To Die For (1995)

A beautiful but naïve aspiring television personality films a documentary on teenagers with a darker ulterior motive.

Director:

Gus Van Sant

Writers:

Joyce Maynard (book), Buck Henry (screenplay)

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, Joaquin Phoenix

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicole Kidman	...	Suzanne Stone
Matt Dillon	...	Larry Maretto
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Jimmy Emmett
Casey Affleck	...	Russel Hines
Illeana Douglas	...	Janice Maretto
Alison Folland	...	Lydia Mertz
Dan Hedaya	...	Joe Maretto
Wayne Knight	...	Ed Grant
Kurtwood Smith	...	Earl Stone
Holland Taylor	...	Carol Stone
Susan Traylor	...	Faye Stone
Maria Tucci	...	Angela Maretto
Tim Hopper	...	Mike Warden
Michael Rispoli	...	Ben DeLuca
Buck Henry	...	Mr. H. Finlaysson

Storyline

Suzanne Stone (Kidman) knows exactly what she wants. She wants to be a television newscaster and she is willing to do anything to get what she wants. What she lacks in intelligence, she makes up for in cold determination and diabolical wiles. As she pursues her goal with relentless focus, she is forced to destroy anything and anyone that may stand in her way, regardless of the ultimate cost or means necessary.

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Plot Keywords:

scantily clad female | new hampshire | television | coitus | copulation | 

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Taglines:

She was prepared to go all the way... for what she wanted.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, and for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Stephen Dorff and Edward Furlong were considered for the role of Jimmy Emmett. Furlong expressed disappointment over not receiving the part, as he wanted the role and felt he had a successful meeting with director Gus Van Sant.

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Goofs

Lydia says that Suzanne let her drive her car even though she did not have a learner's permit. New Hampshire does not issue learner's permits. Anyone at least 15 1/2 can drive if accompanied by a licensed driver at least 25 years of age.

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Quotes

Jimmy: Any time it rains, or when there's thunder and lightning, or when it snows, I have to jack off.

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Crazy Credits

A scene plays out over the end credits where Janice skates over the ice rink where Suzanne has been buried.

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Summer Special 2008/09 (2008)

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Soundtracks

WINGS OF DESIRE
Written by Mark Tierney, Paul Casserly & Fiona McDonald
Performed by Strawpeople
Courtesy of Sony Entertainment (New Zealand)

User Reviews

It's all been said before

As a screenwriter, Buck Henry's credits include "The Graduate" and "Catch 22." As an actor, he has appeared in the above named films, as well as "The Man Who Fell to Earth' and "The Player." He has also hosted TV's "Saturday Night Live" often enough to be considered a regular. Yes, Mr. Henry's resume is impressive, but for me he will be immortal for the answer he gave Johnny Carson after the "Tonight Show" host asked him if he had made any plans for his death. "I want my friends to gather around my remains," Henry said, "and try their DAMNEDEST to bring me back to life."

When Henry does die, I doubt it will be from laughing at his script for "To Die For." Henry's screenplay could have used more of the wit he displayed when chatting with Carson. Instead, it offers some fairly tired cliches about America's obsession with celebrity, and, other than a few memorable moments, it relies entirely upon Nicole Kidman who is the cutest sex kitten since Ann Margret. This film says nothing about television or celebrity that wasn't said earlier and better by Paddy Chayefsky in "Network" or Oliver Stone in "Natural Born Killers."

Details

Country:

USA UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

To Die For

Filming Locations:

King City Secondary School, King City, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$386,510, 1 October 1995

Gross USA:

$21,284,514

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$21,284,514

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Laura Ziskin Productions, The Rank Organisation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1