Pretty Persuasion (2005)

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Directed by Marcos Siega.

Starring Elisabeth Harnois, Jane Krakowski, Ron Livingston, James Woods, Selma Blair, Evan Rachel Wood.

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One of the "popular girls" decides to put her mean streak to work in this black comedy. Kimberly Joyce (Evan Rachel Wood) is an outwardly friendly but inwardly cold and manipulative teenager who attends an exclusive private school in Beverly Hills when she's not making fun of her twentysomething stepmother (Jaime King) or listening to her business mogul father (James Woods) rant about the many people he hates. Kimberly's best friend is Brittany (Elisabeth Harnois), who doesn't seem to notice that Kimberly holds a bit of a grudge over the fact Brittany is now dating Troy (Stark Sands), Kimberly's former boyfriend. When Randa (Adi Schnall), an exchange student from the Middle East, arrives at school, Kimberly is asked to show her around, and soon she's giving her the inside scoop on the school's social hierarchy. Kimberly, Brittney, and Randa, like most of the girls at school, don't much care for Mr. Anderson (Ron Livingston), a teacher who doesn't make much of a secret of his lust for the female student body, though he doesn't do much besides look. Kimberly decides to do something about Mr. Anderson by fabricating a story that he has had inappropriate contact with her, Brittany, and Randa, and it doesn't take long for the matter to become a local scandal, though it does end up backfiring on Kimberly in time. Pretty Persuasion also featuring supporting performances from Selma Blair, Jane Krakowski, and Michael Hitchcock. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

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Reviews and discussions

Lila Says - Pretty Persuasion
by MovieBabe in MovieBabe Blog

hasn't rated it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"By Tricia Olszewski Meet Lila: She’s blond, blue-eyed, and fair-skinned. Her pretty face is untouched by makeup, and her eyebrows have clearly never met a pair of tweezers. She’s 16 years old and delicately feminine, and she stands out in her predominantly Arab neighborhood of Marseilles—and knows it. Because, you see, Lila’s also the friendly type. As in: If she likes you, she’ll sneak you a peek of her, um, pushin’ cushion. And if she really likes you, she’ll give you a ride on her moped, ensure that you know she’s not wearing any underwear, and then jerk you off. And she doesn’t even have to know your name! This little darling is the focus of Lila Says, the second feature of Lebanese-born director Ziad Doueiri. Based on a 1996 French novel whose author, referred to only as Chimo, remains unknown, Lila Says is framed by the voice-over of the 19-year-old Chimo (Mohammed Khouas), who lives in borderline poverty with his mothe ... " [More]

Re: Lindsay Lohan
by lukasblu in Dish Me Up Some

liked it.

"How about young female stars (under 21 yrs. old),that are not quite as famous (negative or positive publicity),at least tabloid wise,and yet a great talent in their own humble way;quality thespian without the fuss;In fact taking taking lesser known roles in variety or even riskier subject matter, which makes them a better thespian.the following are movies that i have seen ,i liked,and recommend(this actresses are under 21 when the movies were made and still under 21 today)*jena malone- stepmom,confessions of an american girl,dangerous lives of altar boys,saved*kristen stewart-speak,panic room*evan rachel wood-the upside of anger,pretty persuasion,thirteen,digging to china*camille belle-the ballad of jack and rose*valentina de angelis-off the mapoh yeah,our cute one,just barely a teen(13yrs. old)but i stiil thought i should mention her is(this one is a bit more famous,nothing negative though,at least that i have heard)*dakota fanning- taken (mini-series) ,trapped,man on fire,dreame ... " [More]

Pretty Persuasion is both fun a ...
by ktincu in ktincu Blog

liked it.

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"I watched Pretty Persuasion yesterday, and I'm still kind of stunned. I thought I'd be ready to post today, but I don't know where to begin. So maybe I'll begin with that point: I think the filmmaker wants us to be left somewhat speechless by the end of this film. It's the kind of film that drags your loyalties and emotions all over the place. Just when you think you know what's happening and what the motivations are, you're as duped by 15-year-old Kimberly (the main character) as her friends and the adults in her life are. The film is a classic black comedy. For the most part, it is an upbeat, fun film, and I found myself enjoying it very much. At the same time, I couldn't shake the Shakespearean sense of impending doom, which slowly builds before descending over you. It's like a storm that you can clearly see approaching from behind, but you're determined to face the sun and stay ahead of it, as if you can outrun it. In this film, you clearly cannot. The most engaging character ... " [More]

Pretty Persuasion
by BigJeffLebowski in BigJeffLebowski Blog

hasn't rated it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"I absolutely love it when both a film and its characters have such distinct voices. Within the first five minutes, distinct and recognizable rhythms emerge in the look and pace of the film, and especially in the character of Kimberly, whom Evan Rachel Wood plays to near perfection. Ron Livingston and James Woods give equally strong performances as Kimberly's teacher and father, respectively. My only complaint is the drastic tonal shift in the film's final scene; though it makes sense thematically, it's hard to believe there wasn't a more subtle way to make the same point -- and to do so less jarringly. " [More]

Review by All Movie Guide

All Movie Guide

lost interest.

This dark comedy sounds, on paper, like yet another Heathers homage. But unlike Clueless, Mean Girls and their feel-good ilk, Pretty Persuasion focuses on deadpan social commentary rather than pop self-consciousness. More clever than laugh-out-loud funny, the film has plenty to say about political correctness, sexual impropriety, and the inanities of local TV news. It's not exactly subtle -- especially during its forced, heavy-handed climax -- but it does establish a broad satirical agenda without devolving into an insulting farce. The self-absorption of well-heeled Hollywood teens has been mined to death for both comedy and pathos, but director Marcos Siega and first-time screenwriter Skander Halim are smart enough to relegate this particular theme to throwaway dialogue as wicked as it is believable. Star Evan Rachel Wood plays an altogether different sort of bad girl from the one she portrayed in Thirteen; comparisons to Nicole Kidman's character in To Die For are inevitable. But it's the rich supporting cast, including James Woods and Jane Krakowski, who provide the bulk of the uneasy chuckles. As the Muslim student who gets swept up in the schemes of two bratty blondes, newcomer Adi Schnall makes the most of an under-written role. Like Pretty Persuasion itself, her part is schematic and cold, yet no less truthful or enjoyable for it. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Tags: jealousy , manipulation , wealth , comedy , dark
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