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Brian De Palma Retrospective: Murder a la Mod (1968)
Analyzing a debut feature is often times like finding an old photo of an acne-ridden and brace-faced friend: both images may be embarrassing relics of the past, but they still manage to reveal a developmental stage of unrealized potential. In looking at Brian De Palma’s first feature, Murder à la Mod, De Palma’s talent is evident, but is still in its nascent stage. He exposes his future interests and obsessions, but is unable to avoid clunky elements and a clichéd student-film aesthetic.