All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)

Director:

Jonathan Levine

Writer:

Jacob Forman (written by)

Release Date:

15 February 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

There's something about Mandy all the boys love.

Plot:

A group of high-schoolers invite Mandy Lane, a good girl who became quite hot over the summer, to a weekend party on a secluded ranch. While the festivities rage on, the number of revelers begins to drop quite mysteriously.

Plot Keywords:

Party | Drugs | Female Serial Killer | Pact | Two Killers

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Amber Heard	...	Mandy Lane
Anson Mount	...	Garth
Whitney Able	...	Chloe
Michael Welch	...	Emmet
Edwin Hodge	...	Bird
Aaron Himelstein	...	Red
Luke Grimes	...	Jake
Melissa Price	...	Marlin
Adam Powell	...	Dylan
Peyton Hayslip	...	Aunt Jo
Brooke Bloom	...	Cousin Jen
Robert Earl Keen	...	Keg Trucker

MPAA:

Rated R for strong disturbing violence, pervasive drug and alcohol use, sexuality/nudity and language - all involving teens.

Runtime:

USA:90 min | Canada:88 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:18 | USA:R | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | UK:18 | Germany:18 | Sweden:15 | Finland:K-18 | Australia:MA | Portugal:M/18 | New Zealand:R18 | Argentina:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Occupant Films

Trivia:

Local legend has it that John Wilkes Booth evaded capture in Virginia after his assassination of Abraham Lincoln and was the caretaker on the ranch property. He told the property owners his true identity as he was dying. They buried him in an unmarked grave next to the oak tree which Mandy Lane walks by to see Garth.

Goofs:

Continuity: Chloe's hair style changes several times during her topless scene.

Quotes:

Red: [to the freshmen potheads] There she is boys, Mandy Lane. Untouched, pure. Since the dawn of junior year men have tried to possess her, and to date all have failed. Some have even died in their reckless pursuit of this angel.
Jake: I can see your nipples.
Chloe: Obviously.
Marlin: How do you get them that hard?
Chloe: It’s a secret.

Movie Connections:

References "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Good Day

Oh Mandy, well you kissed me and stopped me from shaking.

Mandy Lane has bloomed and become one of the prettiest girls in high school. So pretty, in fact, that some of the guys will try anything to get with her (as shown in the pleasingly nasty first 5 minutes or so). Not JUST pretty though, she goes and tops things off by being a very nice and thoughtful girl too. She seems to be a perfect package. So the three main lads in this movie know their main aim when they invite Mandy (and two other girls . . . . back ups?) to Red's ranch. Three boys, three girls, the party is all set to be a great one. Oh, there's also one gun-toting ranch hand to protect the area and someone who seems intent on despatching the revellers one at a time.

While this isn't the most original slasher movie I have ever seen it does manage to feel fresher than most thanks to the above-average acting from most of the people involves and the motivation behind the killing. Amber Heard is fantastic in a lead role that isn't easy, she has to convincingly play someone that can entrance boys and yet still get on with everyone equally and have no air of superiority about her. The guys are all suitably love-struck and competitive for her affections while the other girls are alternately friendly and bitchy in a way that girls can be when vying for male attention. Anson Mount is also very good as Garth, the ranch-hand determined to protect the teens and yet exasperated by their partying and intoxicated behaviour.

While there are one or two nasty moments, the movie is a rather tame affair. There IS blood flowing but it's pretty diluted and things could have been a lot worse for the victims this time around. Many people may think that's a bonus but, while I agree that blood is not essential for a great horror movie, I felt that it gave the appearance of director Levine holding back at the last minute.

Overall, a good blend of sunny teen movie and twisted slasher flick.

See this if you like: Babysitter Wanted, Cherry Falls, Amber Heard.