Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

A girl group find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy to deliver subliminal messages through popular music in this send up of the music industry and pop culture.

Directors:

Harry Elfont, Deborah Kaplan

Writers:

Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont,

Stars:

Rachael Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson, Tara Reid

5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rachael Leigh Cook	...	Josie McCoy
Rosario Dawson	...	Valerie Brown
Tara Reid	...	Melody Valentine
Gabriel Mann	...	Alan M.
Paulo Costanzo	...	Alexander Cabot
Missi Pyle	...	Alexandra Cabot
Alan Cumming	...	Wyatt Frame
Parker Posey	...	Fiona
Tom Butler	...	Agent Kelly
Carson Daly	...	Himself
Aries Spears	...	The Other Carson Daly
Alexander Martin	...	Les (as Alex Martin)
Faedragh Carpenter	...	Teenage Fan
Justin Chatwin	...	Teenage Fan
Marites Pineda	...	Teenage Fan

Storyline

For years, the record industries have inserted subliminal messages into music so that they can turn teenagers into braindead zombies who do nothing but buy, buy, buy. And whenever the musician or band finds out the truth, the record company silences them to keep the truth from coming out. When the hot boy band DuJour discovers this, their manager, Wyatt Frame, under his evil, corrupt boss, Fiona, has the plane they are flying in crashed and him looking for a new band to use for their evil schemes. Enter Josie, the ditzy Melody, and the tough Valerie, from Josie and the Pussycats, a small band who wants to make it to the big top. When they are discovered by Wyatt, they give in and become big rock stars. But will they find out that they are just pawns for the record industry or will fame take them over?

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Plot Keywords:

band | subliminal message | boss | pop culture | music industry | 

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Taglines:

They were three small time girls, with big time dreams. Now, fate is giving the Pussycats, the chance of a lifetime.

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Universal

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 April 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Josie et les Pussycats

Filming Locations:

41st Avenue at Yew Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£37,662 (UK) (24 August 2001)

Gross:

£37,662 (UK) (24 August 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Riverdale Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rachael Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson, and Tara Reid actually played the songs in the film.

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Goofs

When Wyatt and Fiona are watching the girls at the big party, their monitor starts out with no text. The shot cuts to Wyatt and Fiona talking, then back to the monitor which now has the surveillance camera's location along the bottom.

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Quotes

[Josie, Melody and Valerie listen to the song snippet they just recorded, now with subliminal messages]
Melody: I want a Big Mac!
Valerie: But, Mel, you're a vegetarian.
Melody: I know, but suddenly I want one!

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Crazy Credits

Outtakes are shown while the credits are rolling.

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Connections

References Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

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Soundtracks

"Love Will Keep Us Together"
Written by Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield
Performed by Captain & Tennille
Courtesy of A & M Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Josie and the girls, well, they rock!

Josie (Rachael Leigh Cook) is the lead singer and guitarist for the all girls rock band, as depicted in the Archie comics. They are mocked by fellow students, despite being quite talented. No has discovered them, its true, but things can change. A deceptive and evil record producer needs new blood and orders an underling to find some fresh faces. Naturally, Josie's group practically falls into his lap. They are signed and touted everywhere. But, is this the real thing or is the mother of all exploitation plots being hatched? Will Josie and the girls stay sweet and unjaded by their fame? What a fine and fun film this is! Girls will love it, yes, and the guys will love the chance to see three beautiful gals on celluloid. Tara Reid is very, very funny as the slightly dense rocker and Cook is a joy as the talented and pretty leader of the group. Parker Posey and Alan Cummings are terrific as the evil music executives and they appear to be having a ball oozing bad vibes. The costumes, needless to say, are just what a fashion loving female would admire. There is a love story, too, for those who beg for tale of romance. Then, too, the three young rock stars are very good role models for the younger set. Ladies, whatever your age, try to spend a bit of time with Josie and company. The laughs are infectious while the sweetness-versus-evil plot is guaranteed to provide a venue to help you forget your worries and make you smile, smile, smile.