Ironically released in 1984, the year when Big Brother was ‘watching’, this tale of a struggling actor down on his luck was brought to us from Director Brian De Palma.
Aspiring actor Jake Scully catches his partner in bed with another man and snaps. Losing his home and his part in a low budget horror movie, Jake hits rock bottom.
A chance encounter with a fellow thespian, soon sees him go up in the world, literally.
In his new role as housesitter high above the Hollywood Hills Jake becomes infatuated with his nearby neighbour, and whilst he enjoys her explicit actions, he soon witnesses something more terrible than he could ever imagine!!
Obviously indebted to Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’, the film benefits heavily from Brian De Palma’s masterful direction, which elevates the material making it more than just your average soft-core thriller.
Craig Wasson seems like a likeable guy and plays one really well, which is good for the viewer as we have someone to root for.
The only downside is the fact that a young Melanie Griffith does not enter the storyline (rather appropriately) until 69 minutes in.
The film boasts some excellent use of camera and shot compositions, as well as some excellent claustrophobic set pieces which surprisingly take place out doors, making for a strange juxtaposition.
The killer actually freaked me out a bit too, especially when we first see him watching the character of Gloria, as his welding iron creates a weird bluish green light in the background….creepy!!
OVERALL SUMMARY
A very entertaining and aesthetically wonderful thriller is complimented by a mad man with a huge power drill!! What more could you ask for?
