Nowwww...It's My Turn!

I always sort of find a place in May for Lynch’s Prom Night (1980). Just recently, my nephew, who is actually so smart he’ll be graduating early -- a marvelous feat since he had a brain tumor and spent time at St. Jude’s -- had his Prom as a Junior. My daughter will be in her first Prom next year, so this film is really sort of resonating with me, though it is from a period so special to Disco enthusiasts, slasher enthusiasts, Jamie Lee Curtis fans, and many of those in their twilight years reliving their youth in the late 70s/early 80s. I’ve spent extensive time writing about this film in the past -- Prom Night critics would probably feel way too much undeserved time -- but it just has this *something* about it that left this attachment. Oh, it’s far from my favorite, but Prom Night has a special place in my heart, I guess. Just recently I watched Hell Night, the Linda Blair spooky house flick from 1981, and that same sort of feeling was there. I think it has something to do with my mother who would have been Blair and Curtis’ age at that time, give or take a few years. It is like seeing her at the Prom or attending a college party, I think. I know she would listen to Disco a lot on vinyl when I was a kid in the early 80s. When I write I like to keep the Synapse blu main screen on, Jamie and Casey just Disco dancing while the remaining teenagers watch them, the popular song (titled Prom Night) ongoing, sort of as background music. I think I included that on the post as a bit of fun. I also took a snap of Jamie and Casey practicing for the Prom, the ceremony of accepting the crown as king and queen, because I really liked how Lynch shot Eddie Benton and David Mucci looking on from a window with the curtain pulled back. Benton and Mucci plotting to make what should have been a memorable night for Curtis and Casey a miserable experience, I just thought that shot was perfect. Still, to this day, that final scene where Curtis realizes her brother is a killer, that she hit her brother with an ax, brother and sister locking eyes in horror, shock, and ultimately grief, and Curtis holding his head in her hands as she relives what happened to their sister as he dies is an emotional gut punch...it is still very potent. But I remain just grateful I snatched up that Synapse blu of the film...as mentioned before, Prom Night is like a brand new film. That first time watching Prom Night after receiving the blu was such a rich experience. My daughter told me she wanted to watch this with me...next year when it is her prom, I think that would be ideal.

One more thing: I LOVE how this film produces a real high school feel. And I like that this is basically one long day and night. I know plenty dislike Prom Night. I read where it just doesn’t land for them. I get they are bored, wanting something more. That’s cool. I was that way when I first watched it. I couldn’t understand why Leslie Nielsen was “so wasted”. Now, of course, I don’t need to see him as Frank from Police Squad. He was a suffering father doing the best he could for his grieving wife and family. I do remember thinking as a young teen that this should have been gorier, more potent and shocking. But today I’m just fine with it. But I totally understand why it is considered overrated and undeserved of such popularity to this day. I felt that way myself once. I just don’t anymore. And I’m delighted I have this the way it should be seen thanks to Synapse.