It's Happening... Again.
Friday, August 24, 2012 at 1:44AM
Beau McCoy in Carrie, Chloe Moretz, High School Movies, Julianne Moore, remakes

Hello Lovely Readers!

Beau here, and holy God, it’s happening. 

 

Yeah, yeah, I knew Carrie was in production, but it’s one of those films you know is being made but you don’t truly believe it until you see a still in front of you.  And lucky for us, we have two.

Initial Thoughts:

-Is that really Chloe Moretz? I mean, Jesus. She’s not wasting any time on puberty, is she? We’ll consider Dark Shadows the extent of that and move on, I suppose. Unlike Nathaniel, I’m decidedly mixed on Moretz. I’ve seen nothing of hers thus far that has truly wowed me, (unlike her fellow contemporary Elle Fanning, who KILLED in Super 8) but at the same time, she’s young. And the fact that she is actively pursuing work like this and throwing herself into it fearlessly is something to be commended for. She reminds me a lot of a childhood frenemy of mine who had, ironically enough, a tendency to taunt and tease mercilessly (ironic I guess, considering the nature of her character.) So I also chalk it up to negative association on that front. 

-Seriously, though. Pre-teen Lady Macbeth. 

-I'm reminded (how did I ever forget this?) that most of Carrie’s horror has to deal with the terror of adolescence. It’s no mistake that the opening five minutes centers around her first period; the blood is running already, gushing by the end. 

-Okay. I love Moore as this casting choice. LOVE 

 

 But...

I wanted to see her hair on fucking FIRE. The hairstyle here feels so modern and kept, not at all like Laurie’s in the 70’s. I just had this beautiful image of Julianne Moore going into full-genre-histrionic mode, going Mommie Dearest on Moretz, wild abandon and complete unawareness of who she is. Which isn’t to say she won’t rock the house with this perf; it is certainly the bravest choice she’s made in the way of parts since Savage Grace. I guess I just expected something that would put Sideshow Bob to shame. 

-Love the virginal white contrasting the impure red. Love the cross for being noticeable but not showy. Love the knife in the hand like we’re going into slasher territory.

Yeah.  I’m liking what I see so far. 

How about you?  Will this mark a transition for Moretz?  Does she look the part? Does Moore cut it for you?  Does Moore look like she could bring on the fiery wrath of a thousand suns?  Does a remake have any business / obligation to be faithful to an original? Let's hear it.

Article originally appeared on The Film Experience (http://thefilmexperience.net/).
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