Jawbreaker

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Rating 3



Written and directed by Darren Stein

Starring Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz, Judy Greer, Ethan Erickson and Pam Grier


The DVD of this film cost me 39p. That’s about 80 cents for anyone from America who happens to stumble across this site. I bought it largely because of the cast – Rebecca Gayheart and Julie Benz in particular – and also because the possibility of a film that compares favourably to the excellent ‘Mean Girls’ appealed to me.

Having watched it, I immediately watched it again.

The story is simple enough, revolving around a clique of mean girls, an accidental death and the fall out that follows the attempt to cover up the circumstances behind the death. Gayheart, Benz and Rose McGowan are great fun in the central roles – and it doesn’t seem to matter that they are all about ten years older than the characters they are playing. In fact, that just adds to the fun.

The whole cast rises to the occasion. The inclusion of Jeff Conaway (Kenickie in ‘Grease’), P J Soles (from ‘Carrie’, ‘Halloween’ and ‘Rock & Roll High School’) and Marilyn Manson in cameo roles is a nice touch. The film is dark and funny and the depths (or heights, if you prefer) to which the mean and spiteful behaviour spirals seems to have no limits.

The film has been compared to ‘Heathers’ and ‘Carrie’, as well as the likes of ‘Clueless’ and ‘Mean Girls’, but the 56 reviews collected at Rotten Tomatoes result in a dreadful 7% rating, which amazes me. I think this is a great little film and for anyone who like any or all of the films mentioned it is definitely worth checking out.



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