I recently stumbled upon the 1984 detective thriller Body Double, and it's been stuck in my head for days now.
Ryan De Palma's film 'Body Double' (1984)
Deborah Shelton in the thriller 'Body Double' (1984)What's caught my attention is that the director managed to create such an unusual film that I'm eager to tell you more about it. The movie is from 1984, but it feels like it was made yesterday, not 42 years ago!
So, if you enjoy mysteries in films and aren't opposed to explicit scenes on screen, let's dive into the world of Jake, a struggling artist who moves into a swanky pad on the Hollywood Hills. He's got a telescope set up by the window, and he's obsessed with watching his beautiful neighbor get ready for the night.
Craig Wasson in the thriller 'Body Double' (1984)
Ryan De Palma's film 'Body Double' (1984)I can confidently say that 'Body Double' is a crazy film in the best sense of the word; it's right up there with 'Blow Out' (1983) in my favorites list.
De Palma's films stay with me for a long time, and it's no surprise - he's a master of his craft. Dramas with a crime twist or psychological thrillers are his thing, so when I put on 'Body Double', I had a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Craig Wasson in Body Heat (1984) Body Heat (1984) film by Brian De PalmaI was hooked from the get-go, and the next two hours flew by in a blur. The music, the views of a neon-lit Hollywood, and the cast - it all blended together so seamlessly, I felt like I was transported to another world. I was completely absorbed in the film.
Be patient, though - the first 15 minutes might feel a bit slow. The setup is a bit drawn out, and it's easy to get lost in the details. But trust me, it's worth waiting it out. The payoff is huge.
The '80s were in full swing, and the sun was shining bright. But for Jake, life was a mess. His career was tanking, his girlfriend was cheating on him, and he had nowhere to go. In a fit of rage, he packed his bags and hit the road, with no particular destination in mind.
Body Heat (1984) film by Brian De Palma Craig Wasson in Body Heat (1984)That night, he ended up at a bar, where he ran into an old friend, Sam. They started talking, and before long, Sam offered him a place to stay in a swanky pad on the Hollywood Hills. It was a sweet deal, and Jake couldn't pass it up. Body Double (1984) by Ryan De Palma Craig Wasson in Body Double (1984)I have to say, Jake's thrilled when he gets the opportunity to move into this place. The apartments are seriously amazing, and to top it off, Sam's got a telescope set up by the window - he loves sneaking peeks at his neighbor across the way. From that point on, the movie's got so much momentum, you can't tear yourself away from the screen!
Of course, Jake's right there with Sam, watching the hot neighbor get ready for the night. She puts on this outrageous outfit, slathers on the makeup, cranks up the tunes, and gets ready to party - it's like she's performing just for them!
Deborah Shelton in Body Double (1984) Deborah Shelton in Body Double (1984)It's hard to remain detached, and before long, Jake notices something weird about the house - that's when things start to get really interesting...
At this point, Jake's completely lost his grip on reality and is diving headfirst into the mystery. I'll stop there and leave you with a cliffhanger - you'll just have to keep watching to find out what happens next!
The Body Double (1984) by Brian De Palma Melanie Griffith in The Body Double (1984) Interestingly, I'd already reviewed a similar film by a lesser-known director, Jamie Travis, that started off almost identical to this one, but with a much sadder ending and a more unsettling atmosphere.
I can't say the same about The Body Double, though. I think guys will appreciate it mainly for the risqué scenes and the beauty of Melanie Griffith.
Melanie Griffith in The Body Double (1984) It's not just a thriller and drama, but also has a subtle sense of humor, because I found it hard to watch the main character's actions without laughing. The film's got a great hook right from the start, and the atmosphere's tense and engaging all the way through to the end credits. The soundtrack's top-notch, with some really catchy tunes playing in the background. The visuals are stunning, with some gorgeous shots and clever camera angles. The sets are also seriously impressive.
The Body Double (1984) by Brian De Palma I watched this film in one go, and every minute was so packed with action that I found myself thinking, 'What's going on here?' It's like a delicious cake with an unusual filling - I took a small bite and couldn't stop, so I ended up eating the whole thing. I highly recommend watching this complex film and sharing your thoughts.
That's why I'm giving it five stars and recommending it without hesitation. As usual, I'll briefly mention what I liked most about The Body Double:
I've got to say, the storyline is pretty unique and twisted. It's got a great hook right from the start, and the atmosphere's tense and engaging all the way through to the end credits.The soundtrack's top-notch, with some really catchy tunes playing in the background.The visuals are stunning, with some gorgeous shots and clever camera angles. The sets are also seriously impressive.The acting's superb - I completely believed every single character.The twist at the end is seriously unexpected - I didn't see it coming at all!The film's got a subtle sense of humor and a nod to Hitchcock's style, but it's done in a way that's respectful and fun.Bravo! This is a fantastic thriller that left me thoroughly impressed!