defend the indefensible: romy and michelle's high school reunion

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed

every reaction shot lingers for a second too long, presumably to allow the audience time to laugh, but since nothing is funny, it feels like everyone is forgetting their lines.

let's see:

receptionist and unemployed buddy living in giant flat overlooking venice beach - check
oversexed hispanic garage attendent - check
irritating, unloveable characters - check

i have heard people say good things about this movie. things like "it's funny". on the strength of things like this that people say, i rented it. how bad could it be? it looked like a laugh, a slight confection to pick up the spirits on a gusty sunday evening. what followed was leaden, telegraphed, and drearily nonsensical. what the hell are people talking about?? did i mistake this movie for legally blonde somehow??

Tracer Hand, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:03 (seventeen years ago)

I liked part of it. I think it was just really satisfying to see smug high school girls become dull stay-at-home moms - just like you know the ones from your high school have. No need to invent glue for post-it notes!

Anna, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:06 (seventeen years ago)

I perhaps over identified with the characters. This is really quite a worry.

Anna, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:06 (seventeen years ago)

I haven't seen it for years and years.

Anna, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:07 (seventeen years ago)

"This dress exacerbates the generic betrayal that is my legacy."

also, the scene where one of them (can't remember which one) gets hit by the limo will always make me chuckle.

nataschakristin, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:07 (seventeen years ago)

maria loves this movie!

i like it fine.

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:07 (seventeen years ago)

i hadn't seen it but the title sounds dull and should have been a warning.

sounds like it may be good to watch this and "my big fat greek wedding" in one sitting, though.

ken c, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:08 (seventeen years ago)

this might actually be maria's 2nd favorite movie. i'll have to ask her.

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:08 (seventeen years ago)

the last time i watched this i was really, REALLY drunk and also humoring someone, so i'm sure i probably found it hilarious

given my general taste in movies i'm sure i'd probably find it hilarious stone sober

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:09 (seventeen years ago)

it's pretty funny.

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:11 (seventeen years ago)

oh shit, mira sorvino's bizarre "accent"! okay yeah this is funny

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:12 (seventeen years ago)

i think i walked around talking like that for a week

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:12 (seventeen years ago)

keep in mind this was like six months ago

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:12 (seventeen years ago)

it's funnier than legally blonde, that's for sure.

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:12 (seventeen years ago)

speaking of accents, this is maria's favorite movie of all time:

http://blogs.citypages.com/amadzine/images/7)Faces_of_Dr_Lao.jpg

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:13 (seventeen years ago)

she's a weirdo.

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:13 (seventeen years ago)

does dr. lao know if you've been bad or good?

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:14 (seventeen years ago)

I LOVE DR LAO

Noodle Vague, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:15 (seventeen years ago)

(but was a teeny bit disappointed when I saw it as an adult and realised he was Tony Randall)

Noodle Vague, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:16 (seventeen years ago)

It also has Justin Theroux in it. Against much of my better judgement I find him wonderfully attractive.

Anna, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:24 (seventeen years ago)

i really wanted to see this at the time, never got round to it. nothing about the premise is wrong at all!

lex pretend, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:26 (seventeen years ago)

oversexed hispanic garage attendent - check

is this a common stereotype or something?

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:27 (seventeen years ago)

http://www.umich.edu/~ac213/student_projects/fp/images/ChicoandtheMan.jpg

Noodle Vague, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:28 (seventeen years ago)

I never could quite tell if Richard Edson's character in Ferris Beuller was supposed to be hispanic or not.

Alex in Baltimore, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:34 (seventeen years ago)

the girls finally achieve respect from their former classmates by dancing really well, which they can do because they used to go out clubbing every night - so why is their dance some "interprative" sub-modern ballet crap that they would never do in a club? (and why is the respect of these odious people even important in the first place? i.e. the vogue editor is snide and up herself - so why is it some big validation when she compliments romy and michelle's ho outfits?)

the message of the movie is that success is relative and what's important is to be yourself - so why do the girls then get to fly off in a helicopter, gawped at enviously by everyone else?

why does kudrow's dream about what the reunion will be like match so closely with reality? how could she possibly know that the A-girls are pregnant? how could she know what the reception hall would look like? why did the dream go on for SO LONG??

the A-girls jeering the both of them for their ludicrous lie about inventing post-it notes was mean. romy and michelle jeering the A-girls for having kids makes is even meaner!

