Review of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997) by Julia W — 12 Feb 2009

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, takes two gifted actresses who seem to have a knack for bringing out the best in each other in this film, that could've easily failed and fallen apart. Along with a great supporting crew, this movie has some hilarious dialogue, with some likable characters with heart, and not just a movie where two ditzy blondes spout off dumb jokes.

Oh yes, don't get me wrong, the dumb jokes are there, but they're not there because the movie neccesitates it, they're there because that's how these two are, while they're ditzy, they're not completely brain dead, and know that they are who they are. But they soon see that's not enough to them.

They prepare for the High School Reunion, and reflect on the past. Including the verbal and childish torture of the "A-Group", lead by Kristy Masters. And the boy who broke Romy's heart, and the guy that chased Michele althrough high school.

And of course, there was the anti-social, unpleasent Heather Mooney, hilariously played by Janeane Garofalo, in a laugh out loud performance. Also funny was the geek, Sandy Frink (played by Alan Cumming), and the over hyper geek-girl,(Carmyn Manheim).

Along the way, Romy & Michele despite having fun all these years, decide that they're not good enough to compare to there ex classmates, and decide to put on a mask, of who they think they should be rather than who they are.

Now that's what I love about this movie too, as it takes a realistic concept, of people who feel inadiquate going back to reunions, we've seen it in many movies, and it usually fails miserably. However, they handle it here, with some wit, and fresh comedy that wasn't seen in many movies at the time.

Lisa Kudrow is pretty much playing a less "out there" version of her character of Phoebe Buffay from the hit TV series "Friends". Sorvino was fresh off an Oscar winning performance in Mighty Aphrodite, (and outside a good guest apperance on "House" last year, hasn't done ANYTHING good since this movie).

And of course we get the inexplicable revenge scene, but the way it is handled, may be how it should be handled, and the final dance sequence was incredible.

This movie has an underlying theme that we sometimes feel smaller than the Lawyers, Doctor's or even millionaire's at our reunions, but if we're happy with who we are, why should we care.

I loved this movie, because it was funny, had a great plot, and took a dumb overused concept, and put it together with heart and soul.