Wednesday, August 31, 2011

To Die For

There are a number of movies based on real-life crimes (Zodiac, Monster) and there's a handful of movies where a crime is a major influence on them (Psycho, Dog Day Afternoon). If you're wondering, To Die For falls under the latter category.

It's based on the Pamela Smart case. Smart seduced her teenage lover into killing her husband, which he did. It's a juicy case to read up on, so I don't blame screenwriter Buck Henry for having a desire to turn it into a movie.

Nicole Kidman's Suzanne Stone is determined to get on TV, even if it means working as a weather girl for the local TV station of the aptly name town of Little Hope, New Hampshire. Her wardrobe looks like the 1950's threw up on her (same goes for her sense of decorating) and she always has a smile on her face as though she's forever on camera. Too bad neither her husband Larry (Matt Dillon) or her teenage lover Jimmy (Joaquin Phoenix) could see through her phony facade.

Oh man, To Die For is really funny. A tad too dark in some scenes, but it was fun to watch. Kidman's delightfully wicked performance is definitely the highlight, but I also liked Phoenix (though it looked like he was trying to channel his brother River). All in all, I liked it.

My Rating: ****
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5 comments:

  1. Andrew K.August 31, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Great film, and even better because of the fine performances. Not just Nicole (who is superlative) but a young Joaquin and Casey who are both hilarious. Joaquin especially.

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  2. CherokeeSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:34 AM

    This is a Gus van Sant film that I need to see, and I need to see it pronto.

    I have never been a fan of Nicole Kidman, really, but I am sure van Sant + Matt Dillon + Joaquin Phoenix + Casey Affleck is already a too good to be true set of director/actors.

    Glad you liked it, makes me more amped to watch it now.

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  3. NikhatSeptember 1, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    I love this film...it's so witty and dark. Nicole Kidman is so attractive in it. She reminds me of Norma Desmond in this...especially the shot of her going to the press.

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  4. "Yojimbo_5"September 1, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Terrific film, although Kidman is just a shade 'toonish in it. This was the movie where everybody started raising their eyebrows and thinking of her more than "Mrs. Tom Cruise." I knew better. I'd seen "Dead Calm."

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  5. ChipOctober 31, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    This is the movie that showed me Nicole Kidman was more than just a pretty face; that she could really act. She did a great job in it.

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