Review of Blow Out (1981) by Thomas B — 27 Apr 2018

****.

Brian De Palma certainly knows how to end a movie. In 'Blow Out', the finale in question is endlessly bleak, and hopelessly real. It kind of reminded me of De Palma's very own 'Carlito's Way' - another movie that ends with a chase sequence in a train station and the death of one of its protagonists. It's quite easy to see why viewers may be a little, shall we say, unhappy with the way the film concludes, but I think it works perfectly. It fits with the tone that it's set itself - a condemning look at government intervention and conspiracy. Released in 1981, there's no doubt that De Palma was heavily influenced by the numerous scandals and/or conspiracies of the previous 20 years; whether it be the JFK assassination or the Watergate Scandal. The ending, in all its bleakness, serves as a dour but necessary warning about the corruption of those at the top - and highlights the unfortunate helplessness of the normal individual to do anything about it. From a filmmaking standpoint, it's everything you would expect from De Palma - gorgeous cinematography and exciting direction. I also particularly loved the long sequences of Travolta's character sound mixing and editing together the film. There's just something about seeing the process of filmmaking on screen that appeals to me immensely. Not only that, but it's a constant reminder in the backdrop that what we are indeed watching is a film also; yet Travolta's emotion in the final shot goes to show that, sometimes, they end up resembling real life a little more than you initially would have thought. A very well made, highly entertaining political thriller.