Tracer Hand, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:39 (seventeen years ago)

dude it was the 90s

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:40 (seventeen years ago)

that's our generation's "it's chinatown"

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:41 (seventeen years ago)

theory: that half the "hilarity" lay in seeing mira sorvino cast "against type"; now that 10 years have passed this underlying joke has been forgotten

Tracer Hand, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:42 (seventeen years ago)

you're right, Tracer, it never should have won that Oscar.

da croupier, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:42 (seventeen years ago)

the entirety of pop culture had been ceded to 28-year-old stoners with a grudge against popular kids and in an advanced stage of whimsy-induced dementia. i don't know why this is so hard to understand.

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:43 (seventeen years ago)

You should sock it to The Breakfast Club and Predator next.

da croupier, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:44 (seventeen years ago)

haha if tracer won't sock it to the breakfast club, i will

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:45 (seventeen years ago)

now that's some bullshit

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:45 (seventeen years ago)

i gots no problem with predator, however

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:45 (seventeen years ago)

WHY DOES HE HAVE A GERMAN ACCENT WHEN HE'S A U.S. SOLDIER?! WTF?! SO DUMB.

da croupier, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:45 (seventeen years ago)

this is a weak defense you're putting up, da croupier

Tracer Hand, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:47 (seventeen years ago)

oh this is all pretty par for the ilx course these days

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:49 (seventeen years ago)

tracer what is your favorite "dumb" comedy?

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:50 (seventeen years ago)

the entirety of pop culture had been ceded to 28-year-old stoners with a grudge against popular kids and in an advanced stage of whimsy-induced dementia.

man this almost makes me miss that decade

El Tomboto, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:51 (seventeen years ago)

My defense is that I like Janeane Garofalo, Lisa Kudrow, breezy one-liners and goofy ballet sequences. I don't think the movie was taking itself that seriously so I wasn't bothered by how "telegraphed" it was.

da croupier, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:53 (seventeen years ago)

we're only thinking that now because we're now the 28+ stoners, tom

but disenfranchised

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:54 (seventeen years ago)

Romy and Michele vs Grosse Point Blank

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:55 (seventeen years ago)

even lisa kudrow is more palatable than cusak

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:56 (seventeen years ago)

I'm just curious what movies the AFI or whoever recommended this movie to Tracer compared it to, so that he DIDN'T expect what he got from "Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion" starring Lisa Kudrow & Mira Sorvino.

da croupier, Monday, 2 July 2007 13:57 (seventeen years ago)

if movies like this are so inconsequential as to be beyond discussion then why don't you go post on some other thread dude

Tracer Hand, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:01 (seventeen years ago)

someone told him it was really the final reel of the magnificent ambersons

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:02 (seventeen years ago)

strongo i have so many dumb comedy favorites i don't know where to start. all the farelly movies are great, friday, school of rock, even freakin ELF is a masterpiece of comedic timing and artful plotting next to this total disaster

Tracer Hand, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:04 (seventeen years ago)

okay everything there except friday is...no.

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:05 (seventeen years ago)

alex in nyc, pabulum, standards raising, etc.

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:05 (seventeen years ago)

i don't even know you any more

Tracer Hand, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:06 (seventeen years ago)

rose mcgowan is aight in strongo's book too

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 16:55 (seventeen years ago)

you might remember her from such hits as Urban Legends and for running over some poor kid in LA. I give you Rebecca Gayheart.

http://starz.ru/celebrities/Rebecca_Gayheart.jpg

milo z, Monday, 2 July 2007 16:55 (seventeen years ago)

noxzema!

Mark Clemente, Monday, 2 July 2007 16:56 (seventeen years ago)

i was gonna say that i just posted a picture of rebecca but fortune city says otherwise apparently. she has hypno-eyes. and is actually pretty funny.

