Drop Dead Gorgeous Review

by Ross Anthony (kjko AT interaccess DOT com)
September 5th, 1999
She's a killer queen dynamite with a laser beam
Drop Dead Gorgeous

by Ross Anthony

Once you get used to the "Fargo" accents, "Drop Dead" will prove amusing and apt in accomplishing what it sets out to do.

A mock-doc (feigned-documentary), this film spoofs a teen beauty pageant in Mount Rose, Minnesota. The documentary crew follows contestants and judges through the days just prior and following the city finals. To push things over the edge of silliness, someone is knocking off (as in killing) potential teen winners; hence the exceedingly clever title of the movie. In fact, this may just be the most appropriately titled movie of the year.
Some outstanding moments:
Contestants sport their "All-American" Head-dressings:
Mt. Rushmore, nuclear power (a mushroom cloud), and finally a large ball of twine atop the head of an unlikely winner who cries out, "I think I misunderstood the assignment!" The ironic coupling of religion, arms and teenage girls in The Lutheran Sisterhood Gun Club. A past queen in all her Hollywood stardom sells St. Paul pork products. Anorexic reigning queen lip-sincs Melissa Manchester's "Don't cry out loud" from her wheelchair. And last but not least, the top contestant tap dances to Industrial Rock music.
It's simply silly fun.

Starring Kirsty Alley, Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, and Ellen Barkin. Directed by Michael Patrick Jann. Written by Lona Williams. Produced by Gavin Polone and Judy Hofflund at New Line. Rated PG-13.

Grade ......................................... B+

(C) 1999 Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit:
http://RossAnthony.com

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