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 & 13 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 | pantyhose | pantyhose legs | nylons | new hampshire | 

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Taglines:

She knew what it took to get to the top... a lot of heart and a little head.

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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

Nicole Kidman's performance in this film went on to serve as inspiration for several other actresses. Reese Witherspoon decided to star in Election (1999) and Charlize Theron choose to do Young Adult (2011) after seeing Kidman's turn as Suzanne Stone. Rosamund Pike also said she used Kidman's performance as inspiration for her performance in Gone Girl (2014). Ben Affleck (Casey's brother) starred with Pike in the latter film.

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Goofs

On the night that Larry is murdered, Suzanne, her parents and Larry's parents are all shown sitting inside the apartment where he was shot. As a murder scene, it would have been taped off for forensic examination. There is no way it would have been contaminated on that level. It would have been at least a week before anyone outside of the CSI team were allowed in.

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Quotes

Lydia Mertz: [about Jimmy] He says that he needs to see you and that he's dying of love.
Suzanne Stone Maretto: Ughhh! Tell him to call a doctor.
Lydia Mertz: And Russell wants his money, and his CDs.
Suzanne Stone Maretto: Really? Well, you tell Russell if he doesn't keep his mouth shut, he's gonna be playing his goddamn CDs in the gas chamber!

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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 Royal Pains: Ta Da For (2011)

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Soundtracks

SEASON OF THE WITCH
Written by Donovan (as Donovan Leitch)
Performed by Donovan
Courtesy of Epic Records and EMI Records Ltd.
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing and EMI Special Markets UK

User Reviews

Nicole Kidman is to die for

Nicole Kidman's breakthrough film, indie director Gus Van Sant's tragic-comic tale of Suzanne Stone (Nicole Kidman) a fame obsessed housewife who seduces three teenagers to get rid of her husband (Matt Dillon.) To Die For is directed in a pseudo-documentary style with some of the characters telling their story to the camera. Writer Buck Henry seems to be commenting on the superficiality of TV personalities, weather forecasters and talk show hosts with his references to Geraldo Rivera and Maury Povich and Suzanne's obsessive desire to be on TV.

The acting is outstanding from everyone. Nicole Kidman is the perfect choice for the seductress whose emotional age seems to be about ten years old and gives new meaning to the word "superficial." Joaquin Phoenix shows evidence of the star he would become. Alison Folland and Illeana Douglas are excellent.

I'm an admitted Nicole Kidman fan and this film shows her talent. She's also a gorgeous woman. Recommended.

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