Although "Sisters" (1973) is often cited as Brian De Palma's first feature-length thriller, it is not: "Murder à la Mod" owns that title, although it is as much a slapstick comedy and an experimental / "underground" film as it is a thriller. Technically rough around the edges, at times confusing, and with some comic sequences that don't really work, the film nevertheless boasts some impressive camerawork, appealing performances by the two unknown female leads (for one of whom this was her only screen appearance), a pitch-black sense of humor, one of the weirdest characters in screen history (Otto - possibly inspired by Harpo Marx), and - above all - does some amazing things with the chronology of events which predate "Pulp Fiction" by 26 years! And given that Quentin Tarantino is a big Brian De Palma fan, listing 2 of his films ("Blow Out" and "Carrie") among his top 10 of all time, I certainly think it is highly likely that he has not only seen "Murder à la Mod" but he also had it in mind, among other films of course, when he made "Pulp Fiction". **1/2 out of 4.
Review of Murder à la Mod
