Jennifer's Body

Horrorphile

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Jennifer's Body

April 9th 2010 00:03

Something’s gotta be said about what actually made Juno so appealing to such a wide demographic. It wasn’t just Diablo Cody’s witty screenplay. Sure, she won the Oscar, but there were a couple other very important elements: Jason Reitman’s colourful direction and Ellen Page’s charming performance. If those two elements hadn’t been in place Juno could well have been just another teen movie with a modicum of sly edge.

Megan Fox as Jennifer

Because Diablo Cody won the Best Screenplay gong she immediately got the green-light for another feature, and so out came her supposed sly take on the slasher flick, written around the same time as Juno, Jennifier’s Body (2009), the title of which was lifted from a Hole song. Not a straight slasher flick, just as Juno wasn’t really your average coming-of-age flick, Jennifer’s Body fused the succubus supernatural tale into the high school wallflower vs. the cheerleader bitch story. Unfortunately, not very successfully.

Amanda Seyfried as Needy

Jennifer’s Body is directed by Karyn Kasuma (who had a break-through hit with Girlfight ten years ago) and tells the story of dorky Anita “Needy” Lesnicky (Amnad Seyfried) and her tenuous Best Friends Forever bond with the high school uber-minx, cheerleader Jennifer Check (Megan Fox). Needy has a boyfriend, Chip (Johnny Simmons), whilst Jennifer prefers to be a free spirit (hell, if you looked as alluring as Jenny, why wouldn’t you?). At a local shindig with band Low Shoulder wailing on stage a fire breaks out, and in the chaos, Jennifer is lured by the band’s sleazy singer Nikolai (Adam Brody), and seeks refuge in the band’s shagmobile, much to Needy’s dismay.

Close, but no cigar

Jennifer's Body Amanda Seyfried and Johnny Simmons

Needy with bf Chip (Johnny Simmons)

Later that night Jennifer turns up at Needy’s place looking a little worse for wear, promptly devours a raw chicken, gives a demonic roar, and then projectile vomits a viscous black substance, much to Needy’s concern. As the days go by, the high school hunks begin to disappear. Needy becomes suspicious of Jennifer who has been acting most strangely. It soon becomes apparent that Jennifer is no longer the sweet and aloof girl she once was. She’s become one hell of a bitch, with a bite much worse than her bark. Nope, she’s not a werewolf, she’s been possessed by a demon! And Needy better watch out, ‘cos soon Jenny’s gonna run out of boys to munch on!

Adam Brody as Nikolai

I’m making the movie sound a lot more fun than it is. I really wish it had been better, I was hanging for another Ginger Snaps style snarler with a gleam in its eye and a glint in its teeth. Diablo Cody might very well have a taste for old school horror given the post-modern overhaul, but her screenplay is all over the shop. It doesn’t help that Kusama’s direction is patchy also (there are a handful of striking images though), and Amanda Seyfried, although a good actor, is totally miscast. Her role is meant to be a plain Jane character, yet it’s plainly obvious Seyfried is a very attractive girl, who even rivals Fox in the physique stakes (but of course is dressed fuddy-duddy and has her long hair covering her ample bosom the whole time).

Have demon inside, will travel

The narrative arc of the movie stretches and stumbles constantly, and I found myself wondering how close the end of the movie was. Is it soon? Is it now?? Whilst Fox and Seyfried (as I mentioned) are decent enough actors, the movie just doesn’t sufficiently engage at the key point early on. It certainly doesn’t deliver on the two factors that should be exuding most deliciously from such a movie: sexual energy and visceral horror. The gore quotient is almost non-existent, and there’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment of nudity, but only in one of two references to Brian De Palma’s far superior Carrie (1976), and no, it’s not Megan Fox! I know, BIG disappointment.

Prom night ain't what it used to be

Diablo Cody has potential, but she isn’t the crash-hot writer everyone thinks she is. Okay, so there are a few lines of dialogue that sparkle, such as Jennifer’s teasing remark to Needy and Chip; “It smells like Thai food in here. Have you guys been fucking?” or, as she grabs her breasts and informs Needy, “These are like smart bombs, you point them in the right direction, and shit gets real.” But seriously, Cody will sure as hell have to pull a rabbit out of a hat for her third effort, otherwise it’s three strikes, you’re out! And don’t go sobbing off to the girl’s changing rooms, with your pom-poms dragging by your heels Ms. Cody! Y’know, she should write an adult black comedy about her time spent as a stripper and lap-dancer, based on her book Candy Girl. I’d give that a squizz fer sure.

Here's the trailer:

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

18 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by JohnDoe

April 9th 2010 00:14

Film & TV on DVD

Still haven't seen this one Bryn,

It's been on the list mainly because I was a massive fan of Girlfight. Shame none of the character strength from the Director's previous film came through.

Still will check it out and offer a verdict

Comment by Bryn

April 9th 2010 00:20

Horrorphile

JD, obviously I'm very keen to hear your thoughts.

Comment by D-Lo

April 9th 2010 02:02

All I gotta say is what a set of legs. That was the main reason I clicked on here. But hey man, I've checked this blog out a few times before and I gotta say congrats on your success, you got a great blog here keep up the good work.

