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Unsettling but frequently funny,
Pretty Persuasion stars Evan Rachel Wood as a 15-year-old with a talent for manipulation that could easily rival the most corrupt characters in
Dangerous Liaisons. Wood plays Kimberly, an aspiring actress and student at an exclusive high school. Her best friend, Brittany (Elisabeth Harnois), has made off with Kimberly's boyfriend and been awarded the coveted lead role of Anne Frank in a school production--a part that was originally offered to Kimberly, but then withdrawn by authorities. Meanwhile, life at home is no picnic: Kimberly's father (James Woods) is a babbling anti-Semite, and her estranged mom calls infrequently. There's a lot of time for the teen to conjure elaborate revenge schemes, one of which catches a teacher (Ron Livingston) and naive Muslim girl (Adi Schnall) in a sexual harrassment trial. The sharp cast (including an excellent Jane Krakowski as a corrupt, televison news reporter) and director Marcos Siega's arch tone are the best things about the film, which veers successfully between loopy comedy and dark, psychological drama. Skander Halim's literate script finds intelligent purpose even in the most banal situations.
--Tom Keogh
Product Description
Evan Rachel Wood plays Kimberly Joyce an insanely intelligent shockingly cruel and sexy - beyond - her - years Beverly Hillls teenager who will stop at nothing to become famous. She masterfully manipulates all those around her including her two best friends whom she convinces to join her in a sexual harassment campaign against their befuddled teacher; Mr. Anderson (Ron Livingston). Actors: Adi Schnall - Brent Goldberg - David Wagner - Elisabeth Harnois - Evan Rachel Wood. Director: Marcos Siega. Format: DVD. Format Size: Widescreen. Runtime: 104 mins. Language: English. Region code: Region 1 (United States Canada Bermuda U. S. territories). Discs: 1. Rating: R. Genre: Comedy. Subgenre: Drama. Release Year: 2005.
