How nostalgic this makes me feel! I can still remember when I saw "Carrie" in theaters.
"Carrie" has the distinction of being one of the few movies based on a book in which the movie is actually better than the book. I always found the book, which is partly composed of news stories and official reports, to be somewhat disjointed. The movie, in contrast, is much more focused.
Also, the movie cleans up some inconsistencies in the book. For example, in the book, Sue sets Carrie up with Tommy (her boyfriend), and then seems to be rooting for them to get together, even though she genuinely cares about him (and had miraculously good sex with him shortly before). That always struck me as a WTF kind of situation. Sue's motive was never clear.
Anyway, people who saw the movie with me unanimously agreed on the importance of the final scene that your analysis makes so clear.
Sue’s motive has always been clear to me. Sue had heart. She was a decent person with a conscience, and genuinely felt badly about participating in humiliating Carrie. In turn, she wanted to give Carrie the experience of feeling beautiful and going to prom.
Yes, that's how it works in the movie. In the book, though, there are moments when she is rooting for Carrie to get together with her boyfriend--whom she loves herself. That isn't quite the same thing as just wanting her to have the prom experience. But in both the book and the movie, it's clear that Sue is a good person and wants Carrie's life to be better.
You know, I really should read the book. I’ve said that to myself so many times over the years. I even have an old paperback copy that I found at a garage sale maybe six? Or so? Years ago? I tucked it into my bookcase with the best of intentions..
Sue’s mother tells whoever is on the phone that the Dr. said Sue is “young enough to forget the whole thing” which is obviously ridiculous since, as a senior in high school, Sue is, at very least, 17. That part has bugged me for years.
Let’s say the rope broke and the bucket didn’t fall. Ever wonder how that whole thing would’ve played out in school on Monday? Carrie, now kissed by Tommy with her prom queen crown at home in her hope chest? She goes to school feeling brand new, having learned how to curl her hair, and gloss her lips. Most importantly, she’d be totally enamored with Tommy who would still be with Sue. Hmm! 🤔
Edit: P.S. How weird is it that Priscilla Pointer just passed away five days ago? I had no idea.
How nostalgic this makes me feel! I can still remember when I saw "Carrie" in theaters.
"Carrie" has the distinction of being one of the few movies based on a book in which the movie is actually better than the book. I always found the book, which is partly composed of news stories and official reports, to be somewhat disjointed. The movie, in contrast, is much more focused.
Also, the movie cleans up some inconsistencies in the book. For example, in the book, Sue sets Carrie up with Tommy (her boyfriend), and then seems to be rooting for them to get together, even though she genuinely cares about him (and had miraculously good sex with him shortly before). That always struck me as a WTF kind of situation. Sue's motive was never clear.
Anyway, people who saw the movie with me unanimously agreed on the importance of the final scene that your analysis makes so clear.
Sue’s motive has always been clear to me. Sue had heart. She was a decent person with a conscience, and genuinely felt badly about participating in humiliating Carrie. In turn, she wanted to give Carrie the experience of feeling beautiful and going to prom.
Yes, that's how it works in the movie. In the book, though, there are moments when she is rooting for Carrie to get together with her boyfriend--whom she loves herself. That isn't quite the same thing as just wanting her to have the prom experience. But in both the book and the movie, it's clear that Sue is a good person and wants Carrie's life to be better.
You know, I really should read the book. I’ve said that to myself so many times over the years. I even have an old paperback copy that I found at a garage sale maybe six? Or so? Years ago? I tucked it into my bookcase with the best of intentions..
Ah, I have books like that, too!
Sue’s mother tells whoever is on the phone that the Dr. said Sue is “young enough to forget the whole thing” which is obviously ridiculous since, as a senior in high school, Sue is, at very least, 17. That part has bugged me for years.
Let’s say the rope broke and the bucket didn’t fall. Ever wonder how that whole thing would’ve played out in school on Monday? Carrie, now kissed by Tommy with her prom queen crown at home in her hope chest? She goes to school feeling brand new, having learned how to curl her hair, and gloss her lips. Most importantly, she’d be totally enamored with Tommy who would still be with Sue. Hmm! 🤔
Edit: P.S. How weird is it that Priscilla Pointer just passed away five days ago? I had no idea.