Christine Review

MPAA Rating: R
Released: 1983

Film adaptations of Stephen King's novels have always been a hit or miss affair; some would even argue that there have been far more misses. Director John Carpenter (Halloween, Escape From New York) bucked the trend with his quality adaptation of Christine, a twisted love story about a needy nerd and an evil car that has an inner life of her own…

Hell hath no Fury like a woman scorned...

As the opening credits scroll by George Thorogood's Bad to the Bone blares through the speakers, an appropriate choice of music given the scene. The year is 1958 and the setting is a car factory where workers are putting the finishing touches on a processing line of Plymouths. One Plymouth Fury in particular stands out from the rest: a dazzling red one that wounds a worker and kills another. Unlike its inanimate peers, this red Fury possesses an inner life and mean intentions.

Fast forward to the year 1978 where we are introduced to Arnie Cunningham (Keith Gordon), a nerdy high school student that tries to be popular but is only met with derision and/or bullying from most. His only real friend is Dennis Guilder (John Stockwell), a popular athlete that is a complete mismatch with his awkward buddy.

One day while the two are driving home from school they pass a yard that contains a Plymouth Fury for sale. Despite the fact that the car is completely rusted and trashed, Arnie falls in love it immediately and is determined to purchase it. The seller is a bit too glad to be rid of the car, which we learn was given the name Christine. Perhaps this is due to a history of tragic deaths associated with those who got too close to the car… deaths the seller neglects to inform the excited Arnie about.

Arnie pours his heart, soul and every spare dollar he has in restoring the classic car, but the car restructures her new owner as much as he restores her. The once geeky student becomes infused with a new conviction and confidence, earning him more respect from his peers and a lovely new girlfriend, Leigh Cabot (Alexandra Paul). But Christine isn't one to share Arnie's love and attention… a fact that Leigh, Dennis and Christine's increasing number of victims soon discover.

It's inevitable that a good deal of source material must be edited out when transferring a book to film, and Christine is no different; a good deal of the car's history and character development has been cut from the adaptation. That being said, John Carpenter deftly retained the essence of the novel, giving the car an unnatural life. Through brilliant music choices (via the radio) and skilled camera work, the car conveys more emotion than some of the live actors!

The special effects in the film are absolutely outstanding, given the fact that in 1983 directors couldn't resort to using fake CGI. Christine is repeatedly beaten and destroyed throughout the film, sometimes due to her enemies and other times due to self-inflicted crashes as she seeks out her victims. Each time the demonic car is able to repair itself to its original flawless condition, and this is captured perfectly on camera in a realistic manner.

Keith Gordon put in a great performance as Arnie Cunningham; he begins the film timid and meek, but slowly evolves into an arrogant individual almost as menacing as the car he owns. Such transitions can be difficult to convincingly portray, but you wouldn't know it watching Gordon. The supporting actors range from outstanding (Robert Prosky and Harry Dean Stanton) to acceptable (John Stockwell and Alexandra Paul).

Christine retains a creepy tension throughout the film without resorting to the use of graphic blood and gore; there's actually very little to be seen. Were it not for the language, it's probable that this movie would have been rated PG. The lack of visceral punch may disappoint some viewers, but ultimately it keeps the focus on the movie's strengths: its dark atmosphere and unique killer car storyline.

Movie rating : 8 stars

If you enjoyed Christine you may also find the following films to be of interest:

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