Official Site
*1/2 of ****
Rated: PG-13
Length: 95 minutes
Writers:
Phil Hay
Matt Manfredi
Director: John Stockwell
Cast:
Kirsten Dunst: Nicole Oakley
Jay Hernandez: Carlos Nuņez
Bruce Davison: Tom Oakley
Lucinda Jenney: Courtney Oakley
Rolando Molina: Hector Nunez
Taryn Manning: Maddy
of their respective owners.
Pick here to go back to main page.
Synopsis:
A reckless rich White girl meets a studious poor Mexican boy who goes to her high school. They fall for each other, and build a bond that has unforeseen internal consequences.
Review:
This movie is formulaic, and does not even live up to that at times, but the development of the two main characters does improve the results. The racial stereotyping is too preachy and illogical, but some elements are well used to highlight social differences. Much of the goings on are unreasonable, but the basic story is workable. We know they were interested in each other, but they got to be a couple too fast.
There will be no award nominations for director here. None. The writing is sub par, and left me rewriting it in my head during the screening. The acting of Bruce Davison as Mr. Oakley is good although his character is numbingly flat for most of the story. Kirsten Dunst as Nicole Oakley owns the show. She has a whole range to act through, and her ability to pull it off saves this movie from being even worse. Jay Hernandez as the boyfriend Carlos Nuņez gives a solid portrayal of his role. He does well but does have to play opposite of Dunst. Relative newcomer Taryn Manning does great as Maddy, Nicole's irrepressibly cute and energetic best friend. She appears more early in the story, and does a good job in defining the life style of her friend Nicole. Taryn Manning will also be singing one of her own original songs in the movie, but it is not on the soundtrack album. The rest of the supporting cast was weak, but so were their lines. The hair and makeup were noticeably a positive contribution to this effort. The wardrobe was certainly.... interesting. :)
This movie is worth seeing if you are a fan of Dunst or Hernandez, but otherwise it is not worth an hour and a half of a life.