Year of Release: 1997
Director: David Mirkin
Starring: Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, Alan Cumming, Janeane Garofalo, Julia Campbell, Elaine Hendrix, Jacob Vargas, Camryn Manheim, Justin Theroux, Kristin Bauer, Vincent Ventresca, Mia Cottet, Neil Dickson
Genre: Comedy
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 4
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Synopsis and Review
David Mirkin has had a lengthy association with Matt Groening's "The Simpsons", but "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" was his feature directorial debut, following some TV work he did in the late 1980s into the 1990s, which included "Newhart" and "Get a Life". The narrative of the film is very much on target with its title: Romy and Michele are two women in their late 20s who live in LA. Romy is a receptionist in a garage while Michele is currently unemployed. Romy crosses paths with one of their high school colleagues, Heather Mooney, who is now a successful business mogul. Heather asks if she's going to the high school reunion, one that is about to take place. The two friends who weren't even aware of the event, reminisce about their days in high school, with Romy in particular being pained since she thinks the both of them were somewhat outcasts, and were never part of the cool crowd. Michele on the other hand, thinks high school was fun, since they were always together, and had a blast by themselves. Romy thinks their current lives are a bit underwhelming and decides that upon arriving at the reunion they should lie about their accomplishments since leaving high school. Michele goes along for the scenario, but midway through the drive to Tucson they realize they haven't decided what lie to spin for everyone at the reunion. They decide to make up the story that Romy invented post-its, and that Michele's uncle had a printing business to build them. This lie causes a rift between the two of them, since Michele accuses Romy of deeming her insufficiently capable of inventing post its. As they further bicker about their attractiveness, they both decide to go their separate ways upon arriving at the reunion.
"Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" has become an audience favorite since its release in 1997. A somewhat campy and silly film that people love to watch even if its flaws and shortcomings are quite obvious (possibly the reasons why it has maintained its popularity). It joins other films such as "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar", "Muriel's Wedding", "Death Becomes Her", "The Devil Wears Prada", and "Clueless", to name but a few. The film is light in terms of its narrative, but also in terms of its pretension, which is also one of its stronger suits. It's unpretentious and it clearly aims to reinforce the message of self acceptance and self content, particularly as these two women who have been friends forever, and particularly the more insecure one of them, have to grow up and figure out how to move through life by being their authentic selves, without trying to appease everyone around them. It's a film that creates its humor from the obliviousness of these characters to the cruelty of those who surround them, but also by illustrating this microcosms of pop culture and over the top fashion statements in which the central characters exist. There isn't much to this film aside from what the cast brings to it, and in this case Lisa Kudrow and Janeane Garofalo really shine through, easily creating characters that are hilarious, but also possessed of a heart (and mind). The remaining cast hits some highs, such as Alan Cumming, Julia Campbell, and Camryn Manheim, while others such as Mira Sorvino feel miscast (and always trying to catch up to their more talented counterparts). The production team is solid, including Reynaldo Villalobos cinematography, Mona May's costumes, and Steve Bartek's score. It's a film that touches upon some recurring themes, and while not the most creative or original, it has enough cleverness and talent to withstand the test of time.
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