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GOSSIP review by Joseph B. Mauceri
REVIEW: GOSSIP tries to blend a thriller atmosphere with a "who_done_it" attitude, setting it on a college campus. At times it attempts to mimic the 1999 box office hit "Cruel Intentions," which was a modern retelling of the classic "Dangerous Liaisons." Veteran actors and young rising stars mix it up, infusing the film with tension and suspense. Given the nature of the film, the sensuality is not steamy. The director, Davis Guggenheim, manages to keep the use of music video like sequences down to a minimum. He focuses on the characters, and at about ninety-minutes that might be a problem because there a four interesting characters. It's easy to figure out where GOSSIP is going early into the story. However, there are a couple of twists, that might have been "red-herrings," but simply fizzle out. There is a sex pointless sex scene between roommates. It could be that it comes too early in the plot. I suspect that either the connection between the characters didn't necessitate the scene, or that it lacked passion. At one point one of the characters complains about the spoiled rich kids on campus, but is content to live in this fabulous loft apartment off-campus. Is it irony or simply bad writing? GOSSIP is sure to come under fire from numerous parent organizations, such as MADD. The film opens with the characters in a club, downing free cocktails. There is an impress bar even in the loft where they live, and are frequently imbibing. The alcohol consumption in GOSSIP seems to parallel the cigarette consumption in "The Ninth Gate." In the end GOSSIP is simply box office fodder to fill screens during a holiday season. Maybe worth a bargain matinee, GOSSIP is definitely a better $3.00 video rental. It will probably be located in either the "unmemorable" or "mindless entertainment" section of your local video store. OFFICIAL WEB SITE: |
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SYNOPSIS:
Three college roommates, each with distinct personality traits,
unite in spreading gossip about the "poor_little_rich_girl"
classmate for a class project. However, things begin to spiral out
of control and their idle chatter takes on dire consequences.