Jawbreaker (1999)

Three of the most popular girls at Reagan High accidentally kill the prom queen with a jawbreaker when a kidnapping goes horribly wrong.

Director:

Darren Stein

Writer:

Darren Stein

Stars:

Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rose McGowan	...	Courtney
Rebecca Gayheart	...	Julie
Julie Benz	...	Marcie
Judy Greer	...	Fern
Chad Christ	...	Zack
Ethan Erickson	...	Dane Sanders
Tatyana Ali	...	Brenda
Charlotte Ayanna	...	Liz Purr
Jeff Conaway	...	Marcie's Father
William Katt	...	Mr. Purr
P.J. Soles	...	Mrs. Purr
The Donnas	...	Themselves
Marilyn Manson	...	The Stranger
Carol Kane	...	Ms. Sherwood
Pam Grier	...	Detective Vera Cruz

Storyline

In what was meant as a harmless birthday prank, three of Reagan High School's most popular girls, Julie, Marcie, and Courtney pretend to kidnap their friend, the latter shoving a jawbreaker into the victim's mouth to keep her from screaming. Their plan goes awry when the girl accidentally swallows the jawbreaker, choking to death. The cool and calculating Courtney tries to cover the crime but is found out by school geek Fern Mayo. In return for her silence, Courtney transforms the gawky Fern into the stylishly beautiful Vylette, leaving the conscience-stricken Julie out in the cold, threatening to set her up for the girl's murder if she breaks her silence.

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Plot Keywords:

one word title | written by director | male objectification | barefoot male | bare chested male | 

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Taglines:

The sweetest candies are sour as death inside.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, language and violence, all involving teens

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Um Crime Entre Amigas

Filming Locations:

Culver City Studio Drive Inn - 5250 N. Sepulveda Drive, Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,603,425, 21 February 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$3,071,947, 18 April 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crossroads Films, Jawbreaker Productions Inc., Kramer-Tornell Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was one out of two of Lisa Robin Kelly's only theatrical film role in her career.

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Goofs

When the girls are taking Liz up to her room to make it seem like rape, when they are half way up the stairs you can see Liz's toes move.

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Quotes

Courtney: [to Fern\Vylette] I made you and I can break you just as easily.
Vylette: Good idea. Kill me like you did Liz.

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Connections

References Alice Sweet Alice (1976)

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Soundtracks

Yoo Hoo
Written by Lynn Perko, Roddy Bottum, Will Schwartz and Joan Stebbins
Performed by Imperial Teen
Courtesy of Slash/London Records
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

User Reviews

Kidnap-comedy with a dark streak; from the "Heathers" school of screen writing...

A group of ultra-hip teenage schoolgirls (from Reagan High!) accidentally kill one of their own in a birthday prank gone awry; they struggle to keep their deed a secret even after a nerdy student discovers the truth. Darkly comic tale, brightly-produced yet full of cynicism, has brief moments that go out on a limb, but is ultimately a rather formulaic "Heathers" knock-off. Holds interest nearly half the way, however the wrap-up is right off the assembly-line. It certainly benefits from a good cast, with the central performances by Rose McGowan and Rebecca Gayheart spot-on, however prominently-billed P.J. Soles, William Katt and Marilyn Manson hardly appear at all. *1/2 from ****