To Die For
First screened in October 1995 / Most recently screened in April 2015
Director: Gus Van Sant. Cast: Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, Illeana Douglas, Joaquin Phoenix, Alison Folland, Casey Affleck, Dan Hedaya, Maria Tucci, Wayne Knight, Gerry Quigley, Kurtwood Smith, Holland Taylor, George Segal, Michael Rispoli, Susan Traylor, Tim Hopper, Buck Henry, David Cronenberg. Screenplay: Buck Henry (based on the novel by Joyce Maynard).

Twitter Capsule: Claws-out verve, albeit prone to hokiness and overstatement. Same true of Kidman. Folland, Phoenix, costumes are peaks.

VOR:   Even spoofy approach to crass media saturation is emblematically of its time, as is the peculiar war fought between darkness and snark. A pivot for all involved. Still a talking point.



Photo © 1995 Columbia Pictures

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B–


Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
Best Actress (Musical/Comedy): Nicole Kidman

Other Awards:
Boston Society of Film Critics: Best Actress (Kidman)

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