Day 6: Carrie (1976) directed by Brian De Palma

Stephen King's novel almost didn't happen. King was frustrated with his writing and tossed the pages into the trash bin. His wife found them and pushed him to continue writing. It became his first novel to be published. The success of the book garnered the attention of Hollywood and a movie was in the works. Brian De Palma had been given the task to make Carrie come to life. What became apparent was the need to streamline the story omitting some of the more grandiose elements and the investigation known as the White Commission. It became more personal focusing on the relationship between Carrie and her overtly religious mother Margaret. It also emphasized the high school experience dealing with group mentality and the behaviours of individuals.
The story of Carrie is one that still resonates. Carrie White is a social outcast who is bullied by her classmates on a daily basis. Not only does Carrie have to deal with the daily ridicule but she has to live under the strict rule of her mother Margaret White. This makes Carrie a target as she is never told about becoming a woman. As Carrie experiences her first period at school the girls taunt her with chants of "plug it up! plug it up!" throwing tampons at her.
This is the catalyst for an awakening. Carrie discovers her telekinetic powers. It is her powers that ultimately lead to the denouement at the high school prom.
Carrie is a classic story of a bullied teen that ends up getting revenge on her tormentors. It is a parable that unfortunately continues to repeat itself. Bullied teens commit suicide, live with long term emotional issues or worse commit acts to avenge their treatment.
Today is Spirit Day, a day to bring awareness to LGBT teen bullying. Carrie's story could be transposed to the thousands of kids that encounter daily harassment from their peers. Carrie is a horror film that is timeless. Although we might progress as a society that tale of an outcast will always connect with the teenager in us.
#carrie #stephenking #briandepalma #horror #horrormovie #classichorrormovie #sissyspacek #piperlaurie #spiritday #prom #bullying #revenge