A Little Bit of Lipstick

WHY I WATCHED IT-The only thing I knew about this movie was that it stars plus model extraordinaire Mia Tyler, a woman whom I admire greatly, due to her outspoken stance on the issues of body acceptance and self-image.

THE DOPE-Every once in a while, I see a movie that is so good that I feel I don't possess the adequate writing skills to compose a review that would do it justice, or even vaguely communicates how great said movie was. Such is the case for writer/director JT Foster's A LITTLE BIT OF LIPSTICK. Most of the time, I review independent films that are filled with either sex or blood, and it's easy to praise the fun factor of something like that. It's easy for me to talk about how bizarre something was, or how great an exploding head looked. But LIPSTICK is a reality-based drama, one that deals with important subjects and yet manages to still be a movie and not hit you over the head with its message. It's exceptionally well-written and well-acted, and the editing works beautifully as well, moving things along at precisely the right pace. And how is Mia Tyler? Well, aside from being stunningly beautiful (she IS a model after all), she proves herself to be quite an actor as well. Because I know how the real-life Mia feels about the subjects her character Laura deals with in the film, her performance is even more believable and effective. She definitely lights up the screen with her smile, and drives the story home with confidence and grace. This is the kind of movie that everyone needs to see, and a movie that would help a lot of people who struggle with poor self-image and media-induced misconceptions about what beauty really is.

MEMORABLE SCENES-While Mia's character is performing in a play, the scene calls for her to take off her dress, leaving her in just a slip in front of an entire audience. She is clearly nervous, and turns her back at first. But when she sees the smiling face of a co-star from backstage, she smiles and turns to face the crowd. NOTES-Learn more about this awesome movie by going to the official LIPSTICK MOVIE website.

I was able to see this film on a special screening night in the town which it was filmed. I think that of the entire sold out crowd, I may have been the only one who did not star in this film. The crowd seemed to enjoy it, but I think they were having more fun seeing themselves and their properties on the big screen. The story revolves around a Hollywood celebrity who must rebuild his credibility and a playhouse that is on the verge of shutting down. The two are able to help each other, as the once admission-deprived theater is recharged with the arrival of a Hollywood star. Throw in a little love story and you get A Little Bit of Lipstick. Mia Tyler, to her credit, does a fine job as the young woman unwillingly appointed to babysit the spoiled Hollywood brat. It has a few redeeming qualities, but it's a pretty sub-standard romantic comedy.