TO DIE FOR
A film review by Ben Hoffman
Copyright 1995 Ben Hoffman
As Jimmy Durante used to say, "Everyone wants to get into the act." TO DIE FOR is the story of Suzanne Stone (Nicole Kidman) who wanted the limelight so bad she let nothing stand in her way ... and by nothing, we mean just that.
Suzanne is married to Larry (Matt Dillon) and live in a small town. He is madly in love with her, as who would not be; she is absolutely beautiful. On the other hand, Suzanne's desire to be "somebody" moves into an obsession and Larry has become an obstacle.
Managing by coyness, aggressiveness, and her beauty, she talks a local TV station into giving her a job as their weather-person. From there she embarks on the making of a documentary at a school where the high school students hear her speak about the world of TV and the opportunities available to anyone who wants to really go for it. The purpose of her talking to her students is in fact to select some losers to do her a favor: get rid of her husband.
I must say that I was surprised by Nicole Kidman. That she was pretty was obvious but in the film, when she turns on all her sexual charms, she is stunning. Her acting in the film is right on target. That, in addition to the screenplay by the brilliant Buck Henry, make for a very entertaining film.
The students Suzanne inveigles into her scheme are played by Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck and Alison Folland.
Directed by Gus Van Sant.
2.75 bytes
4 Bytes = Superb
3 Bytes = Too good to be missed.
2 Bytes = So so.
1 Byte = Save your money.
-- Ben Hoffman
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