Review of Blow Out (1981) by Juan C — 03 Jan 2011

This film is the apex of all things De Palma. All the references are here. The voyeurism of Rear Window runs throughout, the sleaze of the beginning like in Body Double is here and the climax in the subway is akin to The Untouchables. 360 degree shots and split screens are again prevalent. The split screens are interesting as they are used when neither character is the lead for a scene.

The Conversation and Blow Up are obvious inspirations. The conspiracy angle of a campaign is like The Machurian Candidate and modernises the experience. John Lithgow is again the antagonist as he was in Obsession. Zapruder film. Grassy knoll. Reveal of the shooter in this film. The murders are brutal if restrained due to the rating system. Lithgow is equally the voyeur with Traolta.

Blow Out is more erotic than anticipated. Smutty films, prostitutes, setups and adult shows are all central to the story. The inside look at the film industry is done so well. This actually becomes the emphasis of the film over the conspiracy aspects which is the biggest surprise. The search for the perfect scream trumps the revelation of the assassination. Another ambiguous ending. Has he lost proof or just given up?

One particularly memorable set piece is when John Travolta crashes and the hanging dummy is sprawled across his car. Also, the unexplained sound is revealed at the end of the film to be John Lithgow's garrotte.