Blow Out - Definition and Overview

Blow Out is a 1981 film by Brian DePalma starring John Travolta as Jack Terry, a sound effect man who accidentally captures evidence of an assassination of presidential candidate Governor McRyan while recording sounds for a movie.

While John Travolta's performance is usually praised, the performance of his co-star Nancy Allen (in the role of Sally) is considered to be the weakest part of the film.

Also in the movie are Dennis Franz as Manny Karp, a Zapruderesque figure and John Lithgow as the assassin Burke.

The title and themes of the film are an homage to Antonioni's 1966 film 'Blowup'.

Initial reaction to the film was mixed. Famously, Harlan Ellison walked out of a Writers Guild Film Society screening, stating that DePalma's movie "consciously and gratuitously debased the human spirit." However, in the 90s, Quentin Tarantino consistently promoted the movie, and listed "Blow Out" as one of his favorite three films, along with Rio Bravo and Taxi Driver. This endorsement has led to a critical reappraisement of the movie.

The movie is also noted for its tragic ending. Jack races through Philadelphia's "Liberty Day" parade in an attempt to keep Sally from being murdered, but he is unsuccesful. Because he has wired Sally for sound, he immortalizes her by using her scream on the soundtrack of a movie he has been editing.

External links

• Blow Out (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082085/) at the Internet Movie Database
• Extended review of DVD (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=4106)
• Making of Blow Out (http://www.briandepalma.net/blowout/blwt2.htm)