To Die For Movie Review 1995

Beauteous, manipulative Suzanne Stone (Kidman) wants to be somebody--preferably a big TV personality--and nothing will stop her. She recruits a scruffy threesome to help her ice sweet-but-dim hubby, Larry (Dillon), even if it does means seducing aimless teenager Jimmy (Phoenix). Black comedy, loosely based on the Pamela Smart murder case and adapted from the novel by Joyce Maynard, takes on the media-obsessed culture with a wicked grin. Van Sant retains his fresh and hip storytelling in his first film for a major studio. Backed by Henry's zesty script, all the actors shine--with standout performances from Kidman as the monstrous Suzanne and Phoenix (River's younger brother) as the lost/horny Jimmy. Shot entirely in Canada.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 103 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Black Comedy, Crimes of Passion, Teen Angst, Psychotics/Sociopaths, News at 11, Organized Crime

Screenplay

Buck Henry, Johnny Burne

Cast

Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, Joaquin Rafael (Leaf) Phoenix, Casey Affleck, Alison Folland, Illeana Douglas, Dan Hedaya, Wayne Knight, Kurtwood Smith, Holland Taylor, Maria Tucci, Susan Traylor

Cinematography

Eric Alan Edwards

Director

Gus Van Sant

Music

Danny Elfman

Other

George Segal, Buck Henry

Producer

Laura Ziskin, Jonathan Taplin, Joseph M. Caracciolo, Rank Film Distributors, Columbia Pictures, Columbia Pictures

Awards

Golden Globes 1996: Actress--Mus./Comedy (Kidman); Broadcast Film Critics 1995: Actress (Kidman).