The New Hollywood period is famously associated with a group of directors who have since become cinema legends, such as Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Francis Ford Coppola. These filmmakers, often referred to as “the movie brats,” were instrumental in shaping the industry during this time. Initially, they gained recognition by mastering particular genres that became their trademark in the early stages of their careers. However, as time passed, many New Hollywood directors ventured into different genres and storytelling avenues. Brian De Palma, for instance, initially excelled in horror films but later expanded his repertoire to encompass other types of movies. He is a prime example of the versatility these New Hollywood directors demonstrated over their careers.
From 1976, when he brought Stephen King’s “Carrie” to the screen and dominated the “giallo” genre in American cinema throughout the ’70s, fans knew they could rely on Brian De Palma for a thrill. Unlike his contemporaries, known as the “movie brats,” De Palma didn’t achieve widespread acclaim until the 1980s, when his films were among the most popular in the nation. However, it seemed that he would continue making the same genre films he had been for the previous decade. That was until 1981, when he released one of his lesser-known masterpieces – “Blow Out,” a thriller that hinted at the new direction his exceptional filmmaking career would take.
Blow Out Is Another Brian De Palma Classic in the Thriller Genre
By 1981, a year after directing “Dressed to Kill” alongside Michael Caine and Nancy Allen, De Palma was in the creative height of his career, a fact unbeknownst to many viewers at the time. Continuing his streak of excellence for the next decade, he swiftly returned to work, collaborating once more with his then-spouse, Nancy Allen, on another suspenseful project that promised to surpass all his previous works in the genre.
In a well-known anecdote, De Palma put immense effort into his film Blow Out, feeling slightly disheartened upon comparing it to Scorsese’s exceptional masterpiece, Raging Bull. Being part of the ‘movie brats’ generation, they were constantly engaged in friendly rivalry. Although Blow Out didn’t quite match up to Raging Bull or surpass De Palma’s previous projects, it was still a gripping thriller. A significant factor behind its success was the casting of one of Hollywood’s most prominent stars at that time – John Travolta. Following the successes of movies like Saturday Night Fever and Grease, Travolta was in high demand by every studio for their films.
| Notable Brian De Palma Films | Release Year |
|---|---|
| Carrie | 1976 |
| Dressed to Kill | 1980 |
| Blow Out | 1981 |
| Scarface | 1983 |
| The Untouchables | 1987 |
| Carlito’s Way | 1993 |
It’s interesting to note that the same movie studios underestimated the fact that Travolta would experience a career slump from which he wouldn’t recover for over ten years. Before this slump began, however, Travolta took on roles in films outside of his usual repertoire. These unconventional choices ultimately benefited his career as they opened up opportunities for more diverse roles later on. Intriguingly, De Palma’s decision to cast Travolta in “Blow Out” would eventually lead to him being cast in “Pulp Fiction,” several years down the line. The collaboration between De Palma, Travolta, and Allen proved to be a successful formula for another hit thriller.
In simpler terms, the movie “Blow Out” is typical in its theme as it portrays a complex web of conspiracy involving an innocent girl, a politician, and a serial killer. The main character, Jack (a B-movie sound technician), unintentionally gets entangled in this intricate plot. As events unfold, we learn more about Jack’s past and his anxiety intensifies; the movie becomes increasingly suspenseful and engaging as it leads to an emotionally charged finale. The effective use of sound effects, camera angles, and outstanding acting make “Blow Out” a must-watch for any thriller enthusiast, although some may find the ending slightly ambiguous.
Although it primarily falls under the thriller category, the movie exhibits nuanced elements that suggest a secondary genre presence as well. These hints may point towards a new genre that Brian De Palma will explore post his tenure with thrillers.
One Sequence in Blow Out Could Exist in an ’80s Gangster Movie
Despite Blow Out maintaining the typical pace of a Brian De Palma thriller, it offers a unique atmosphere unlike his previous works. John Travolta delivers a captivating performance, and as the story unfolds, it transcends being merely a murder mystery. It’s common for Brian De Palma to incorporate elements from his influential films into his own creations. In certain instances, like in Dressed to Kill, he crafts an entire film as a tribute to another work (in that case, Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’). However, De Palma also blends trends and influences to create something new while still leveraging classic techniques. Blow Out skillfully combines elements from two other films, one of which was made by a friend only seven years prior.
Among the group known as “movie brats,” De Palma is one of three with Italian-American roots. By the time his film, “Blow Out,” was released, both Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola were already established directors during the ’70s and ’80s. These two had dabbled in various genres, but notably focused on gangster films or elements related to this genre. Although “Blow Out” may not appear as De Palma’s initial exploration of this genre, upon closer examination of its underlying themes, it clearly displays an influence from this background.
| Blow Out Cast | Character |
|---|---|
| John Travolta | Jack Terry |
| Nancy Allen | Sally |
| John Lithgow | Burke |
| Dennis Franz | Manny Karp |
| Kurt May | Donahue |
| John McMartin | Lawrence Henry |
The title “Blow Out” alludes to Michelangelo Antonioni’s influential European arthouse mystery film, “Blow Up,” which revolves around a photographer uncovering a murder through his photographs. In contrast, “Blow Out” features Jack discovering a murder through sound work, mirroring Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 classic, “The Conversation,” where a surveillance expert exposes a conspiracy through his work. Both directors, De Palma and Scorsese, aim to emulate this theme.
In one thrilling, cinematic scene reminiscent of a gangster flick, Jack discloses his past as a federal sound technician, primarily handling mafia-related cases and police department corruption. This particular job, which led to his departure, revolved around a malfunctioning wiretap that inadvertently put an informant’s life at risk. The ensuing sequence, brimming with tension, showcases a chilling mob hit that underscores Jack’s decision to leave the federal service. This intense scene subtly hints at director Brian De Palma’s upcoming narrative shift.
Brian De Palma Would Go On to Make Three Iconic Gangster Movies
Brian De Palma showcased his versatility and storytelling abilities with the movie Blow Out. Although it stands out as his last major thriller, it also delves into themes like conspiracy and corruption, which are typical in gangster films. The intriguing scene where Jack discloses his past battles against the mob subtly foreshadows the kind of films De Palma would create later. It’s astonishing to think that Blow Out was made by De Palma only a year after Dressed to Kill, and just two years before he directed one of his most influential works, which became a groundbreaking phenomenon in the film industry and continues to resonate today.
As a movie enthusiast, I’d say that the film “Scarface,” starring Al Pacino, left me stunned by its sheer entertainment value and lasting impact. Yet, Director De Palma’s mastery within the gangster genre didn’t stop there; he continued to create two more exceptional films in this genre. Fast forward to 1987, he crafted “The Untouchables,” another cinematic gem in the gangster genre, often hailed as one of the best in its category. This masterpiece chronicles the decline of Al Capone during the 1930s.
1993 saw director De Palma returning to craft his least recognized mafia film, “Carlito’s Way.” Each of these works left a significant impact on viewers and are considered pivotal in the gangster movie genre. It’s astonishing to think that a small scene within “Blow Out” hinted at the creation of these three masterful gangster productions.
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2025-05-22 16:11