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Written & Directed by Jim Hemphill
Review by Molly Celaschi
Virginal Michelle is the new girl at school and excitedly accepts an invite to a party with the cool kids. But after being gang raped by the jocks, she is made to look like a slut and is humiliated at school. Angry, she uses her newfound sexuality to dispense the same pain that was given to her.
I have to say I pretty much loved this movie. Once the rape has been established, you are stuck to the screen watching all the events unfold. The film played like a long ass episode of “Degrassi High” with all the good parts left in and then mixed with the murder and homophobia of HEATHERS.
The film shows how rape can happen and the shameful aftermath. Not only are the perpetrators guilty, but also the people that stand idly by. The jealous girlfriends side with their guilty boyfriends because they do not want to accept the truth. Michelle’s alcoholic mom shelters her and calls her slut for wanting to socialize with peers. The counselor that Michelle seeks help from sexually harasses her instead. A police officer laughs when telling a girl that her recently deceased boyfriend may have been gay. Random high school boys try to take advantage of Michelle because of her newly acquired “slut” status and so on. Everyone is guilty in this film. Convicting the wrong doers for rape wouldn’t have fixed the problem or helped the victim to heal. It doesn’t just take a village to raise a child; it takes a village to destroy them too.
All of the characters were believable even if they were not likeable. The actresses were great. I know a lot of attention was given to Angelique Hennessy for playing the titular role of Michelle, but I really liked Wendi (played by Danielle Noble). I identified with her instantly and she came off as the only likeable person.
The interaction between the pervert counselor and Michelle is pitch perfect. That small scene alone can sum up the sexual harassment and gender politics. Here is a choice excerpt:
Michelle, “Take your eyes off my tits.”
Counselor, “Don’t talk to me like that.”
Michelle, “Then don’t look at me like that.”
Women are typically described as either “sluts” or “bitches.” Since Michelle doesn’t want to be treated a certain way and she talks back, that instantly pushes her into the next category. Oh and the poster in the background that read, “There will be plenty of time to complain when you’re dead” was a nice addition.
The writing and direction is excellent. I am dying to see what comes next from Hemphill. So much detail was packed into every scene that I was giddy with glee. From the girl that calls a lover a different name on purpose, a boyfriend that makes out with his lady on a bathroom floor next to an unflushed toilet, the rape panty toss landing directly into a trophy, the guys that turn on their buddy when they learn he might be gay, and more.
This is one of the best Rape/ Revenge flicks I have ever seen. It is extremely difficult to watch because of all the emotional hurt the girl endures. One hard scene was when Michelle has to hear voicemails from taunting schoolmates and her mother calls her a “bitch in heat” preventing her from telling her mom she was raped. The rape isn’t graphic (no nudity, perverts) except for the bottle part. The kills are fun with the guys getting back EXACTLY what they gave to her and the girls suffering the coolest deaths.
As strange as it seems that this recent virgin/ rape victim would turn the tables and vamp it up, it works. It is actually depressing to see her in a short skirt and heels reading a book in her flower-covered room. It’s almost as though she convinced herself that she is in control by using her sexuality, but she really looks like a sad little girl that finally caved in.
My only minor complaint is the ending. I would have liked to see what happened to her and the survivor after the carnage was cleared. A “Two weeks later…” insert at the end would have been nice to wrap things up.
Weird Fact: Hemphill may very well be a good writer based on his past work. He started as a film critic and wrote for Cinefantastique and American Cinematographer magazine.
Weird Fact 2: T.W. Porrill who plays the pervy counselor is also a writer…of softcore porn. He wrote THE SEX SUBSTITUTE 2.
Favorite Quote: A guy explaining why he helped Aaron rape Michelle, “You don’t understand. He was the team captain!”
Bottom Line: A sympathetic look at the life of a rape victim. I highly recommend this film to both men and women.
Rating: 9.5/10
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