Body Double (1984)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Brian De Palma

Writers:

Brian De Palma (story)
Robert J. Avrech (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

26 October 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

A seduction. A mystery. A murder.

Plot:

Jake comes home to find his girlfriend with another man and has to find a new place. In between his acting workshops and his job in a vampire B-movie...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Peeping Tom | House Sitter | Actor | Neighbor

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Craig Wasson	...	Jake Scully
Melanie Griffith	...	Holly Body
Gregg Henry	...	Sam Bouchard
Deborah Shelton	...	Gloria Revelle
Guy Boyd	...	Det. Jim McLean
Dennis Franz	...	Rubin the Director
David Haskell	...	Will the Drama Teacher
Rebecca Stanley	...	Kimberly Hess
Al Israel	...	Corso the Director
Douglas Warhit	...	Video Salesman
B.J. Jones	...	Douglas
Russ Marin	...	Frank
Lane Davies	...	Billy
Barbara Crampton	...	Carol
Larry Flash Jenkins	...	Assistant Director (as Larry 'Flash' Jenkins)

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) (re-rating) (2003) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) (original rating) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Australia:R | Italy:VM14 (re-rating) | Australia:MA (TV rating) | Finland:K-16 (uncut) (2000) (DVD) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1988) (VHS) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1985) (theatrical) | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) (cut) | Singapore:R(A) (cut) | Brazil:14 | Argentina:18 | France:-12 | Italy:VM18 | Norway:15 (cut) | Norway:16 (1985) | Portugal:M/18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

802 N. Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Bret Easton Ellis' book 'American Psycho' references this film many times, it is one of the main character, Patrick Bateman's, favorite movies.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The first time "The Indian" attempts to use the drill, when the cord is too short to reach, the drill is running in reverse. That would make it pretty tough to use in the eventual manner.

Quotes:

Sam Bouchard: Don't be so melodramatic.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Untouchables: Production Stories (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Relax

Another misunderstood masterpiece from De Palma

I was pleasantly surprised when I picked this film up recently. Judging this movie by its cover, and putting a little too much trust in the IMDb rating, I avoided it. Finally having watched it I can honestly say that its a post-modern classic. I love the fact that Craig Wasson's character is involved with a Vampire B-movie, His character, and situation make a film thats extremely fantastical seem somewhat believable. It just goes to show you that Hollywood is indeed one of the craziest places in the world. De Palma demonstrates manic inspired genius by utilizing the southern California back-drop. Caught somewhere between satire, and sexual thriller its one of those special genre films that no one attempts to make anymore. As far as I'm concerned De Palma is the only old-school director that continually takes chances, and still explores new avenues. 10/10