Comment by Journeywoman

April 9th 2010 04:06

Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach

Hehe not the greatest movie ever made, clearly, but I'll probably see it anyway because I have a girl crush on Amanda Seyfried right now. Also Megan Fox is hot. Bizarrely hot, considering that I'm a hetero chick and can still see it!

Cheers Bryn

Comment by David O'Connell

April 9th 2010 07:30

20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic

Very nice work Bryn, I actually saw this on a plane (never the greatest conditions to watch anything of course!) but ended up bitterly disappointed by just how tame it is. I do admit to being a big fan of Juno but Cody's screenplay here is painfully self-conscious, trying to be as hip and quotable as possible - at the expense of a great horror film, which it potentially might have become in other hands.

Comment by sam sall

April 9th 2010 08:51

Speech Starter
Health Matters

Great review ...I didn't see this movie yet but it sounds as if Cody trying too hard ....I might watch it after this review ...
Thanks

Comment by Bryn

April 9th 2010 23:23

Horrorphile

Hi Sam,
cheers, yeah, I think Cody was trying to twist conventions and it didn't really work. There's elements there, but it's all too uneven and unsatisfying.

Comment by Bryn

April 9th 2010 23:30

Horrorphile

Journeywoman, I won't hold it against you

David, tame: exactly! And, yes too self-consciously hip! You nailed it in a couple of sentences. Stop making me look like a rambler!

Comment by Natalina

April 10th 2010 21:13

My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog

I have a huge pet peeve for any movie that casts the self conscious, nerd girl, wallflower with a beautiful, big boobed blonde with doe eyes. I am offended that after all these years, many in Hollywood seem to think that all you need to do to frump a girl up is throw a pair of glasses on her. I tend to think that a pair of glasses can actually increase sex appeal, but perhaps I'm biased.

It's so good to see you back my friend!

Nat

Comment by Bryn

April 11th 2010 23:05

Horrorphile

Hey Nat, yeah, really clumsy, ill-conceived casting going on there! I'd be curious on your thoughts on the movie though ...

Comment by Natalina

April 12th 2010 09:35

My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog

Actually, I thought it was boring. Which is kinda surprising because I'm relatively easily entertained, even if I'm hating something.

I did something with this movie that I rarely do.. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I did it. I fast forwarded through a few parts of it.

Admittedly, there were a few parts that were pretty lovely. I loved the look and feel of the scene at the end in the old swimming pool. Had a neat vibe to it.

But the dialogue was bordering on pretentious. I think that Diablo Cody is a talented writer but I'm annoyed be her need to create a lingo for young people that makes them all sound like parodies of hipsters.

Comment by Bryn

April 12th 2010 22:54

Horrorphile

Yeah, that self-conscious dialogue was pretentious, definitely, although a few lines made me chuckle. I bored of it as well, wondering when it was going to wrap up. Actually that sequence in the pool annoyed me, since when would an derelict pool be left with all the water in it like that?? Way too art directed for my liking! And Lance Henrikson's cameo was a little too wink, wink, nudge, nudgey. Although I liked his additional line (cut from the theatrical version) to Needy when she asked for a lift, and he replied "You need to pay me in either ass, gas, or grass ..." Needy stares back, then says, "Well, I ain't got any money or drugs ..." and then gets into the car. Sleazy, I know ...

Comment by ShaunK

April 20th 2010 02:13

Screen Adventure

Wow - kudos to you for actually sitting through this and being able to keep you bile duct in check.

I haven't braved this obvious steaming pile of shit yet. Anything with Megan Fox in it is sure to not pass the test for me. Interesting to see your comments on Cody. Proof that anyone can write one good script but it doesn't mean they have what it takes.

Comment by ShaunK

April 20th 2010 02:16

Screen Adventure

haha - just read natalina's comment

I'm annoyed be her need to create a lingo for young people that makes them all sound like parodies of hipsters.

love it

Comment by Catherine Stebbins

May 2nd 2010 04:01

Thoughts from a Cinephile
Thoughts from a TV Watcher

nice review! Definitely in agreement with you. While I think that Seyfried was too pretty for the character Needy, I still think her performance is what single handedly held that movie together. That Thai food quote that you reference is probably the best line in the film. A hidden gem. The one thing that comes to mind when I think of this movie is 'missed opportunity'.

I also love that you refer to Ginger Snaps in your review which is incredible and a million times better than this could ever have hoped to be! : )

Comment by Bryn

May 2nd 2010 23:12

Horrorphile

Catherine, yes indeed, Seyfried is a good actor, and I suppose she did make the movie watchable in that way, but she was still miscast.
What was Diablo Cody thinking when she wrote this?? As a horror it fails so miserably.
Yeah, love Ginger Snaps. Ginger Snaps II: Unleashed is good also, but the third movie, Ginger Snaps Back missed the mark.

Comment by Anonymous

May 3rd 2010 15:12

Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald

Great review. I watched the movie only to see if Diablo Cody owned up to her new-found status as a writer and like you, I found her seriously lacking.