Attention Gen Z, if you truly want to know what people wore in the late 90s, I refer you to this movie.
In a nutshell, two college roommates find out about the “roommate suicide” clause (if your roommate commits suicide, you’re automatically given a 4.0 GPA) and concoct a plan to stage the suicide of their roommate who is awful to his girlfriend. I honestly wouldn’t have given this the time back in 1998 when there were several made-for-TV movies coming out along side USA, TBS, and TNT airing some great classics, BUT - Matthew Lillard. I was among the teenagers coming off his performance in Scream and adored him in Hackers while looking forward to SLC Punk hitting the rental shelves.
It all starts with the script that I’m only going to say left a lot to desire for something original - I’ll leave it at Tim’s manifesto / suicide note that is remarkably similar to JD’s manifesto in Heathers when he’s about to blow up the school. I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the ending with a twist it would make M. Night Shyamalan envious.
I’ll map this out - original suicide plan is made between Tim and Chris to off Rand for the perfect GPA, but then Tim (Lillard) rocks the boat by hinting that Chris killed Rand; cut to the last act where suddenly Emma (Russell) and Tim turn on Chris to push him over the same cliff they pushed Rand over (and Rand’s girlfriend leapt from), but then Rand steps out of the shadows, a gun is brandished and they all turn on Tim to shove him off the cliff. The last act is shown as Rand narrates basil exposition while confessing to a therapist.
So, let’s talk wardrobe and how I feel lucky to not have been in college in 1998. The overall blandness of basic college aged adults with loose polo shirts, capris, and barefoot loafers.
We’re going to jump to the awards because there really isn’t much else to say except Kerri Russell sweeps as not only having the best performance (this was months before Felicity premiered), but best dressed, that I’ll also admit it might be her hair.
Final award goes to Rand for best quote - said to Tim before throwing him over “We’ll dedicate a ward of the psych department to you.”
My final thought, The Curve (originally advertised as Deadman’s Curve) is pure 90s fromage. It akin to individually wrapped Kraft Singles.
Lillard, I love you, but this ain’t it.