Review of To Die For (1995) by La L — 24 May 2004

[color=yellowgreen]Neither of these movies was what I thought they would be. VERY dark comedy, with some sick and twisted humor- I knew that was coming. But bizarre, creepy, or confusing plot twists or scenes were not expected. Thought there was more sex and fame to [i]TDF[/i] than small town murder and a (very surprising) Mafia hit. Thought there were less creepy Matthew Broderick sex scenes in [i]Election[/i] and more crazed, bitchy Reese Witherspoon. Was she supposed to be hated? I certainly didn't hate her, she was power hungry and vicious, but she worked hard. Emily and I figured the moral was, Chris Klein was the good honest guy, who didn't want to hurt anyone and truly wanted to do some good. That's why he lost. Elections go to deceitful, lying, conniving people. Or whatever. [/color].

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[color=yellowgreen]-Also, I felt a little Monica Lewinsky reference happening with the Lisa character, who left her lesbian girlfriend for the up-and-*ahem*coming Paul..whether it was before or after the scandal, it fits.-[/color].

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[color=#9acd32]And [i]To Die For[/i]? There was obviously a lot of television media bitterness happening, and mockery of obsession with fame (This movie could certainly be a hit today, with reality shows telling everyone that they can be on TV and be a star). However, a lot of it was sad, particularly the cruel treatment of Joaquin Phoenix's character, and the senseless death of Suzanne's husband. Was the point that fame is fleeting? That one minute you're in the news for killing your husband, and then you're dead? I don't really know, but it was a strange little film...almost made you feel bad for her, ALMOST, but I know people like that, who think they're truly going somewhere and they're really just stuck in a small town with big town aspirations, and it's kind of scary and delusional...so I understood that aspect. [/color].

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[color=#9acd32]I didn't particularly like either of these movies, but they get just above a rotten rating because they both, at times, made Emily and I laugh, and had some great camera stuff happening (freeze frames in [i]Election[/i], the journalistic narrative of [i]To Die For[/i]). Nicole Kidman was very good, I think the best I've seen her, really, because she actually acted. She wasn't some boring, quiet Southern belle ([i]Cold Mountain[/i])...and don't even get me started on her overrated [i]Moulin Rouge![/i] performance. In this, she was conniving, sweet, innocent, evil, genuine, and fake all at once. Joaquin was heartbreaking. [i]Election- [/i]Reese Witherspoon was over the top and amusing as usual, very [i]Legally Blonde[/i] but funny. And Chris Klein was adorably genuine and dumb jock-ish. [/color].

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[color=#9acd32]Emily and I are getting through my movies list. Suddenly she has no homework, so we actually get to hang out. :) We saw Shrek 2 the other night, no need to review it- I cracked up constantly, a laugh every five seconds, even my mom was laughing out loud which is hard to get her to do at a movie. (I saw it with the 'rents and Lauren again today.) [/color].

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[color=#9acd32]Puss In Boots stole the show. With the licking himself, cursing in Spanish, being all smooth and sexy Latin Lover (something I'm familiar with), and making that damn freakin' adorable dewy eyed face, I was totally in love.[/color].

[color=#9acd32]The little Spanish boot stomping and hat over the face thing at the end, before he sings? Priceless. OH! And of course, when he says they're going to the "Keet" Kat Club. I work there! ;-) Come visit Helga, Puss. [/color].