This is such an underrated gem and something I watch once or twice a year with a bud (Most DePalma films are like that). DePalma's style is definitely recognizable in this film by it's long tracking shots, eerie atmosphere and his use of every inch of the frame (mis en scene) to create a film that is enjoyable to film buffs and the casual viewer.
A movie sound effects technician, Jack Terry (John Travolta – In one of his best performances) is out recording sounds for a piece of shit horror film when he captures sound evidence of a plotted political assassination – A car has an apparent “blow out” and crashes into a nearby lake. Jack sees this and jumps in, hoping to find someone alive. He finds and rescues Sally – a prostitute “connected to” the presidential candidate played by Brian DePalma's ex wife, Nancy Allen. Soon enough, Jack is involved in the mystery and tries to prove that nothing that night happened by accident. The film has some expected and unexpected twists and turns and there are great tense moments, not to mention insights into the film and audio recording world.
Here's the thing about Nancy Allen: The first time I watched this film I was annoyed by her performance, simply putting it off as another DePalma film with his wife in the supporting role. A funny thing happens as the story progresses: you begin to realize that her character is supposed to have the quirks and off-putting dumb personality and after repeat viewings, you may even sympathize with her and like her.
John Lithgow is in Blow Out and is fantastic as always as an assassin involved in the political plot whose one loose end is Nancy Allen’s character. As always, Lithgow is fantastic and menacing as a man posing as a serial killer to cover his tracks. Dennis Franz is also in this movie as another man who witnessed the “accident” and whether you like him or not, in this film, he does what he is supposed to do very well - playing a man trying to profit from the tragedy while having a “connection” to Sally.
I don’t want to say anything more about the plot because it is too good to ruin, not to mention it has one of the most dramatic endings in film history. Over time, I have become fonder of this film and consider it one of the best in the thriller genre and one of DePalma’s very best. Quentin Tarantino ranks this film among his top three all-time favorite films, and while I wouldn’t place it among my top three, I can definitely see why he likes it and why you should too.
"That's a good scream."
It is being re-released on Criterion DVD and Blu-Ray on April 26. There is a bare bones MGM DVD version out as well. Highly recommended – GO GET IT!
4 1/2 Microphones (Out of 5)
Listen Carefully...Check Out the Trailer!
Pick up the DVD on Amazon:
Criterion DVD
Out of Print DVD
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