Review of Body Double (1984) by Del T — 13 May 2010

An underrated campy gem. A year after blowing away the movie world with his epic, Scarface, Brian De Palma goes back to his favorite movie subject : audaciously ripe, sexed up, Hitchcock thriller / homage mish mash. In this case, a funny, suspenseful, porno version of Vertigo and Rear Window.

If you're familiar with those movies, you'll recognize loads of Hitchcockian shots, images and plot points If not, you'll still be entertained by the movie overheated exuberance, and fantastic visuals ( ie De Palma's trademark long, intricately choreographed tracking shots ).

Craig Wasson, plays a claustrophobic, washed up exploitation actor, duped into spying on, and falling in love with, sexy neighbor, Deborah Shelton, who does her nightly diamond masturbation dance. And we're invited in on the voyeuristic action, highlighted by the mesmerizing and lulling music by Pino Donoggio. The music during this scene is so soothing, so relaxing, and so sexual, I have it on my I Phone.

Things soon turn nasty. In the film's scariest moments, crazy telephone lineman robber, breaks in to steal her diamonds, and brutally murders Shelton with an enormous, ( read phallic ) power drill.

Peeping Tom, Wasson is sole witness, and when cops' leads go dry, he takes upon himself to find the killer. A chance commercial ad, leads him to go undercover in the porno industry, meeting the delightful Melanie Griffith, in her funniest, sexiest , and most charming performance, as porn star Holly Body.

They end up starring in bizarre music porn video starring Frankie goes to Hollywood belting out their 80's hit " Relax".

De Palma's sheer delight and relish as he stages such outlandish, self referential scenes like this, rubs off on the audience. You get caught up in the vibe and go with it, all the way through the bare breasted final credits.