Troy Takaki – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Kat Coiro

Written By: Ryan Engle

Story By: Ryan Engle & Kristin E. Engle

Cinematography: Danny Ruhlmann

Editor: Zene Baker and Troy Takaki

Cast: Halle Bailey, Rage-Jean Page, Lorenzo De Moor, Marco Calvani, Isabella Ferrari, Aziza Scott, Nia Vardalos, Desiree Popper

When a woman crashes at an empty Italian villa posing as the owner’s fiancée, she discovers an unexpected romance that could transform her life.

Sometimes a movie doesn’t need to reinvent the romantic comedy. Sometimes it just needs to be charming, pretty, and know exactly what it wants to be. This is pretty much that movie.

It’s simple, predictable, and built with the kind of sitcom logic you can see coming from a mile away. But honestly? There’s something rather pleasant about that. The movie has an easygoing charm, a picturesque setting, and a cast that makes the whole thing go down pretty smoothly. It’s not exactly epic filmmaking, but it is certainly easy on the eyes.

And then there’s Halle Bailey. It’s still a little strange seeing her play a fully grown adult character because, well… she still looks so young. There are moments when it feels almost like she’s playing dress-up as an adult. But she’s good here, and there’s an appealing warmth to her performance. Young people need love stories too, apparently. Who knew?

The movie does introduce a few details that seem as though they’re going to become important, only to eventually leave them sitting on the side of the road. I kept waiting for certain pieces of Mateo and Isabella’s history to lead somewhere, especially because their relationship feels like it has a story worth telling. Even if they’re supporting characters, a little more background would have given the movie some additional texture.

But my biggest hesitation comes from something outside the movie itself.

I’ve seen this film treated by some as though being basic, automatically makes it bad. And I’m not entirely convinced that’s fair. Plenty of romantic comedies have operated with this exact formula for years. They’re predictable, glossy, sentimental and designed to give you a pleasant couple of hours.

So why does this one sometimes seem to get judged more harshly?

I can’t help but wonder if part of it has something to do with the fact that the central love story is primarily between two Black leads. That shouldn’t make the movie more or less identifiable, and it certainly shouldn’t make its familiar formula suddenly seem inferior. If anything, it’s nice to see a Black love story allowed to simply be a love story, rather than feeling obligated to explain itself, make a political statement, or turn every moment into a joke. that’s what I appreciated here.

Yes, this film is basic. But basic isn’t necessarily a crime. Sometimes you want the cinematic equivalent of a nice vacation: beautiful scenery, attractive people, a little romance, a little sass, and absolutely no need to pack emotional baggage.

The film has a pleasant vibe, and sometimes that’s enough.

It may not stay with you forever, but we have all seen worse.

Grade: C+

Written & Directed By: Darren Stein
Cinematography By: Amy Vincent
Editor: Troy Takaki

Cast: Rose McGowan, Julie Benz, Rebecca Gayheart, Charlotte Ayana, Judy Greer, Pam Grier, Carol Kane, Tatyana Ali, Chad Christ, Jeff Conaway, William Katt, P.J. Soles, Marilyn Manson

In what was meant as a harmless birthday prank, three of Reagan High School’s most popular girls, Julie, Foxy, and Courtney pretend to kidnap their friend, the latter shoving a jawbreaker into the victim’s mouth to keep her from screaming. Their plan goes awry when the girl accidently swallows the jawbreaker, choking to death. The cool and calculating Courtney tries to cover the crime but is found out by school geek Fern Mayo. In return for her silence, Courtney transforms the gawky Fern into the stylishly beautiful Vylette, leaving the conscience-stricken Julie out in the cold, threatening to set her up for the girl’s murder if she breaks her silence.

This film was compared to HEATHERS by some critics. So I had to check this film out. Luckily I was working at a movie theater that was playing this movie so I got to see it for free. If I had paid for it. I believe my review would be more vicious.

The film is very colorful and has a dull witty edge the jokes sometimes hit their targets, but often misfire. Even though the film is cast with memorable stars of teenage set sitcoms. One of the problems with the film is the cast playing teenagers look too old. I’m not talking 90210 old. I’m talking having the first kid setting up house in the suburbs old.

Writer/director Darren Stein intentionally cast older actresses as the high school leads as an homage to films like GREASE and CARRIE, which seemed to use actresses who were clearly in their mid-twenties.

There are a few things to like in this movie Jeff Conway is hilarious intentionally in his one scene. The scene where Rebecca Gayheart is the only one moving in the hallway while everyone else is In freeze frame is inspired and beautiful. The lunch room social status table scene is hilarious

Rose McGowan is on point and great in her role. The only problem, she’s too poised and self assured in the role. She is beautiful, But is just too old. I can see why she took the role. It’s a star-maker, but then there are the problems with the movie. Which out number the good thing most of the casting a lot of good actors are miscast or wasted in their roles. There are Celebrity cameos here for no reason other then former or noted actors just trying to get work, which are beneath them.

This is a very nasty film in spirit and material. It’s a dark comedy that is supposed to contain some satire, But feels mean spirited for no reason while being campy. The sets and makeup are at times nauseating.

I would have to say the main reason for watching this film is Rose McGowan and her performance. So if you are a fan of her this is a definite must see. Even the usually dependable Judy Greer is wasted in one of her first leading roles plus I hated her 80’s Alice hairdo.

During the entire film, a circular theme is visible, to call back to the jawbreaker. From the girls earrings (they wear hoops throughout the majority of the film), to light fixtures, to patterns, and wall fixtures.

The problem here is that Rose McGowan excels in this role, but the movie or at least the script can’t keep up to her talent. No one else is written as well or as vividly as she is. This has also been the problem with McGowan’s career there has hardly been roles tailor made for her and when there were she was usually the best thing or the most noteworthy thing in the movie, Because everything else was disappointing about the films. She just keeps seeming to miss those roles that would catapult her full speed ahead or doesn’t seem to take the momentum offered when she does. Almost like a older Christina Ricci with less chances.

Marilyn Manson was given his cameo part because he was engaged to Rose McGowan at the time the movie was made.

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GRADE: C-

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