Movie review: "Dressed to Kill" (1980)

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This 1980 film is torrid in sex and violence. “Dressed to Kill” is cinematic artistry at it peak and excellent example of why filmmaker Brian DePalma was once hailed as heir to master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock. It would be a criminal to reveal much of the plot and spoil expectations of those interested in catching the film. “Carrie” and “Scarface” may be DePalma’s best known pictures but “Dressed to Kill” remains his finest effort. The film begins innocently enough with sexually frustrated Kate (Angie Dickinson) discussing her problems with psychiatrist Dr. Elliott (Michael Caine). Kate is man hungry to the point of pursuing a strange man and spending the afternoon at his apartment. DePalma gets the viewer so caught up in Kate’s issues that the sudden appearance of a razor wielding killer is a jolt. From that point on, the story follows the killer stalking prostitute Liz (Nancy Allen) who witnesses the murder. The success of “Dressed to Kill” is completely owed to DePalma’s screenplay and stylish direction. The film is a progression of his earlier excursions into Hitchcock territory “Sisters” and “Obsession.” The filmmaker doesn’t rely on the usual scare techniques and definitely not special effects to maintain audience attention. DePalma adds touches of humor into certain situations and offers clever dialogue laced with sexual innuendo. Most films of the genre tend to be heavy handed, obvious and serious in mood but DePalma keeps a light fluid pace. Caine and Dickinson portray parts that are opposite of what audiences associated them with. Then sex symbol Dickinson playing a housewife may be difficult to comprehend given she was “Policewoman” yet the actress makes it work and “Dressed to Kill” is her finest big screen performance. Caine showed another facet of his abilities that became more pronounced as he matured as an actor. The film’s shining presence is Allen (the former Mrs. DePalma) whose screen debut was in “Carrie.” Her subsequent career was spent languishing in bad films save “Robocop” which was her biggest film. She skillfully played the high priced prostitute with a sweetness quickly turning into hardness demanded of her profession at any given moment. “Dressed to Kill” is a forgotten film almost 40 years later that waits to be rediscovered. In this era of lame thrillers and remakes of lame thrillers, it’s time to see a now under-appreciated filmmaker delivering genuine suspense and craftsmanship. The film is another example of Hollywood’s last gasp of greatness in the early 80s.