Review of Jawbreaker (1999) by Keith M — 29 Oct 2018

Jawbreaker, the directorial debut of Darren Stein, loses energy as it progresses. The first half-hour is engrossing, the second half-hour is uneven, and the third half-hour is barely adequate. Along the way, Stein (who also wrote the screenplay) takes some knowing swipes at the culture of high school cliques, and what it means to be popular or unpopular.

For some, having a social standing at school is irrelevant, but for others, it's all-important. Everything that Courtney, Julie, and Marcie do, including giving a nerd a makeover and letting her into their inner circle, is designed to protect their status.

The actors are all adequate and this is a good high school film in the mold of heathers and mean girls although not as great as either.