POISON IVY
A film review by Ken Johnson
Copyright 1993 Ken Johnson
93 min., not rated, Drama, 1992
Director: Katt Shea Ruben
Cast: Tom Skerritt, Sara Gilbert, Drew Barrymore, Cheryl Ladd,
Leonardo DiCaprio
Sara Gilbert lives in a dysfunctional family with her rich father Tom Skerritt and her mother Cheryl Ladd. Ladd is dying and has given up on life. Tramp Drew Barrymore, Ivy, shows up in Gilbert's life and befriends her. Barrymore moves in with Gilbert and becomes 'one of the family'. Barrymore wants all that Gilbert has and tries to get it from her.
POISON IVY was released in the theaters back in March or May of 1992 when I was in New York, but was unable to see it at that time. When I got back to where I live, I waited for a theater around here to get it, but no one did. It was just released on video cassette this month, so I rented it as soon as possible. I hoped that it would be a good film, considering how long I had waited to see it, and it was. I highly suggest that you try and rent this film, just be sure that you get this version and not the earlier television film POISON IVY, which is a totally different film and is also on video cassette. On a scale of zero to five, I give POISON IVY a five. POISON IVY is released in two versions, an unrated version (which I believe is the European version) that runs for 93 minutes and contains explicit language, adult situations, and brief female nudity, and an R rated version that runs for 91 minutes and, I believe, is missing the scene of brief female nudity.
Sara Gilbert ("Roseanne") gives a great performance as the 'victim' of this film. She shows that she can give a dramatic performance and could very possibly have a chance at a good film career. Drew Barrymore ("2000 Malibu Road," FAR FROM HOME) is obviously the highlight of this film, and probably will be the biggest draw to audiences. Her performance is excellent and she is very convincing as the tramp who shows up in Sara Gilbert's life and slowly ruins it. Tom Skerritt seems to just be along for a free ride in this film. He isn't on screen for much of the film, and when he is, his acting is good, but not excellent. Cheryl Ladd, although she is on the screen for less time than Tom Skerritt, gives a depressing, but exceptional performance.
POISON IVY is an interesting movie that is well written. The characters are interesting and the movie flows along smoothly. The direction, by Katt Shea Ruben is excellent. I think this is Katt Shea Ruben's best film since STREETS. Through the combined effort of everybody involved in this film, they have taken what could have ended up as just another B movie and made it into a great film that is definitely worth watching.
-------- Ken Johnson blj@mithrandir.cs.unh.edu
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