NEW Homecoming (DVD)

Some might say four stars is a bit generous for a film of this nature. But let me start off by saying that I'm a Mischa Barton fan, and that I also like this type of movie. This film is kind of a mix between "Swimfan" and "Misery." While certainly it is not as good as the latter, it is up there with other films of this nature.

Basically, Barton plays a jilted ex-girlfriend of a popular, very friendly and charismatic college athlete. The athlete returns home for his old high school's homecoming with his new girlfriend, and Barton does not approve. At first, she appears to accept the turn of events, and begins to befriend the new girlfriend. But her true intentions become revealed sooner rather than later - and you can guess what they are by simply viewing the cover art of the film.

Aside from the two female leads (Barton and Stroup), the acting is okay at best, which is typical for a b-movie. There is a decent amount of suspense and drama, but not really a whole lot of exciting twists and turns. The film moves along at a steady pace and it entertains, which is all a movie like this is intended to do. Barton is solid in the lead role, much moreso than in some of her other more recent films. Overall, if you're a fan of drama, campy violence, and obsessed lovers turned evil, than this will make the perfect rental for you. I would suggest it as a rental rather than a full purchase, though, because as you might have gathered, there's nothing here worth viewing on repeated occasions. 3.5 stars.

Mischa Barton is gorgous. No doubt about it. She also lights up the screen, but here she is just OK. And that really describes this film. It wasn't bad, in fact, it was alot better than I thought it was going to be. This isn't a thriller, this is definetely a drama. Didnt deserve those harsh reviews it got.

A young freshman Mike (Matt Long) was a star quarterback in a small town called Mt. Bliss, and now he comes back to his home for a visit with a new girlfriend Elizabeth (Jessica Stroup). It is only natural that Shelby (Mischa Barton), who was dating Mike when they were in high school, is not very happy about that. To make matters more complicated, Mike says his relationship with Shelby is over while Shelby just doesn't think so.

On the night of their reunion something terrible happens to Elizabeth. That is when Shelby gets a chance to make her former boyfriend hers again. Shelby, obsessed with the idea, would never let this opportunity go.

Though pretty tight and well-acted, "Homecoming" is a disappointing thriller. The film borrows so many things from other films, and it is not a thrilling experience to watch all three principal characters doing stupid mistakes: Why leave your girlfriend there? Why leave the door open? Why not smash the window? Why not fight back?

Those who are looking for silly, over-the-top, campy movies should look elsewhere. The story is silly, but Mischa Barton's performance itself is fine and convincing. The acting of other actors is not bad, and the photography is decent. The script is clichéd, formulaic and built on incredible premise and coincidences, but the film itself is professionally done and somehow I was not bored. I also liked the fry pan scene. Nice way of using it.

The list of thrillers about obsessed female character may not be very long, but still is impressive - last year's "Obsessed," "Play Misty for Me" (Clint Eastwood's directorial debut), "The Crush" (starring Alicia Silverstone), "Single White Female," "Misery" and of course "Fatal Attraction." "Homecoming" is definitely not the best of this minor genre, and perhaps not the worst.