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Charlotte O'Sullivan's rating
Indulge the inner teen
By
Charlotte O'Sullivan
14 Feb 2008
The young girl at the centre of Jonathan Levine's post-Columbine slasher movie thinks she's "different" from other people.
The film itself can't decide if it wants to stand out from the crowd. It certainly looks intriguing.
Full of blonde hair and blinding sunshine, it's part Texas Chain Saw Massacre, part Virgin Suicides. Amber Heard, the actress who plays Mandy, meanwhile, has huge, shy eyes like Catherine Deneuve.
As for the bunch of characters who surround her - the titular array of lusty boys but also two "it" girls, all of whom spend the weekend on a ranch in Texas - they have their plus points.
And the talented cast make maximum use of any fresh lines that come their way.
But the killings themselves are horribly old-school, with the death of the group's token sloppy slut especially misogynistic.
Levine's offering will charm all those prepared to indulge their inner teen. It deserves to be kicked out of bed by everyone else.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
