Review of Pretty Persuasion (2005) by Douglas M — 05 Oct 2007

The DVD blurb describes it's main character as "Worldly wise, wickedly cruel and wildly sexy-beyond-her-years", a sentence that could easily be attached the movie itself. This wise and cruelly sexual tale follows Kimberly (Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen) as she sucks in her best friends, her school and her entire community to her devilish plan aimed squarely at propelling her own fame.

We are introduced to an upper class' private school full of typically beautiful rich students, befuddled teachers and dysfunctional families all with failings and secrets. We are shown this world by Kimberly as she introduces new student Randa to a warped version of how things are. Things are presented in a clearly odd way, but subtle enough that at first appearance things could just be the way Kimberly dresses them up to be. It is only as the drama unfolds, both chronologically and with clever use of doubling back, that we see that everything is part of Kimberly's master plan.

The films story is cleverly woven through with some excellent acting and good pacing throughout. Each character we meet, from teacher Mr Anderson (Ron Livingston, Body Shots, Band of Brothers) to Kimberly's racist, sexist absent father (played by arguably the stand out of the picture James Woods, Videodrome, Shark) is superbly and masterfully toyed with by our main character as she leads her two friends in a sexual assault accusation which tears the characters lives apart, all except of course, Kimberly's herself.

With a hurtling climax reached after more twists than a Blackpool Pleasure Beach flume you are sure to find this film engaging and enthralling throughout. Some beautiful shots serving to accent the films excellent plot and standout performances. Fiendish, harsh and sexual, pretty persuasion is one thing you wont need to watch this film twice.