Blow Out
Blow Out is an incredibly stylish and mysterious murder-mystery thriller that both pays homage to the audio aspect of filmmaking, and exposes the many agencies in society for it’s corruption.
The part that makes the main story of Blow Out so spectacular is that is eventually becomes more than you could ever imagine. Initially, you are led to believe that this is a simply mystery waiting to be solved at the end, and that’s that. But it goes so much deeper. The film deals with the corruption of police officers and government officials, which makes it Jack’s responsibility to solve the case itself. Additionally, it also deals with the mistreatment of a lot of women in society, through Sally’s character. Jack seems like the only person that treats her as a peer, rather than someone inferior, as friends of the governor, Carp and the killer do. Speaking of the killer, if there’s one thing that truly solidifies this as perfection, it’s John Lithgow’s Liberty Bell Strangler. A nameless sadist, he is so threatening since he only talks when he needs to. He keeps to himself and kills silently. Really frightening stuff.
As previously mentioned, this film is fabulously styled. Who would’ve thought a thriller like this could be so colourful. The neon signs light up the street and screen constantly, and the silhouettes are so effortlessly made. To have this set around a freedom celebration means that fantastic shots can be made, and they are. The fireworks shot is so good because it comes right after the chase to help Sally, giving you the choice to either marvel at the fireworks, or grimace at the tragic events on screen. Additionally, the camera work is really well from De Palma, as he favours tracking singular shots in most parts, instead of quick cuts.
The ending to Blow Out is brutally shocking, going places you never thought it could. It features such a messed up full circle moment for Jack, as he technically achieves what he was first set out to do by his boss. Blow Out is mysterious, thrilling, and in the end, a tragic look on psychopathy, corruption, and human neglect.