To Die For

Greetings, ‘To Die For’ is a 1995 black comedy film that was directed by Gus Van Sant in a fourth wall breaking mockumentary style. Van Sant would also go on to be known for directing the critically acclaimed Robin William’s vehicle ‘Good Will Hunting’ and the seemingly unnecessary remake of ‘Psycho’ with Vince Vaughn a few years later. This movie was adapted from a book of the same name that was written by novelist and journalist Joyce Maynard. Her novel was in turn inspired by the real life story of Pamela Smart who had orchestrated the murder of her husband, Gregg William Smart, in 1990. The movie stars Australian icon Nicole Kidman as the beautiful but manipulative Suzanne Stone, Matt Dillion, Joaquin Phoenix in his early career, Casey Affleck, Illeana Douglas and Alison Folland in the principal roles. The suitably dark music was composed by Danny Elfman, a titan in the industry, who has been scoring films since the 1980s and is still going strong today.

The plot is set in the quaint fictional town of Little Hope, New Hampshire and doesn’t follow a traditional linear timeline. Instead, the beginning of the film takes place near the events of the finale and gives away major storyline beats with hints as to what had occurred. The audience is introduced to Suzanne Stone who, even in her childhood years, had always dreamed of working in television and has an ambitious streak that can’t be quelled. Ingrained with an attention seeking personality, her goal in life is to become a world renowned broadcaster and her first stepping stone to getting there is to become the weather girl for a local TV station. From the outset of the movie, Suzanne is getting the attention she always wanted as she is being hounded by the press as a possible suspect in the murder investigation of her own husband and is described by sensationalist tabloids as a ‘Blonde Temptress.’ The story rewinds before the press frenzy and recounts the dating life of Suzanne and her soon to be husband Larry Maretto.

At this point, Suzanne has no notoriety and has no connections to the Television business nor has she attained her role as a weather reporter. Larry’s sister, named Janice, is an ice figure skater who had always disliked Suzanne and was greatly displeased to learn he had proposed to her. Janice always found her cold and was frustrated by Suzanne’s attempts to overshadow her own achievements at every turn. Suzanne and Larry honeymooned in Florida after they got married and in a true display of her priorities, she sends him on a fishing trip while she sneaks away to a National Broadcasters Conference being held in the area to further her career interests. Suzanne uses her good looks to get into the booth with the keynote speaker, reveals her ambitions to him and asks for guidance on how to get there. The speaker suggests that sexual favours would get her far in the industry and alludes to a high profile presenter getting their big break because they were loose with their morals. Suzanne will soon show that she is very willing to oblige.

I didn’t know anything about this movie before I sat down to watch it and I can confidently say that I enjoyed it immensely. I liked it so much so that I wondered why I had never heard of it beforehand, seen it discussed anywhere nor mentioned prior. I think ‘To Die For’ lags in the middle act a bit but its strengths easily overcome that sluggish moment with a great beginning and conclusion. The mockumentary style is very well constructed with many characters giving their personal views on the bleak events that transpired. The non-linear plot also works in the movie’s favour. Kidman gives an excellent performance as the self-interested seductress who is willing to do almost anything to get ahead and the rest of the cast do their jobs admirably. I’ll probably check out Maynard’s novel at some stage as well. If you are looking for something a bit different to watch then ‘To Die For’ may just be the film for you.

Plot=8/10

Characters=8/10

Special Effects=7/10

Overall=8/10

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