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Dressed to Kill is a sexually inclined, suspense masterpiece from the maverick of macabre
Dressed to Kill is an erotic psychological mystery thriller from Brian De Palma that completely reshaped and redefined the genre in the 1980's.
Starring renowned British actor Michael Caine (Italian Job, Get Carter), Nancy Allen (Carrie, Blow Out) and Angie Dickenson (Point Blank, The Killers), Dressed to Kill begins as a physiologically and sexually frustrated Kate Miller (Dickenson) consults her shrink regarding her husband’s lackluster performances within the bedroom. Following the session with Dr. Elliot (Caine), Kate incontrovertibly seduces a stranger in a art gallery, before going back to his apartment.
Upon departing the man’s apartment, Kate is savagely killed within the elevator; the sole witness is a high-end prostitute Liz Blake (Allen), who is in-turn a suspect of the murder.
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DISTURBED SUBCONSCIOUS OF HIS CHARACTERS
One of De Palma’s most tenebrous and most contentious suspense thrillers, Dressed to Kill was as celebrated for it’s fashionable set-pieces as it was condemned for it’s graphic sexual inclinations and extreme violence.
De Palma rummages deep inside the disturbed subconscious of his characters in order to subvert expectations at every turn. The way he turns the material inside out is infectious, with a degree of great confidence in his ability as a director.
De Palma's career covers 40 years and incorporates box office triumphs in every decade since the 1970's, cementing him as one of the best and most recognisable directors in the history of cinema. He has earned the right to be mentioned within the same breath as greats like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and William Friedkin, all of whom where alongside De Palma and critical in moulding the 'New Hollywood' development which revolutionised cinema within the Hollywood studio system during the 70's and 80's.
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A MOVIE OF HUGE SIGNIFICANCE
De Palma’s movies also depict a psychological and violent aspect, themes that are very apparent within Dressed to Kill. De Palma uses spilt-screens, slow panning shots and Hitchcock-like suspense as a brewing signature of Dressed to Kill. These techniques are seen in many De Palma movie, but aren’t as perfectly executed as in Dressed to Kill.
Not only has De Palma proved hugely influence on many modern day filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino (who hails De Palma as the greatest living American director) but Dressed to Kill is a movie of huge significance. It’s a movie that delivers a narrative of psychological madness played across a grotesque and perverted visual sensibility.