Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Theresa Randle | ... | Girl 6 | |
Isaiah Washington | ... | Shoplifter | |
Spike Lee | ... | Jimmy | |
Jenifer Lewis | ... | Boss #1 - Lil | |
Debi Mazar | ... | Girl #39 | |
Peter Berg | ... | Caller #1 - Bob | |
Michael Imperioli | ... | Scary Caller #30 | |
Dina Pearlman | ... | Girl #19 | |
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Maggie Rush | ... | Girl #42 |
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Desi Moreno | ... | Girl #4 |
Kristen Wilson | ... | Salesgirl #1 | |
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K Funk | ... | Salesgirl #2 (as k funk) |
Debra Wilson | ... | Salesgirl #3 | |
Naomi Campbell | ... | Girl #75 | |
Gretchen Mol | ... | Girl #12 |
This Spike Lee film examines the life of an aspiring actress in New York. She is upset by the treatment of women in the movie industry during one of her screen tests with 'QT'. Out of work and desperate for money, she decides to take a job as a phone-sex operator. Here, unlike her previous dealings with potential employers, her (female) boss is kind, caring, and sensitive. Later, she begins to get too engrossed in her work and starts to lose touch with reality, represented by her friend and neighbor, Jimmy. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
Amazing how badly received was this film. Only an average of 5 from the IMDb viewers?? In my opinion it is a remarkable film from many points of view, daring and interesting, one of Lee's best.
There are many layers in this film. Let us start with the story - an Afro-American actress refuses to expose her body for screen tests, finds herself unemployed, and the lucrative job she finds is in the phone sex industry. Is this job less exposing and more honorable? It seems it is, and what comes plays on a fine line between acting and living a virtual life, that takes over the mundane aspects of the say-to-day life (a kleptomaniac ex, a timid neighbor). The dream plan becomes more complex, intertwined with the story of a little girl that went through an accident to be saved redeemed by the good people around. The film asks questions about the border between passion and addiction, between real life and imagination in a series of lively sketches. Lee with his Afro-American New York reminds here Woody Allen at his best when re-creating the Jewish New York.
Unfortunately, the end is conventional and a little bit confusing. However, the film has many qualities, and a strong cast, first of all the amazing Theresa Randle. I wonder how such a wonderful actress disappeared after such a film, does anybody know what happen to her career? Good movie, worth watching, growing up in time. 8 out of 10 on my personal scale.