Quentin Tarantino is widely considered one of the most important filmmakers working today, and he’s known for being very outspoken. Recently, his critical comments about actor Paul Dano sparked a lot of support for Dano from other people in the film industry, even though Tarantino often champions various projects. As a true film lover, Tarantino has been particularly enthusiastic about Brian De Palma’s 1981 film, Blow Out, which is currently available to watch for free.
Brian De Palma’s thriller Blow Out is currently available to stream on Tubi and The Roku Channel. In 1994, while promoting Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino found the film at a video store and shared his thoughts on it.
I believe Brian De Palma’s Blow Out is a masterpiece, and his best film. Considering De Palma’s talent as a director of his generation, that makes it one of the greatest movies ever made. Plus, John Travolta delivers a truly outstanding performance.
What Happens in ‘Blow Out’?
Brian De Palma’s film, influenced by the movie Blow-Up, features John Travolta as a sound designer who works on cheap horror films. One evening, while recording sounds for his movies, Travolta’s character, Jack Terry, witnesses a car crash into a creek. He tries to save the driver but isn’t successful, though he does rescue Nancy Allen’s character, Sally Bedina. The investigation that follows reveals the driver was a potential presidential candidate and Sally worked as a sex worker.
While listening back to his recordings, Jack noticed a gunshot before the tire blew, leading him to believe the incident wasn’t accidental, but a deliberate attempt on the life of the presidential candidate. His suspicions were confirmed when a hitman, portrayed by John Lithgow, started pursuing Jack and Sally, trying to conceal the truth as they investigated further.
An Underrated Thriller
Filmways Pictures
When the movie first came out, it didn’t immediately connect with most viewers, mainly because of its sad ending. However, critics generally liked it a lot – Roger Ebert, for example, gave it a four-star review and explained that…
De Palma has truly excelled at creating believable, fully-developed characters in this film. We connect with the people portrayed by John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow, and Dennis Franz, who feel real thanks to their unique quirks and mannerisms. Even when caught up in a complex and twisting conspiracy, they react in a way that feels authentic – they aren’t simply moved around to serve the story.
While Brian De Palma had previously directed classic horror films and campy movies like Carrie, Phantom of the Paradise, Sisters, The Fury, and Dressed to Kill, Blow Out marked a turning point, feeling like his most mature and complex work. The film delved into unsettling themes of political sabotage, government secrets, and the mistreatment of victims, and it proved remarkably ahead of its time in its predictions.
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2026-01-30 23:48