the mood for. Besides, my curiosity was aroused. (No cheap jokes, please!)

To my surprise, this is actually a compelling, well-crafted thriller. Let me take it a step further. It's an improvement over DePalma's effective but overpraised Dressed to Kill. Body Double is actually better-constructed and better-paced. Perhaps the extremes of the film's content turned off some members of the critical community. And keep in mind that many of these people loved Dressed.

However, if you can stomach some of the content (it would certainly warrant an NC-17 in today's climate), there's much to like here. DePalma's approach might be manipulative, but when he does so this effectively, it's hard to complain. Technically, it's a marvel of film technique. Wasson's claustrophobic attacks are effectively conveyed to the viewer. When they hit him, they hit us just as hard. The very ending, which I wouldn't dream of giving away, is a work of pure genius. The infamous drill murder is a terrific setpiece.

One aspect that interested me was its attitude towards porno. So-called "dirty movies" are not condemned, but treated as simply being another side of the film industry. It's not considered right or wrong; it's just there. Such a nonjudgmental outlook is refreshing after hearing the tiresome rants of self-appointed "moral watchdogs." Likewise, there is a loving tribute to B-movies during the opening and closing credits.

Body Double isn't good art by any means, but it's good trash. Watch it, and you will behold DePalma at his sleazy best. He makes no apologies for what he does, nor would we want him to do so.

8/10.

[Hans, wihout Franz]

I've been a long supporter of De palma's for a long time and this one I think is awsome. Sleazy, but compelling and cool. DePalma doesn't make 'em like this anymore.

[Jason Lives]

I just saw this movie for the first time about a week ago and it was really great. When I rented it I just wanted sleazy fun and Melanie Griffith naked but I got a lot more than that. De Palma did a really good job with this and so did Craig Wasson

8/10 For the ingenious plot and good direction

[Pumpkinhead]

I watched this about a week ago, and I don't know...I thought the first hour or so was tight and suspenseful, but then after that, it kind of fell apart in my eyes. Personally, I thought that the ending was moronic (the very ending, that is) and added no sense of closure at all. Another complaint I have is the fact that as the film progressed, it became more and more far fetched. And please don't say "it's just a movie, it doesn't have to make sense", I hate that. If everyone went by that philosophy then movies could have as many loose ends and idiotic plot twists as they pleased. I mean, I'm willing to suspend my disbelief, but, why would the killer go to all that trouble. I know why, I just found it kind of hard to swallow. Anyway, I can certainly understand the appeal, but something about the last half hour or so just rubbed me the wrong way.

[Mr. Movie Man]

Just caught it on TV last night. Craig Wasson's character was not good at all with trying to spy on and follow people because he was so noticable. In reality, his character would get caught so quickly. Creepy movie though, and i loved the discusting ending. I still think Wasson should have a cameo in FvsJ.

[The Professional]

Take a piece from vertigo, rear window, toss in a little argento seasoning, boil on low for 2 hours, and what do you get? this well crafted but problematic thriller by de palma. i think its central problem lies in the structure. for an hour it keeps a steady pace, but after the major sequence in the film has elapsed(the murder), it has trouble picking up momentum again. i felt the same way with de palmas Dressed to Kill. Also, the way in which the "twist" ending is presented is quite sloppy, packing it into an expositional monologue by Wassons character. Other elements, such as the cheesy visual manifestation(movie set) of wasson's character trying to overcome his clausterphobia, add to inhibiting the overall effect of the movie. mainly, its the lack of set pieces that de palma usually does so well at(even though the murder sequence, the porn film, and the minor "chase" near the conculsion were masterfully done). Then again, its significantly better than De Palma's subsequent thrillers.

7/10(on a de palma fan level)

taste reference:
Sisters:(8/10), Obsession(5/10), Carrie(7/10), Dressed to Kill(8/10), Blow Out(9/10)

[XCoRyX]

Just watched this one last night...I mostly was curious just because I am a huge fan of the underrated Craig Wasson,but later found myself loving the movie.

The main title theme by Pino Donaggio is fantastic! And the look of the Indian,including many of the visuals done on him are insanely eery to me at times.

I must admit though, I still am pretty lost/confused with the ending...anybody want to help a fellow schmoe out and clear up what exactly it meant?It could've meant various different things...

Very solid and intriguing,puzzle of a movie.

7.5/10

[teenkiller]

I take it you saw this one on Fearnet. I tried to watch it a couple of nights ago but I have bad experiences with Fearnet. The movie pauses every three seconds and I constantly have to wait for it to load. Sucks for me cause I have really been looking forward to this one. Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[XCoRyX]

Yeah thats where I watched it TK...I have a gut feeling it was cut a bit though,too. I'm definetly buying the DVD when I can ASAP.

[yorrick brown]

i just saw graig wasson in nightmare on elm 3 and was wondering whatever happened to him.

funny enough elm street is another movie where he nearly gets buried alive lol.


oh yeah this is a kick ass movie.

[Henry Lee Lucas]

I love this movie!
I was drawn to De Palma by Dressed to Kill, which got me to see Sisters, Body Double, Fury, all of them. Looking back Dressed to Kill was bad, so was Fury, but Body Double and especially Sisters are prime examples of good De Palma flicks.

I love the Giallo feel of the movie, specifically in the beach scene. Very campy, sleazy, good fun.

Sisters is way better though.

[Cronos]

I've seen this a few times now and I like it a little more with each watch, the direction is just fantastic, the film looks great from start to finish. The acting is the only aspect of it that's ever really bothered me, it's just not always that convincing.

The score is also fantastic from what I remember.

8/10

[XCoRyX]

Cronos- maybe you can help a schmoe out with the ending. Call me crazy but I have gathered a few possibilities as to what it meant...just looking to see if it was intended that way or if I missed something?

[Henry Lee Lucas]

Cronos- maybe you can help a schmoe out with the ending. Call me crazy but I have gathered a few possibilities as to what it meant...just looking to see if it was intended that way or if I missed something?

if you think it was all a dream, youre wrong.

I dont know how people are drawing this conclusion, but a few of my friends got that too. Hes struggling to save the bitch right? then he falls into the gravepit and since hes clausterphobic, starts freakin out. he then all of a sudden feels like hes back in the coffin at the studio working on the movie, this is it, this is his final chance to prove himself and save the girl and overcome his fear, and he does it.

i love the ending credits, i wish i couldve seen de palma come up with that idea, fuck around with the audience.

[XCoRyX]

Thats one the main concepts I thought might've been the answer,actually... I was stumped a bit but in a very good way.

So, everything really happened i'm assuming?

[Henry Lee Lucas]

I like to think so, but it is entirely up to the viewer.