VERONICA MARS
US, 2014, 107 minutes, Colour
Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring, Enrico Colantoni, Chris Lowell, Tina Majorino, Kriysten Ritter, Martin Starr, Gaby Hoffmann, Jerry O'Connell, Jamie Lee Curtis.
Directed by Rob Thomas.
Veronica Mars was a very popular television series in the first decade of the 21st century. It was a star vehicle for Kristin Bell who returns in this cinema remake, which was financed online by crowd-funding.
Veronica is in New York, being interviewed after her legal studies for a prestige job in the city, interviewed by Jamie Lee Curtis. When a friend from the past, who has been in a relationship with a singer who was with them at school, is accused of her murder, she returns back to California, reunited with her father, former policeman who is now a private eye. The sheriff, heading a corrupt unit, is hostile.
While there is a romantic aspects, the film is basically a murder investigation, probing into the past, turning up secrets from the present.
Which means that it is a popular entertainment, an expanded version of episodes of the television series, written and directed by its creator, Rob Thomas.
1. The popularity of the television series? The young private investigator? The characters and situations, investigations?
2. Cast, from the television series, developing their stories, expectations?
3. Background the city of Neptune? Veronica’s father in the police, police corruption, his being ousted, becoming a PI? Her relationship with her father, friends, relationships?
4. Veronica in New York City, the job interview, her studies, hopes, the law?
5. The news of the murder, her friend the singer, her career? Her relationship with Logan? His being a suspect? The call, the plea?
6. Logan meeting her on her return? Her father’s reaction, her reputation, the critics? Logan’s story? Her relationship with Piz, his radio work, the bond?
7. Her staying, the discussions, the investigation?
8. The corrupt police, the sheriff, his attitudes, paying off the police, then going into action, cover-ups?
9. Meeting her friends, the couple, meals, discussions, at the reunion, his turning off the video, his past membership of the gang, the police harassment, the gun, his being framed?
10. Her not wanting go to the reunion, her presence, people’s reaction, the dance, screening of the video? The range of characters, the murder, the clues, the boat, death on the boat, the Serendipity? Logan, his housemate, Dick? Gia and her marrying into politics?
11. The memories of the night, the various versions, the heavy drinking, the drowning, the issue of the anchor? Bonnie, witnessing the events, her loose
talk, her being murdered?
12. Veronica following the clues, photos and the anchor, year, observation, Colby, the sexual encounter with Gia, Gia’s plans for her fiance and politics?
13. Veronica watching from the warehouse, confronting Gia, the story of blackmail,Colby? Sexual payment?
14. Colby, his attack, his story, Veronica using her wits to confront him?
15. The solution, the relationship with Logan, Piz and his coming to the reunion, his anger, and her not returning to New York, his parents at the airport?
16. Her decision to stay in Neptune?
