Review of Blow-Up (1966) by Tony P — 07 Aug 2016

One of the most infuriating, arty farty films I have ever seen.

Let's begin. Okay it is old (1966) but it has a decent IMDB rating and is listed in the 1001 Movies You Must Watch Before You Die book that I am trying to work through.

On release it was quite controversial for its nudity but it is very tame compared to modern films.

It basically follows a mid sixties fashion photographer (David Hemmings) who for some reason takes photos in a random park and may unwittingly have witnessed a murder. Something he does not realise until the old fashioned photo film is developed.

Hence the title of the movie. He enlarges or blow-up the grainy images to try and get a clearer view of the potential murder.

The film is like an Austin Powers parody of the swinging sixties era in inner city London.

The photographer treats his fashion models appallingly by today's politically correct standards.

The film was actually made by an Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni but feels very British.

Is Hemmings character falsely believing that he witnessed the murder? The film does not provide a satisfactory answer.

I like films to provide a clear answer the ending of this fails miserably.

The cinematography of the period provides the films first positive point.

The appearance of music legend Jeff Beck on a band provides the other.

The trivia of this film is quite disturbing.

We see the photographer Thomas driving around London in an open topped Rolls-Royce that used to belong to Jimmy Saville.

Studio MGM had to release this under another studio name to beat the strict censorship of the time. I can imagine Mary Whitehouse having kittens at some scenes.

The film is too arty for my liking.