Body Double (1984)

By now I'm well versed in Brian de Palma's output, and I've been pretty sniffy about some of his work in the past. Mission: Impossible (1996) is obviously a high point, as is his remake of Scarface (1983); The Untouchables (1987) is good but far from brilliant, and when he's ventured into erotic thriller before the results have been heavily flawed (Dressed to Kill [1980]). Body Double is a better film than Dressed to Kill, for the main reason that it takes itself far less seriously and is, at times, deliberately (I think) highly amusing. Jake (Craig Wasson) is a failing actor who meets Gregg Henry's Sam, a fellow actor who bizarrely offers him a friend's luxurious pad to stay in after Jake's girlfriend has cheated on him. Jake gratefully accepts, and realises that from the roof of the apartment, he can use a telescope to look at the view, which happens to include Gloria (Deborah Shelton) erotically dancing at the same time every night. Jake partakes in this voyeurism until he witnesses Gloria being abused by a mysterious individual who she seems to know. So far, so Rear Window (1954). And that, is very much the point of Body Double. Jake becomes obsessed with Gloria, stalking her repeatedly through all manner of Hitchcockian scenarios. This is no accident, de Palma wears these influences on his forehead throughout Body Double, to the point where it becomes ridiculous- but where this sort of thing has hampered his films in the past, here the doubling down is so excessive it very nearly turns into something quite excellent. Of course Jake also suffers from claustrophobia (a punch to the gut in the direction of Vertigo [1958]) leading to a couple of freak outs that border on truly ludicrous; but there's some really top stuff in here as well, a chase sequence through a shopping mall is expertly filmed bringing to mind yet another Hitchcock classic, North by Northwest (1958). During this scene Jake is- you guessed it- following Gloria, but he's concerned by the other individual that appears to be trying to kill her and also trying to kill him. It's all very Frenzy (1972) but by this point you've gone past flabbergasted and into the realm of very much enjoying it. Body Double provides some striking cinematography and camera work, and as well as unashamedly pointing to Peeping Tom (1960) it draws from other erotic thrillers if at times being overly objective in its portrayal of Gloria. It's total nonsense with some really excellent scenes (a sequence where Jake enters a porn film set to the tune of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's much banned 'Relax' is another high point) but this is Brian de Palma having fun, and he should really do it more often. 7.0/10