Fantastic movie,
adapted from a novel by Stephen King. Christine is a car and his owner an ado
without any insurance. His girl friend is jalous…
Arnie is a young man who gets no physical
insurance (big glasses behind his eyes). He is 17 years old. He lives in a
typical american family. It’s the beginning of a new scolar year in a
high-school. Arnie and his friend Dennis are totally obsessed by their libido.
They observe charming girls. Most particulary, Leigh Cabot who is a new serious
and studious.
Without any provocation, Arnie is hated by
another students (not very studious, but very struggleded men). They cut Arnie
in a classroom, and one of them threat him with a knife. The professor will come
on at time to prevent from the struggle became too hard.
Conducted by Dennis to home, Arnie looks an
old car absolutely unusefull near the road. A bill says « To sell ».
Dennis get a look and he discusses with the seller. The car is a Plymouth Fury,
number CQD 241 issues from the Detroit factory in 1957. It’s name is Christine
(like a woman person). This car has a story the seller keep himself. The car
was involved into the death of two persons. One of them was asphyxied into the
car at the factory. The second person asphyxied is the own brother of the
seller. The cost is to 250 dollars. No more expansive for Arnie. The first
object he really possess.
Furiously of the Arnie’s parents. Arnie don’t
say any word before that sell. Arnie get more insurance. He says he never
returned the car. This car is mine ! Unfortunately, he don’t find any
place in the street for the car during the night. So, he rent a site in a
garage. The owner of the garage, Darnell is an old grumbling man. Finally,
Darnell is fascinated by Arnie with his car. Darnie is a very good tinker man
and he likes Christine. He makes it as it was new. The car looks red, a brilliant
red. Red, color of blood and passion.
With this car, Arnie becomes successfull. His
friend Dennis watch Arnie arriving at a football match with Leigh. And Arnie is
kissing Leigh with tenderness.
During the match, Dennis is wounded. Arnie goes
to the hospital to see him. Then, he goes to the cinema with Leigh ! A
drive-in cinema. Arnie and Leigh stay in the cars. It’s raining. So, Arnie get
out of the car to repair a screenwiper. At this moment, something strange
happen. The auto radio is on without any reason. A brilliant light shines into
the car. And Leigh suffocates as hands tightened his neck. Distraction for her and
for Arnie. Arnie tries to open the door. But it’s impossible. The door is
locked ! Another person will be necessary to save Leigh in-extremis.
Since this moment, all is different. Leigh is
affraid of Christine. Leigh refuses to go into the car. She is in love with
Arnie. She wants to see him. At cinema, they kissed them. The movie becomes
fantastic. Christine’s power seems illimited. So, back to the garage, Arnie
stands in front of Christine and says to "her" : OK show me what you can do.
And … this is incredible !
The spectator feels Christine as a sentimental
person. That is the confused reason of the attitude of Leigh about the car. In
fact, Leigh is jalous (of a car …) Arnie is the typically masculin
fantasm : the melting between a man and his machine. With Christine, Arnie
is a different person. He desires the beautiful Leigh. But, he is more busy
with the very nice Christine.
And Christine seems worry about Arnie. She is
very agressive with all are in trouble with Arnie. So, inspector Junkins (Harry
Dean Stanton) come to ask questions to Arnie. What he was doing at the moments
which Christine has be seen by witnesses ?..
A movie by the prolific and unequal John
Carpenter. Christine is better than a simple teen-movie. It’s also a
distressed, fantastic and suspense movie. Very special ambiance. The direction
is very good (actors, and art of Carpenter to create characters). Most
important scenes are absolutely mute : proof of talent. All is done with
picture, colours, light and music (rock of the 50’). Obviously, the principal
character is Christine, as she was a human person. As the truck in Duel by
Steven Spielberg. Logical association : the spectator never sees the
driver of Christine (when she is furious) as the driver of the truck in Duel.
And the spectator sees Christine going back to the garage, one night, with big
smoke, as a furious animal. Very strong and evident picture. No needs to say
anything with that. It’s not a masterpiece. Too much "manicheen". But evident
qualities and unforgettable pictures. Better than a simply kind movie. The
spectator is enjoy to see how Arnie getting insurance with that car. It’s a revenge for all opressed people in the
world.
U.S.A. ©1983 1h45 ****
DVD bought used. The
charming saleswoman named Christine…