Pumpkin (Widescreen/Full Screen)

Carolyn McDuffy (Christina Ricci) is a girl who assists her sorority by helping a bunch of mentally challenged adults for the "Challenged Games". Carolyn's training partner is Pumpkin Romanoff. The sheltered and superficial Carolyn is not used to situations like this and she often violates social norms and offends people without even realizing why certain actions and comments would be offensive. Unlike her sorority sisters, Carolyn has a good heart but she is still ignorant enough that she doesn't automatically earn any respect from the film's audience. She is a unique character that conveniently slips under our radar as such. At first apprehensive about dealing with Pumpkin, Carolyn soon comes to the realization that Pumpkin is at least genuine, which is completely unlike anyone else in her world, especially the girls in her sorority. Carolyn falls deeply in love with Pumpkin. This has a dramatic effect on the lives of both Carolyn and Pumpkin and that is essentially what this film focuses on.

Christina Ricci is almost always great in anything she has ever done. She takes on unique roles for the most part and only surfaces up to the mainstream in flashes these days. Pumpkin is not a mainstream film as it was hardly even released in the United States. Unfortunately it is roles like this that can showcase just how talented Ricci really is. Making characters we are not supposed to like enjoyable and entertaining is when she is at her best. Hank Harris plays Pumpkin and does a great job at a kind of role that is easy to compliment in most films, but he somehow manages to make Pumpkin fit appropriately even in this unusual environment. Brenda Blethyn plays Pumpkin's mother and is outstanding as always.

Pumpkin's overtones are primarily pretty serious ones in the way of a Romeo and Juliet kind of story. So why is this comedy? Why should we be laughing? Answering that honestly may extort some guilt but don't worry, you're not alone. That does not however make Pumpkin any less bold in its basic storyline and it is probably even bolder in its very existence as a comedy. Few films are as dry and demented as this. I couldn't help but think of Todd Solondz's Storytelling and Happiness while I watched Pumpkin. It seemed to contain the same provoking elements and bizarre dark humor. I never thought that was possible again after seeing Happiness but here it is. Perhaps Solondz is an influence. Much like Carolyn McDuffy's character, the movie Pumpkin's ignorance may anger you even if it is innocent, but the film's heart is for the most part in the right place in its own twisted way.

It's sad to see people be offended by the movie and not find it absolutely hilarious. It's black comedy--the stereotypes are designed to make you think and reflect. The acting is incredible and the performances by the supporting cast really help make this a strong movie. If you like movies that make you think,laugh,and then say "Oh now I get it",you should like this one.

just one question: Where on earth can i buy the soundtrack?

Although Pumpkin wasn't my favorite film, I did enjoy it. But then again, I didn't expect it to be my favorite film. However, I am fan of Christina Ricci. And I thought that this film displayed her charms and abilites as an actress quite well.

The story follows Carolin, a sority girl who sees the world through rose colored glasses and doesn't question a thing in front of her, and is perfectly happy that way. That is, until she meets Pumpkin, a mentally disabled guy whom she is helping as a charity for her sorority. Her and the rest of her sority sisters are helping his team prepare for an sort Special Olympics. And Pumpkin is immediately taken with her. She is drawn into him because he is different, mysterious. But according to everyone she knows, and everything she's been taught, it would be wrong to become involed with "someone like him". She first tries to play matchmaker with him and one of her friends from class, but that doesn't work out as the girl takes it as an insult. And this is where her world begins falling apart, and everything she thought she knew, just doesn't make sense anymore.

I wasn't entirely pleased with this movie, obviously its a satire, and its just making fun of people who are prejudice about those that are different from us, and it goes to the extremes on that. But for the most part the characters besides Caroline and Pumpkin seemed so phoney, but then I guess that was probably the intention.

Pumpkin(the movie) did make me think though, I was wondering just how many people I've known that are actually like those in the film. And to tell you the truth, I've met a quite good number of people who do act similar to those in at her school and sorority.

Obviously the film isn't meant to be taken completely seriously, but it does deal with that serious issue of discrimination and segregation.

I think what made this film really worth watching though, was the acting. Everyone all around in my opinion did a very good job, and Christina Ricci and Hank Harris as Carolin and Pumpkin are very good together.

Though Pumpkin is quite flawed, I think it is still worth viewing, if only once, just to see how Christina Ricci can really shine, even in a movie that's only about average.
I give it 3.5 stars.

*Enjoy* & God Bless ~Amy