Pretty Persuasion (2005)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Marcos Siega

Writer:

Skander Halim (writer)

Release Date:

25 May 2006 (South Africa)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Evil comes in a school uniform.

Plot:

A 15-year-old girl incites chaos among her friends and a media frenzy when she accuses her drama teacher of sexual harassment.

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | Drama Teacher | High School | Lesbian | Trial

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Evan Rachel Wood	...	Kimberly Joyce
David Wagner	...	Morgan (as David T. Wagner)
Brent Goldberg	...	Rick
Adi Schnall	...	Randa
Elisabeth Harnois	...	Brittany
Stark Sands	...	Troy
Jane Krakowski	...	Emily Klein
Michael Hitchcock	...	Headmaster Charles Meyer
Danny Comden	...	Roger Nicholl
Jaime King	...	Kathy Joyce
Josh Zuckerman	...	Josh Horowitz
James Snyder	...	Dave
Ron Livingston	...	Percy Anderson
Cody McMains	...	Kenny
Mike Erwin	...	Barry

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content and graphic dialogue involving teens, and language.

Runtime:

USA:104 min | UK:110 min | Argentina:107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | Australia:MA | UK:18 | Ireland:16 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Singapore:M18 | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:16 | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/16

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

REN-Mar Studios

Trivia:

Evan Rachel Wood has said that she based Kimberly Joyce on a girl at her high school who "stabbed you in the back with a smile on [her] face..."

Quotes:

Roger Nicholl: You wanna know why she's going to ruin you? 'Cause she knows that you can't do anything about it, that's why. I mean, forget math, English, science. For them, high school is all about cockteasing 101, and I've got news for you - those two are on the honor roll.

Movie Connections:

References To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Soundtrack:

Gare a Toi Jeune Amant

I expected a good film. I received more.

I've liked every effort I've seen by young actress Evan Rachel Wood ("13" being a stellar example, and "Missing" being another). This is no exception. "Pretty Persuasion" is akin to "Election" (Reese Witherspoon) for the first half, with a dark, witty sense of humor about high school aged people playing mental "chess" with each other, their teachers, and parents. Slowly the story morphs darker, into something like "To Die For" (Nicole Kidman), with a media-made, fame-driven main character willing to do whatever it takes to reach a twisted idea of recognition and advancement. THIS would be enough for the film to be interesting and well done within its own right, but then it goes further. Further. This film is billed as a comedy. If it is, it is not for long… a) if you watch the entire thing, and b) you pay attention. I was expecting a good film. I received even more.