PRETTY PERSUASION
US, 2006, 104 minutes, Colour.
Evan Rachel Wood, Ron Livingston, Adi Schnall, Elizabeth Harnois, Jane Krakowski.
Directed by Marco Siega.
The young star of this rather acidic satire, Evan Rachel Wood, is pretty but the film’s themes are definitely not.
What looks like a high school drama with problems in a dysfunctional family (and it is) turns into something much more. Wood’s portrayal of young Kimberley Joyce can be quickly compared to Nicole Kidman’s cheerfully ruthless TV weather presenter in To Die For (and Emily Barclay’s completely amoral teenage manipulator in Suburban Mayhem). But Kimberley is far more intelligent, far more devious, far more self-confident on the surface while carrying enormous chips on her shoulder. She wreaks havoc on all those around her.
We first see her with a Muslim student at a rather exclusive Beverly Hills high school. Her language sounds genial, friendly and tolerant but is unselfconsciously patronising, even racist. And when we meet her slob of a father (James Wood) who mouthes so much bigotry while urging his daughter not to be racist – but be honest – it is no wonder. Kimberley has a best friend, Brittany (what else?) who is now dating the school jock and could be the star of the school play as Anne Frank. Kimberley is always accommodating and sexually precocious – but we know that deep down… and we are appalled as she sets about destroying everyone by instigating her friends to accuse the English teacher (Ron Livingston) of sexual harassment and take him to court. What happens has to be seen to be believed.
This is very black satire, very cleverly done. We are sometimes aghast at what the characters are saying, outrageous politically incorrect statements that make one smile as well as make one disgusted. The film is well acted, intelligently written, the writer, Skander Halim, coming from Montreal with a Dutch mother and Bangladeshi father who could well have experienced some of the mishaps he includes in this bitterly funny
1. The immediate impact of the film? As a drama? As character portraits? As exploitation? As satire?
2. The town, homes, businesses, the high school, classrooms, offices? Realistic atmosphere? Musical score?
3. The moral perspective of the film, the focus on Kimberley, her manipulative behaviour, unscrupulous, with her father, with her friends, with the teacher? Audiences unsympathetic to her, her ability to charm people, challenge the audience, have them on her side?
4. Kimberley, her age, background, her father and his manner, language, unscrupulous, anti-racism? His influence on his daughter? Expectations of her? Her stepmother and Kimberley putting her down? Brittany and the other friends, wanting the role of Anne Frank, Brittany getting the role? Her plotting against the teacher, spying, the information, inciting her friends? Denunciation, the principal of the school, the police? The courts?
5. Brittany, a character, following Kimberley, naive, collaboration, theatre, the role of Anne Frank? Kimberley his jealousy? Her collusion with Kimberley, against the English teacher, the consequences? Adi, from the Middle East, becoming part of Kimberley’s group, supportive, the effect on her?
6. Kimberley’s father, his work, at home, relationship with his new wife? Her attitude, to her husband, to Kimberley, long-suffering?
7. The teacher, his personality, at school, at home with his wife, the sexual relationship? His being the target of attack? His reaction, the consequences? The police?
8. The court, truth and fabrication, attacks, victimisation? The effect of the teacher?
9. Kimberley, the end, her behaviour, sexual behaviour, her age and experience and inexperience, manipulative, the consequences?
