Blow Up, an adaptation of Julio Cortázar’s short story “Las babas del diablo” is the first English Movie directed by legendary Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni. Antonio is known for making mood pieces. Film critic Arthur Night, wrote that Blow Up ,is a defining movie, in the vein of Oscar Welles’ Citizen Kane. Antonioni’s masterpiece would influence the works of other great directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Brian De Palma.

While it is considered an Avant garde, mystery film, ‘Blow Up’ extends itself above and beyond to be considered a Psychological Thriller, fantasy film, and so much more. It even defines some genres that no one had previously envisioned. It is a movie experience ,that will leave an impact on its viewers for decades to come.

It is important to set the context of this film, before we look at its plot. The movie is set in the Swinging London of the 60s. While the Hippie and Pop culture flourished in the US, an equivalent counter culture, Mod(Modernist) or Underground took shape in the UK.

The culture saw the emergence of both pop and rock music. Iconic rock bands like the Beatles, the Rolling stones and the Yardbirds appeared in this era. New trends like the mini skirt, were redefining fashion. It was also a period of hedonism and drugs. ‘Swinging London’ was considered the center of this movement. Blow Up gives us a bird’s eye view into this era.

As the movie begins, the imagery in the first few minutes is adequate to announce that we are in for a treat, and that it is no mundane film. The stunning photography of this movie, is the work legendary cinematographer Carlo De Palma.

The opening scene features a minibus full of loud and rowdy youngsters, dressed up as mimes, riding through streets of London. The youth, prowl the street causing commotion and seem to be enjoying themselves.Despite being boisterous, the youth are not violent and simply causing a noisy ruckus on the street. Each frame is a snapshot in time, showing homes, buildings and passerbys of 60s London, as the van makes its way.

Soon, a vintage Rolls Royce convertible appears on scene, and in it, is a young man wearing casual, but trendy clothes. The young man is revealed to be Thomas, a successful photographer. David Hemmings who plays Thomas, portrays one of the most unique personalities, ever seen in on screen.

Thomas is handsome, arrogant, hedonistic and misogynistic. He seems to be living the life, that most young men would covet. He is seen entering a very unique fashion studio, talking down to the beautiful models who are vying for his attention, as he makes his way for a photo-shoot with supermodel Veruschka (playing herself). He then commences his next photo shoot with a handful of models, but suddenly walks away, leaving the models, shocked and upset.

Thomas seems upset at everything and nothing, indicating an underlying feeling of ennui for what is his mundane life.

He disregards his other engagements for the day, and abruptly leaves, after some banter with one of his colleagues. Two aspiring models accost him outside the studio, and ask to be photographed, but Thomas rudely pushes them away He rides across London, stops at an antique shop, perhaps hoping to find something to arose his interest. He buys an antique propeller from the store and asks them to have it delivered immediately.

Next, Thomas meets his agent Ron at a restaurant, and hands the latter a photo album with artistic photographs of regular people in various settings. Thomas is working with Ron, to create a book of photographs. He then impulsively drives to Marlon Park , parks his car and steps out, camera in hand.

He makes his way across the park, taking photos of some people and birds. Yes, the movie is a slow burner and the plot ambles along at this pace. However, the visuals on screen are adequate to keep the viewer engaged. David then sees a couple, a man and woman prancing across the lawn embracing and holding hands.

He takes a number of photos of them. When Thomas notices that woman(Vanessa Redgrave) has caught him photographing herself and her mate, he quickly makes his way to the car. She catches up to him, and demands that he gives her the film and is upset that Thomas has invaded her privacy. The man who was with her is nowhere in sight.

Thomas, ever the bully, refuses and arrogantly plays cruel mind games on her, and makes it clear that he is in charge. He then drives away. He returns to the studio and to his surprise, finds the woman at the door of the studio. He lets her in the studio and the two of them indulge in some weird game of flirtation. The woman who identifies as Jane, does not reveal anything about herself and demands that Thomas must hand the film of her with her mate, to her.

Immature Thomas tricks Jane, by giving her another roll of film and sends her away. The two aspiring models that Thomas met outside the studio, earlier return begging for a shoot. This time Thomas and the two of them play a weird version of roughhouse, until Thomas is bored and send them away again, claiming that he will do a photo shoot with them, the following day.

Now, curious about why the woman wants roll of film so desperately, Tomas, starts to develop the film roll. He slowly notices someone else hiding in the bushes in some of the photos. One of the photos also seems to reveal this mysterious person, point a gun at the couple.

Thomas, thinking that he has prevented a murder, calls Ron and tells him about his encounter at the park. No longer bored, Thomas is now completely absorbed, in uncovering, what he thinks is a mystery. That night, he returns to the same spot park and finds the lifeless corpse of the man who was with Jane earlier in the day. Stranger things happen when Thomas returns to the studio.

Thomas is now fully engaged . The rest of the plot is about how Thomas tries to solve the puzzle behind these strange happenings. The climax and ending are both unique and profound, and blur the lines of fantasy and reality.

Many themes from Hitchcock like voyeurism, illusion and more are presented in this film, but with a finessed, artistic touch. This movie may not be for everyone, as the plot unlike the cinematography, moves slowly. For those looking for a movie that breaks conventional plot lines or for scintillating visuals, this movie will be an unforgettable experience. Last but not the least, the acting in the movie cannot be overstated. David Hemmings’ performance as Thomas is spectacular. He occupies most of the frames in the movie and dominates the movie. Vanessa Redgraves also holds her own and Sarah Miles is impressive in a supporting role. The supporting cast, of also puts in an excellent performance. While Blow Up was known for its ‘explicit nudity’ for its time, the few scenes that display flesh seem mild compared to contemporary films.

As mentioned before, this movie opens a window into Swinging London, and presents snapshots of the Underground subculture, its prevalent practices, like hedonism, and drug use, its fashion trends, and its music. Actual personalities like fashion icon Veruschka and the members of the legendary rock band, the Yardbirds, add more reality to the movie in playing themselves. I would advise all my readers, especially movie lovers to seek out and watch this epic movie.

I could not help but notice the similarity this plot had with American Psycho, another of my favorite movies. In both cases, there is an element of ennui(boredom), in the lead character who seems to be leading the dream life. The endings, while different are comparable. The underlying messages, also are close, if not the same.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowup

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_underground

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo_Antonioni

https://www.allmovie.com/artist/michelangelo-antonioni-vn6778386

https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/blowup-michelangelo-antonioni-london-locations

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/apr/21/blown-up-how-cinema-captured-the-dark-heart-of-the-swinging-60s

https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/photos/2011/04/the-making-of-blow-up-201104

https://groovyhistory.com/what-was-swinging-london-60s-uk-mod-fashion

https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/about/photographs-collection/national-photographic-record/blow-up-sixties