© FAKESHEMP.NET
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Podcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Good Movie Monday
    • WTF was that?
  • MEDIA
    • Videos >
      • Photos
  • GLG
  • Blog
  • Interviews
  • About

BODY DOUBLE

9/7/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
1984 / Director. Brian De Palma.
Review by Justine Ryan. 

Struggling L.A actor Jake Scully (Craig Wasson) is asked to house sit by fellow actor Sam Bouchard (Greg Henry) while he is away. Upon his first night’s stay Jake is introduced to his sensuous neighbour, Gloria Revelle (Deborah Shelton), whom he watches perform sexy stripteases through a telescope each night. 
He soon becomes infatuated with her, following her around Rodeo Drive (in a stunning sequence), and soon meeting her only to discover that she is also being followed by a mysterious Indian before her death occurs. 

BODY DOUBLE is finely tuned murder mystery, part erotic thriller and part slasher with many humorous moments peppered in there. Director Brian De Palma got a lot of flack when the film was released. Critics always seemed to accuse him of being misogynistic, which I personally disagree with. The way De Palma captures women in some of his films shows the range of their abilities from strength to vulnerability, which he does sensitively.

Melanie Griffith gives a charming and memorable performance as porno actress Holly Body, who helps Jake solve the murder and identity of the killer. This is easily my favourite role of hers. BODY DOUBLE is layered with plot twists and suspense, keeping the viewer on their toes. The best cinema is like a good seduction and De Palma knows (especially in his earlier films) how to invite us in and keep us there until the climax, making us voyeurs like Jake in a sense.

Another element that perfectly complements the film and one of the most memorable at least for me about the film, is the score by Pino Donaggio and conducted by Natale Massara (CARRIE, PIRANHA, DRESSED TO KILL, THE HOWLING, THE FAN, BLOW OUT, MERIDIAN, PASSION and more recently PATRICK). I have a huge unabashed love for Pino and in my opinion he is brilliant at conveying so many emotions in his various pieces of music.

The film was misunderstood by critics in its initial release but has since gained a cult following. A bare bones region 4 DVD was released a few years ago the film has since had a limited region 1 Blu Ray release in 2013, which is expensive in it’s price but fans don’t have to fear as last week Umbrella Entertainment released it on Blu Ray with the delicious featureless from the region 1 DVD from 2006 carried over.



0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    OUR WRITERS
    GLENN COCHRANE
    JARRET GAHAN
    SHAUN CRAWFORD
    ALEX MAYNARD
    CHRIS THOMPSON​
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010
    April 2010

    RSS Feed

© 2018 FakeShemp.Net    All rights reserved.  FakeShemp.Net Illustrations by MJ Barros. 
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Podcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Good Movie Monday
    • WTF was that?
  • MEDIA
    • Videos >
      • Photos
  • GLG
  • Blog
  • Interviews
  • About