Review of Dressed to Kill (1980) by Michael F — 01 Feb 2008
Masterful and resplendently stylish terror from De Palma. Dressed to Kill is one of the best-shot films I've ever seen; rarely do you see such impeccable cinematography outside of a Hitchcock film. The fastidiously-planned scenes sustain the horror and suspense brilliantly. Along with De Palma's flawless direction, you'll find terrific performances from the cast, especially Angie Dickinson as the insatiable Kate Miller, Nancy Allen as a feisty and quirky prostitute, and Keith Gordon as Dickinson's resourceful son (Michael Caine is great, as always).
As a seasoned horror fan, this type of film rarely shocks me outright. However, there are several moments in Dressed to Kill (such as the virtuousically-filmed art museum and subway sequences) that made my jaw drop. Indeed, surprises are integral to this film, and you'll likely find your mouth agape several times as you view it. Trust me: you'll be hard-pressed to find a thriller more gripping and tense than this. And, with its deliriously nail-biting conclusion, Dressed to Kill is De Palma's zenith as a horror auteur.
This review of Dressed to Kill (1980) was written by Michael F on 01 Feb 2008.
Dressed to Kill has generally received positive reviews.
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