Romy et Michelle : 10 ans après

I'm not sure the amount of time that has to pass before a film is considered a classic but this is definitely one to me. It's unique, funny, heartfelt and with a retro zing. Mira Sorvino (Mimic) and Lisa Kudrow (Friends) star as Romy and Michelle two bright, sassy, stylish young women who receive an invite to their high school reunion where they were once bullied and made fun of. To show up their old nemeses they come up with a plan to create two new, more impressive lives and get the respect they wanted for so long. Throw in a dream sequences, some hilarious jokes, great performances from the leads and Janeane Garofalo (Reality Bites) amongst others and a clever, heartfelt screenplay and you have the makings of this comedy classic. Revisiting it's easy to see why it's attained it's cult status.

Budget: $20m Box Office: $29m

Romy (Mira Sorvino) and Michele (Lisa Kudrow) live in Venice, California and love watching the film Pretty Woman. They also adore going out to the dance clubs every night and looking for their own potentially rich boyfriends. However, on most evenings they end up turning down invitations from jerks and dancing with each other instead. Word arrives that their ten year high school reunion is approaching. Since Romy and Michele were certified geeks at school, they get the idea that they will make a triumphant return as winners. After all, they both look pretty and they can make up the rest. So, they outfit themselves as successful businesswoman, with a hot car and cell phone and take off for Arizona. Will they be able to fool the old gang with their new, trumped-up identities? This is a classic tale of dumb blondes who are clueless but, who nevertheless, end up making good. Sorvino and Kudrow are perfection itself as the dimwitted but lovely blondes. Janeane Garofalo is also on hand to steal scenes with her acid wit and intelligence. The costumes are to die for and the overall production values are very nice. But, most importantly, the humor is abundant and zestful. If you need to drop all your worries and get your fighting spirit back, spend an evening with the delightful Romy and Michele. They will make you giggle and get you ready to face the more somber world again with a renewed and optimistic attitude.

The movie is very funny, I had many laughs at the more dim of the two (the stereotypical dumb blonde) Michele. What's nice about the film is the way it accentuates what true friendship really means, standing by one another. The two went from being the fat girl (Romy) & the girl with the back brace (Michele) to being two attractive fun-loving women. The lesson the pair learn is to be yourself & be proud of who you are. Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino are perfectly cast in this film, as are all of the other characters (including extras - which is unusual). As well as a great script though, this film also has great music. If you like 80's music then this film is for you, as it features throughout the entire film.

Yes, it was over the top. Yes, it was predictable. But Janeane Garofalo's performance made this movie worth buying. I loved how Romy and Michele seemed to be completely oblivious to their own personal lack of accomplishments. The fashion/costume design is delightfully tacky, and there's a sweet message at the end. I also think this was Lisa Kudrow's best performance in all the movies she's ever done and was even more impressive than her ditsy Phoebe Buffay character on "FRIENDS". The film is not meant to be very serious, so don't expect a script that reflects with 100% accuracy the daily lives of people. This is meant to be as a funny story of two people to entertain the viewer and I believe it's quite successful in doing that. Get some snacks, get your favorite drink and start watching to see who invented Post-Its!

Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION (1997) ***1/2 Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming.

Hysterically funny comedy about two best friends/roomies Sorvino and Kudrow (think female "Dumb and Dumber") facing their 10th high school reunion and, realizing their lives are not worth really bragging about, coming up with pseudo lives. Lots of belly laughs especially Kudrow's explanation of how Post-It glue is made and her run in with a limo. Garofalo is a scream as their fellow bitter alumni. Kudos to costumer Mona Maya's outlandishly colorful creations, Robin Schiff's kitschy screenplay based on her play "Ladies' Room" and a waycool soundtrack of ersatz 80s tunes (best one: The Smithereen's "Blood & Roses" to start off the flashback). Directed in high comic style and snappish glee by David Mirkin.

Two women (Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sovino) get into a lot of trouble when they go to their high school reunion and lie about their lives after twelfth grade.

This film is a win. It could not be called a "great" film and maybe not even a "good" film, but it sure is a lot of fun. From the 1980s music, to the outrageous outfits... and the very, very subtle references to "Scream" and "Pulp Fiction". I loved it all. And the guest stars: Alan Cumming, Camryn Manheim, Janeane Garofalo? Classy 90s, too.

Although I have never and will never attend a reunion -- and I doubt this film accurately captures what a reunion is like -- I really had a lot of fun with Romy and Michele.