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 16:57 (seventeen years ago)

RmG had a botched eyejob last winter but chalked it up to an injury sustained in a minor car accident. I'm not buying it. Why do I know these things?

ENBB, Monday, 2 July 2007 16:57 (seventeen years ago)

good thread

BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Monday, 2 July 2007 16:58 (seventeen years ago)

well thank god BIG HOOS has weighed in

strongohulkington, Monday, 2 July 2007 16:59 (seventeen years ago)

OH MY FUCKING GOD JESUS CHRIST ON TOAST TARA REID'S BOOBS SAG AND HER TUMMY HAS A CRINKLE!

you are all such assholes.

kenan, Monday, 2 July 2007 16:59 (seventeen years ago)

cap'n save-a-ho

the schef (adam schefter ha ha), Monday, 2 July 2007 17:00 (seventeen years ago)

well thank god KENAN has weighed in.

milo z, Monday, 2 July 2007 17:00 (seventeen years ago)

huh

ghost rider, Monday, 2 July 2007 17:01 (seventeen years ago)

TUMMY HAS A CRINKLE!

you are all such assholes.

Actually - that crap on Tara's stomach is from botched Lipo. Trust me, I'd be the last to say a word if it was just pudge.

ENBB, Monday, 2 July 2007 17:01 (seventeen years ago)

i think it's really sad tara isn't getting proper recognition for her role in pan's labyrinth

http://www.thedougjonesexperience.com/panimage~9.jpg

latebloomer, Monday, 2 July 2007 17:01 (seventeen years ago)

kenan i really doubt she's reading

^@^, Monday, 2 July 2007 17:02 (seventeen years ago)

defending tara reid is some next level ho-saving shit.

ghost rider, Monday, 2 July 2007 17:02 (seventeen years ago)

http://www.bitetv.ca/blog/archives/Tara%20Reid

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 17:03 (seventeen years ago)

enbb otm also plz to not forget her boobs aren't sagging, that's a botched, uh, shop so to speak.

lesson: do not pick plastic surgeons while high and drunk

the schef (adam schefter ha ha), Monday, 2 July 2007 17:03 (seventeen years ago)

those... were..... the........ days, my friend
we thought they'd never end
ornaldo bloomps - just a twinkle in someone's eye

Tracer Hand, Monday, 2 July 2007 17:03 (seventeen years ago)

http://thesuperficial.com/2006/12/28/tara-reid-st-barts-bikini-11-thumb.jpg

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 17:04 (seventeen years ago)

"adhesions"?

BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Monday, 2 July 2007 17:04 (seventeen years ago)

Scott is right. I LOVE Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion.

Maria :D, Monday, 2 July 2007 18:17 (seventeen years ago)

gabrielle anwar sadat x

gff, Monday, 2 July 2007 18:17 (seventeen years ago)

^^ girl is in that new spy show on usa, i saw her and went "oh, claire forlani, saddd"

^^ double sad

gff, Monday, 2 July 2007 18:19 (seventeen years ago)

also i recently espied l.l. sobies k on a SCI FI ORIGINAL MOVIE w/ sean astin, so this thread is really making poignant the shitty insomniac tv of my last several days

gff, Monday, 2 July 2007 18:20 (seventeen years ago)

I've never seen any of these movies but I like Liz Tyler a whole bunch. Plus former NYC ILXor known to some of you used to make deliveries to her from a certain WVillage eatery and he said she was ALWAYS nice and smiley-giggly and tipped well, unlike lots of other sleb clients. He fantasized of stealing her away from scrawny brit rocker husband but no luck.

Laurel, Monday, 2 July 2007 18:21 (seventeen years ago)

Liv. Liv Tyler. Was thinking of work author at the same time.

Laurel, Monday, 2 July 2007 18:22 (seventeen years ago)

I can't read this whole thread - lemme just say who cares about "the message"? If there's a message, it's "be yourself" or "be silly" or something. It's like a 2-hour version of what Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" is about. Also, I love anything about high school and have had fantasies about going back to my reunion and "showing them all" and so this movie tickles a sensitive part of me and makes me laugh about it. I also recognize some of the characters -- the guy who was all that in high school but who's now a loser contractor philanderer, etc. It's silly! It makes me feel good - and it reminds me of a sweet time with my friend, aimurchie.

