Blow Out

This one sits with you. And the more you think about "Blow Out", the more fascinating it gets. Not as flashy or sleazy as De Palma's films before and after this, I can understand why it got overlooked initially. But I'm glad I finally checked it out because, while the screenplay is very good in how it infuses the story with paranoia, the real star is the editing and camerawork (+ the sound design)! Travolta is amazing, you can interpret a lot of stuff into this film, not much more that I can say what others haven't already said. It's very moody, and very good.

After watching the De Palma (2016) doc, I decided to give this classic a try. You can definitely see why it is well-liked by film critics and aficionados -- the movie has style to burn, good intensity, an interesting narrative, and an outstanding performance from Travolta. I don't know how much time Travolta spent to learn how to "be" a sound design guy, but he looked totally at ease with the craft, and you get a lot of it, as it is essential to the movie. He is also charming, with charisma to burn. Why only a 6? Well, the ending was more than a bit ridiculous (even accounting for the fact it is pulp story, e.g., Travolta's car chase, crash, and recovery is implausible in about a half dozen different ways;) and some of the other acting performances were a bit too campy for my taste (e.g., the great Dennis Franz was too goofy for my taste; Nancy Allen was fine but didn't seem to totally inhabit her role as a ditzy prostitute w a good heart). But an interesting movie that zips along and is filled with interesting shots and great sound design, so definitely worth a rental at least.

Un film assez déséquilibré qui commence par un complot, se développe à la manière d’un thriller, puis s’arrête sans crier gare, le complot ne servant que de prétexte à une succession de meurtres menés sinistrement par l’inquiétant John Lithgow, psychopathe débutant ici. Travolta est plutôt bon et d’une sobriété remarquable, tentant de laisser derrière lui les affres de la pathétique fièvre du samedi soir, surtout qu’il bénéficie dans la VF de la voix de notre Gégé national, excusez du peu ! Nancy pour sa part est toujours aussi mignonne, ce qui ne gâte rien. La musique criarde et larmoyante est par contre détestable tandis que De Palma délivre une mise en scène un brin maniérée dont il a le secret et qu’il lui faudra raffiner encore bien des années. Le film reste bien mené mais l’impression globale n’est pas forcément agréable, car ‘Blow out’ est construit à dire vrai exclusivement sur et en vue de son dénouement tout à fait… discutable.

This pokes fun at trashy, violent flicks while simultaneously being one. The narrative connections to the Ted Kennedy - **** incident and Antonioni's Blow Up add something.

How this movie got good ratings is beyond me. Very mediocre and poor acting. Not worth the rent or watch. Don’t believe the hype. Trust me!