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Jennifer's Body: Movie Review September 25th, 2009 Posted by Hunter Wilson
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Yes, I know what you are thinking! No way could this be good. Too many cliches and teenage debauchery have to have dragged this down. Honestly, it was much tamer than would be expected and most everything was left to the imagination, which is key in creating real horror, as honestly who really needs to see a leg being crushed in an escalator, a la Final Destination 3D.
The plot is simple but brilliantly the foreshadowing really doesn’t leave you knowing what is going on until the reveal by Jennifer herself who openly revels in painting the plot in a way that is both funny and scary, especially to her audience of one; yet, perhaps, the most important thing is how interesting and well written the reveal is with some moments that perhaps may be too old for the audience including a rendition of the 80’s classic, Jenny (867-5309). Jennifer, portrayed by the media overexposed Megan Fox (double entendre intended), is the most popular pretty girl is school who coincidentally happens to sleep around. As it happens, this sleeping around is what ultimately dooms her to become exactly as described in the title. Had she not done that very thing, then she wouldn’t have ended up in the position she found herself in Devil’s Kettle alone in the woods with a rock band capable of doing anything for power and fame, especially if that thing was at the expense of someone else, i.e. Jennifer.

The interesting part is how themes of feminism are mixed in with some great one-liners that really get you to thinking, if you are woman of the power you hold. Ironic is the fact that after her rebirth of sorts Jennifer is not any different in her beliefs, i.e. that women hold the power. It is only in what she does to sustain that power that she has changed because ultimately Jennifer was always on a path that benefited Jennifer at other’s expense, i.e. boys and her best friend, Needy.

The surprising standout in this movie is the very talented, Amanda Seyfried, who as Jennifer’s mousy friend Needy is exactly that until the overt changes in Jennifer acts as a catalyst that converts Needy from a follower (of Jennifer) to a leader in perhaps the most surprising way imaginable. Seyfried’s performance is especially powerful as we, the audience, observe Jennifer’s transformation through her eyes, the eyes of a friend who can’t believe what she has turned into much less why. It is Seyfried’s Needy who evolves into the kick butt (“kicker”) first and take names later type of feminist hero which the movie eludes is possible throughout: a hero who ultimately writes the own end to her tale.

Probably the more surprising casting for the movies was that of Adam Brody, the geeky son from the OC, who plays completely against type as the perpetual bad boy rocker and front man to Low Shoulder, a band who sky rockets to fame after meeting Jennifer. Coincidence, well, I will leave you to watch the movie and find out. Brody so well portrays the logic of his badness and the plan he has for reaching stardom that the explanation he gives for his behavior seems well almost logical: which is the real scary part! Moreover, Brody provides a commentary on the twisted way which the media makes notoriety into pop culture fame, and how he and his friends are willing to exploit that to their benefit. Also look out for the song Through the Trees, which is eerily memorable with its catchy lyrics, but which Brody admits he did not sing.

One of the critiques of the film has been that the rating is keeping the teen audience away. I would have to agree. There were few people at the showing I attended in part because the film is marketed to a relatively young audience some of whom would be too embarrassed to watch some of the sexier scenes with their parents as chaperones. Yet, I have to say this film is pretty good and kept me thinking and trying to guess what exactly happened to the very end. Moreover, I would never have guessed what actually happens at the end because it is so unexpected: horror with a tad of Girl Interrupted inserted.

Rating 3.5
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Hunter Wilson
Owner, CarolinaNightlife.com1 Posts
Charles is the Executive Director of Carolina Nightlife and very involved in the nightlife industry in NC and SC. He has been working with venues of all sizes, different brands and products, and countless events across NC and SC for over 8 years.