Maria :D, Monday, 2 July 2007 18:23 (seventeen years ago)

It's like a 2-hour version of what Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" is about.

Yeah but it's "Time After Time" that plays during the climactic dance scene! (This is the only scene in the movie that I actually remember.)

Alex in Baltimore, Monday, 2 July 2007 18:32 (seventeen years ago)

topanga i miss u ;_;

BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Monday, 2 July 2007 18:34 (seventeen years ago)

BEST FRED EVAH!

Pete, Monday, 2 July 2007 18:49 (seventeen years ago)

gillian anderson, we forgot about her, she still exists!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/morganzola/gfy/74977038.jpg

the schef (adam schefter ha ha), Monday, 2 July 2007 19:00 (seventeen years ago)

i like liv tyler too. her husband is ugly and short in person

bell_labs, Monday, 2 July 2007 19:01 (seventeen years ago)

SCULLY NOOOOOOO xpost

BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Monday, 2 July 2007 19:06 (seventeen years ago)

wtf that dress

El Tomboto, Monday, 2 July 2007 19:09 (seventeen years ago)

http://i.ivillage.com/E/Tracker/E_MelissaJoanHart_250.jpg

I WOULD LIKE HER TO EXPLAIN ALL THIS

Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved, Monday, 2 July 2007 20:44 (seventeen years ago)

WE'VE BROKEN MORE THAN THE 4TH WALL HERE PPLS

Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved, Monday, 2 July 2007 20:45 (seventeen years ago)

i guess no one explained condoms ;_;

the schef (adam schefter ha ha), Monday, 2 July 2007 20:47 (seventeen years ago)

http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/ap/ny11504120036.widec.jpg

Not bad.

Eazy, Monday, 2 July 2007 20:51 (seventeen years ago)

WRONG DECADE

Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved, Monday, 2 July 2007 20:53 (seventeen years ago)

the 90's hotties were so WHOLESOME!

homosexual II, Monday, 2 July 2007 22:18 (seventeen years ago)

guys i see topanga around my hood all the time. shes BIG now but still looks bangable. i told her that 'i loved her work' once and her bf cracked up. also i delivered something to fenn's house a year or so ago. she answered the door and was SO SKINNY it was scary. she had NO FURNITURE except an elliptical machine and had a fat son running around.

chaki, Monday, 2 July 2007 23:09 (seventeen years ago)

http://yeeeah.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/danielle_fishel_lakers.jpg

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 23:27 (seventeen years ago)

http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/celebs/daniellefishel/danielle_fishel_1.jpg

scott seward, Monday, 2 July 2007 23:28 (seventeen years ago)

huh.

Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved, Monday, 2 July 2007 23:49 (seventeen years ago)

it's hard enough following über threads like this on a computer at work but trying to keep up on a cell phone is impoosible

in summation, I love you all </ned>

HI DERE, Tuesday, 3 July 2007 00:12 (seventeen years ago)

two weeks pass...

Hey Eli, (and since this thread can always be bumped) here's one for your wish list:
Romy & Michele: In The Beginning!

Pete, Monday, 23 July 2007 13:55 (seventeen years ago)

related:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490822/

That one guy that hit it and quit it, Monday, 23 July 2007 14:03 (seventeen years ago)

in what way?? (i still haven't seen the bring it on sequel, crazily)

pete, er, the messageboard comments there are all like "what a disappointment after the brilliance of the original"

Tracer Hand, Monday, 23 July 2007 14:14 (seventeen years ago)

three years pass...

lisa kudrow is hilars in this movie

i think i'm big screech. samuel powers. whippin' nerds. hallelujah. (m bison), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 02:04 (fourteen years ago)

I love the climactic dance scene because the whole dance is ... not just unrehearsed but ANTI-rehearsed. Like the point isn't that they're great dancers, but that they're above caring what anyone things about their dancing.

Full disclosure: I love this whole movie and can't think critically about it.

Waldstein Sinatra (Paul in Santa Cruz), Tuesday, 26 October 2010 02:30 (fourteen years ago)


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.