Prima Donnas

Kind of dumb, kind of fun! Take a piece of almost every 80's teen movie (whether or not it was intended?!), slap it together and you got the early 1990's `Primadonnas.' Originally titled `Social Suicide.' The classic debutante girl likes the guy from the other side of the tracks (in this case border), ala any early John Hughes pic., but snob mom won't have anything to do with him is the storyline. Then throw in some `Porky's' humor, a moment from `Mannequin' and a dab of `Valley Girl.' With uneven direction and a script, which isn't sure to be (or as good as) `Pretty in Pink' or `Porky's' and production quality which varies from fair to very good from scene to scene. You have a B-film that is kind of dumb but, admittedly, kind of fun. The acting is standard. With the male lead played by Peter Anthony Elliott, standing out. Very handsome and likable. Soap gal Shannon Sturges, in one of her first jobs, is very pretty and young. If you can find this one. Give it a look on a lazy Saturday afternoon. This one could become a cult classic! *Note - The dog scene toward the end, which comes out of nowhere, is outrageous!!

The film did have a limited theatrical release after a very successful film festival circuit tour. "Social Suicide" (foreign release) aka "Prima Donnas" (USA release title) premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival where it received excellent audience response and a great review in Variety, and was then invited to the Cairo Internation Film Festival, AFI FilmFest, Houston Worldfest, among others.

'Social Suicide' was interesting to actually see. It took several years to come out because of disputes for rights etc. It actually came out (straight to video) titled "Prima Donnas:Rebels Without a Clue".

It is just a fun little romp, similar in feel to 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'. Nothing special about the acting or the script, just plain light enjoyment. FYI Parts were filmed at a closed hotel in Palm Springs. I lived 20 minutes away and actually got a bit part (couple lines). I was just a little kid (12 or so) and it was an entertaining experience.