To Die For (1995)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Fresh and Exciting

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Nicole Kidman is right on target in this notable dark comedy, an adaptation of the Joyce Maynard novel which was itself inspired by a notorious real life story. Nicole, looking absolutely ravishing throughout, is a completely self-serving sociopath named Suzanne Stone who's simply hellbent on achieving her personal American dream of being a TV personality. When she realizes that her nice guy husband Larry (Matt Dillon, in a solid change of pace performance) is going to be an obstacle in her path, she turns on the heat and convinces dumb as dirt, lovelorn teenager Jimmy Emmett (Joaquin Phoenix, in his breakthrough performance) to bump off Larry. She then proceeds to play to the media to her hearts' content.22 years later, this film version remains pretty damn relevant, in the era of reality television where just about any person can become a celebrity for no really good reason, and fame & fortune is still seen as a worthwhile goal. Working from a screenplay by actor Buck Henry, director Gus Van Sant gives us a thoroughly absorbing film with a fair amount of ideas to mull over. Just like any good dark comedy, it's funny in a twisted sort of way. I'm sure some people who've followed the story, or read the book, or seen the movie, must know one or more people like Suzanne Stone.An exceptional cast full of familiar faces is the real drawing card: Phoenix, Casey Affleck as his degenerate "friend", Alison Folland as the awkward girl who hangs out with the two of them, Dan Hedaya and Maria Tucci as Larry's parents, Kurtwood Smith and Holland Taylor as Suzannes' folks, Tim Hopper and Michael Rispoli as investigating detectives, Wayne Knight as the manager of a local TV station, and especially Illeana Douglas as Larry's sister, a cynical sort who has Suzanne pegged right early on. Making cameo appearances are author Maynard (as Suzannes' lawyer), screenwriter Henry (as a huffy teacher), and filmmaker David Cronenberg as the mysterious man at the lake. Kidman is a marvel as she really struts her stuff for the camera.Ultimately, one does feel somewhat sorry for Jimmy when it's seen just how pathetic he really is. He's just one of many characters who get jerked around by Suzanne, a master manipulator if ever there was one.Eight out of 10.

This film has a great cast. Nicole Kidman, who plays Suzanne Stone Maretto, is amazing in this film. Talk about committing to a role! So why do I feel so lukewarm about the film? Maybe because it is considered a black comedy, but I find little funny in it. More probably because the story is not very compelling. We have seen other films with this basic premise. I think it is easy to lapse in caricatures when filming a black comedy. In this case, some characters did feel like caricatures while others seemed totally real. The juxtaposition of those two types of entities is distracting.It has been suggested that "To Die For" is a satire that skewers reality TV and the idea that television grants importance to a person or subject. The director hits the viewer over the head trying to sell that theme. But that's not how I perceive the story, which feels more like a character study.The structure of the film, while interesting, eventually proves tiring. Interspersing montage, faux interviews and a documentary-style is innovative, but they undercut the scenes that are straight narrative.This is not a grest film. It is not one of the season's best. But it is interesting. I would view this film just to watch Nicole Kidman walk her tightrope of a performance and deliver a memorable portrayal.

Great movie by Gus van Zant. Clever, darkly funny script. Deft direction.Now for the weird thing: it stars Nicole Kidman. Yes, a great Nicole Kidman movie. That is normally oxymoronic, here it isn't. (She has made two other good movies - Dogville and Birthday Girl). Kidman's performance is wickedly brilliant. The supporting cast are equally good - Matt Dillon in his usual blokey sort of role is solid. Joaquin Phoenix, in one of his earliest movie roles, shows the talent that later got him two Oscar nominations. Casey Affleck also appears in one of his earliest roles (and demonstrates more acting ability than his brother has in any of his movies).In short, a great comedy-thriller-drama.

Suzanne Stone Maretto (Nicole Kidman) is a TV weathergirl and an infamous tabloid sensation suspected of enticing teenagers Jimmy Emmett (Joaquin Phoenix), Lydia Mertz (Alison Folland) and Russel Hines (Casey Affleck) to kill her husband Larry Maretto (Matt Dillon). She is driven and would stop at nothing to achieve fame. His sister Janice (Illeana Douglas) didn't like cold Suzanne from the start.It has the noir style with characters doing interviews with the camera. Director Gus Van Sant has more style than a simple narrative. Talking directly into the camera adds to this dark comedy. It is the performance of Nicole Kidman that is the most interesting. She can be sweet and innocent in one moment. Then she's manipulative and ambitious the next. She delivers one of her best performances ever. It is a dark indictment of the modern obsession for fame.