I like Black Panther, but I didn't like this movie.

From my favorite movies..

Boring, long, and too preachy.

I have absolutely never seen anything like this movie before. You have to see this movie.

Abrasive feminist reporter Grace Collier (well played to the annoying hilt by Jennifer Salt) witness a murder committed by model Danielle (a bravura performance by Margot Kidder) through her apartment window. When the police don't believe her, Collier hires low-rent private detective Joseph Larch (the always excellent Charles Durning) to get to the bottom of things. From its clever opening that puts an ingenious spin on the whole concept of voyeurism to the boldly ambiguous "it's not quite over" ending that refuses to tie everything up all nice and neat in a bow, director/co-writer Brian De Palma has a grand time slyly subverting basic thriller conventions while still delivering the requisite exciting set pieces: The brutal murder of decent guy Phillip Woode (a likeable portrayal by Lisle Wilson) is downright painful to watch while a ripsnorting cinematic black and white flashback sequence proves to be both surreal and nightmarish in equal measure. William Finley contributes a splendidly creepy turn as sinister psychiatrist Dr. Emil Breton. Dolph Sweet also does well as gruff and skeptical detective Kelly. Gregory Sandor's polished cinematography makes expert use of split screen and boasts a few sinuous tracking shots. Bernard Herrmann's shivery and spirited score hits the stirring spot. Essential viewing for De Palma fans.

I have liked this film since I first saw it back in the 70s when I seem to recall it was much dismissed. I felt there was something different about it. Maybe not as clinically professional as some films and more concerned with the action than the actors. There also seemed to be unusually seedy aspect to the goings on. Later, of course, I discovered Italian exploitation and gialli in particular. This is the territory De Palma is working in even if the references to Hitchcock are undeniable. Interestingly enough I recall Hitchcock being asked if the violence in Frenzy was really necessary and he said that continental films had much more sex and violence and if he had been allowed to he would have made his films more like that. So, De Palma does get away with it and in some style. The story races along with a pretty Margot Kidder central at first, before we get tabloid type flashes as to the past evidence of conjoined twins and the whole thing gets very creepy. The use of split screens is exciting, indeed De Palma seems to use anything at his disposal, including the great score, to give us that thrilling experience with just a little feeling of dread.

The only good thing I can say about this movie is... damn, Margot Kidder was so cute once! Never liked her in the "Superman" films, but in this one she was just too hot.Anyway, the film is yet another attempt to do a Hitchcock. For me it didn't work at all. The movie was way too slow, way too boring and way too weird - and I admit I didn't understand the ending at all. Even Bernard Herrmann's music didn't work for me - like the rest of the movie it was way too over the top.There were some minor surreal moments, but just like in "Rosemary's Baby", it didn't save the film.Olympia Dukakis is great in a tiny (and uncredited) role as a Louise Wilanski from the bakery. Don't blink or you'll miss her.

Danielle Breton (Margot Kidder) is a French Canadian model living on Staten Island. Philip Woode takes her home after their appearance on a Candid Camera game show. She's separated from her Siamese twin Dominique Blanchion who is angry about being left behind in a mental hospital. It's their birthday and Dominique is coming for a visit. When Philip returns with a birthday cake, he is stabbed to death by a crazed Dominique which is witnessed by neighbor reporter Grace Collier (Jennifer Salt). Her ex-husband Emil is stalking her and finds Danielle disoriented and Philip dead. He helps her hide the dead body in the foldaway couch. Police detectives Kelly and Spinetti investigate but they don't find a body. The cops distrust the reporter and Grace must investigate on her own. Her editor insists on hiring private detective Joseph Larch (Charles Durning) to join her.I often complain that characters in movies never call the cops. It's almost as bad when the cops turn out to be idiots. It doesn't make sense that the first cops on the scene are detectives rather than patrolmen. There's an argument about exigent circumstance which seems overblown and unreasonable. I can't understand why Grace is allowed into the apartment other than a need to advance the plot. If this actually happened, I expected uniformed cops to come and knock on the door looking for a victim. The cops dragging their feet is suppose to build tension but it build annoyance for me.Director Brian De Palma is doing a homage to Alfred Hitchcock. There is a good deal of fun Rear Window scenes. The last act is quite compelling. There are a lot of goodness here but there are a few things keeps annoying me. I really don't understand why Larch doesn't call the cops about the couch. If they find the body, the cops could get the couch delivered in their own sting. These little logic problems just bug me.