06/08/06 Pretty Persuasion

Pretty Persuasion (2005), directed by Marcos Siega

watched w/ Leslie; DVD rental (Netflix) @ home

Manipulation is the name of the game...and offensively taking no prisoners in the search for fame and notoriety...well that's just bonus points. Evan Rachel Wood plays Kimberly (well, how can I put this delicatley?...) a conniving bitch at a posh Beverly Hills high school, who knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. In her quest for acting fame, she enlists of her so-called friends to devise an evil scheme to bring the glamour of news cameras to their safe haven school. Playing the role of a tempting seductress (she's only a sophomore here mind you), she struts her nubile young body as bait into the minds of the push-over teachers and authority figures that stand in her way. Wanting to gain her fame, and all the while back-stab her "friend" as retribution for being hurt, Kimberly sets in motion accusations of sexual harassment by a certain helpful teacher (Ron Livingston) upon the young girls in school, that send the town into a tizzy. She plays on her friends insecurities to control their every move; into the arms of a lustful lesbian TV anchorwoman that seeks fame as much as Kimberly does; and with the help of horrible influence from her bigoted father (James Woods) bares her prejudiced views for sake of being noticed. All of this before fourth period! Taking the girls, the teacher, and the whole town for one theatrical ride into courtroom drama...Kimberly gets exactly what she wants. She just doesn't care what any emotional consequences will be upon delivery. Think the wicked mentality of "Heathers," mixed with the devious fame-hungry "Election" and a dash of the ego-maniacal nature in "Ferris Bueller." It's a great performance from North Carolina native Wood, and bodes well for the state's educational system. Next to last in SAT scores, but on top in sexual manipulation. Don't think bad thoughts with the schoolgirl outfits either!

4 out of 5 stars