Jawbreaker (film)
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| Jawbreaker | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover for Jawbreaker |
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| Directed by | Darren Stein |
| Produced by | Stacy Kramer |
| Written by | Darren Stein |
| Starring | Rose McGowan Rebecca Gayheart Julie Benz Judy Greer |
| Music by | Stephen Endelman |
| Cinematography | Amy Vincent |
| Editing by | Troy Takaki |
| Distributed by | TriStar Pictures |
| Release date(s) | February 19, 1999 |
| Running time | 87 min. |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $3.5 million |
| IMDb profile | |
Jawbreaker is a 1999 comedy directed by Darren Stein. Although targeted towards a teen audience, the film's darker elements set it apart from others in the teen film genre. It was released February 19, 1999. The film stars Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz, and Judy Greer as girls in a clique that is at the top of the feeding order in their local high school.
[edit] Plot
There's a wicked clique in Reagan High School, Los Angeles. Cursed with beauty, dark wit and cold charisma, the girls in the pack are making their way up the social ladder, leaving casualties in their path. That is, until a mindless birthday prank leaves Liz Purr choked to death with a jawbreaker, still in her bra and panties, in the trunk of a car. The girls responsible for the grisly (yet accidental) murder are Courtney (Rose McGowan), the cold hearted leader; Marcie (Julie Benz), the adoring follower; and Julie (Rebecca Gayheart). Courtney insists on covering up the murder, making it look as if Liz had died from wild sex in her bedroom. Stumbling upon the dark plot is school outcast Fern (Judy Greer); to buy Fern's silence, Courtney accepts Fern into the clique, transforming her into beautiful exchange student "Vylette." Disgusted and horrified with her friends' actions, Julie, the only one with remorse, leaves the group, only to be targeted by her former friends. Julie watches in mute horror as Courtney spins a web of lies, betrayal and manipulation to cover up the murder and to ensure her popularity. Julie finds the recording card she was fiddling with when Courtney was faking Liz's death (containing the message. "I killed Liz. I killed the teen dream. Deal with it") among a bag of Liz's possesions she was given. She and her boyfriend broadcast this card at the school Prom when Courtney is made Prom Queen, and this brings her demise. Dark, edgy, yet still teenage, the movie obviously pays homage to the 1989 dark comedy Heathers. It has also been compared to other teenage movies such as Clueless and Carrie.
[edit] Cast
- Rose McGowan as Courtney Alice Shane
- Rebecca Gayheart as Julie Freeman
- Julie Benz as Marcie Fox
- Judy Greer as Fern Mayo/Vylette
- Pam Grier as Detective Vera Cruz
- Ethan Erickson as Dane Sanders
- Chad Christ as Zack Tartak
- Charlotte Ayanna as Elizabeth 'Liz' Purr
[edit] Trivia
- Marilyn Manson makes a guest appearance as the man with whom Courtney has sex in Liz's bed.
- PJ Soles and William Katt, who play Mr. and Mrs. Purr, have both appeared in movie versions of Stephen King's Carrie.
- California rock band The Donnas appears as the band playing at the prom.
