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Pretty Persuasion

  • 20052005
  • RR
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Pretty Persuasion (2005)
Trailer 1
Play trailer2:08
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama

A 15-year-old girl incites chaos among her friends and a media frenzy when she accuses her drama teacher of sexual harassment.A 15-year-old girl incites chaos among her friends and a media frenzy when she accuses her drama teacher of sexual harassment.A 15-year-old girl incites chaos among her friends and a media frenzy when she accuses her drama teacher of sexual harassment.

IMDb RATING
6.5/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Marcos Siega
  • Writer
    • Skander Halim
  • Stars
    • Evan Rachel Wood
    • Ron Livingston
    • James Woods
Top credits
  • Director
    • Marcos Siega
  • Writer
    • Skander Halim
  • Stars
    • Evan Rachel Wood
    • Ron Livingston
    • James Woods
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 86User reviews
    • 67Critic reviews
    • 45Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Videos3

    Pretty Persuasion
    Trailer 2:08
    Pretty Persuasion
    What Roles Has Evan Rachel Wood Turned Down?
    Clip 2:52
    What Roles Has Evan Rachel Wood Turned Down?
    Pretty Persuasion
    Clip 0:43
    Pretty Persuasion

    Photos184

    Elisabeth Harnois in Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    Evan Rachel Wood and Josh Zuckerman in Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    Jane Krakowski and Evan Rachel Wood in Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    James Woods and Jaime King in Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    Selma Blair in Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    Danny Comden and Ron Livingston in Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    James Woods and Evan Rachel Wood in Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    Jane Krakowski in Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    Elisabeth Harnois and Evan Rachel Wood in Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    Elisabeth Harnois, Evan Rachel Wood, and Adi Schnall in Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    Adi Schnall at an event for Pretty Persuasion (2005)
    Adi Schnall at an event for Pretty Persuasion (2005)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Evan Rachel Wood
    Evan Rachel Wood
    • Kimberly Joyceas Kimberly Joyce
    Ron Livingston
    Ron Livingston
    • Percy Andersonas Percy Anderson
    James Woods
    James Woods
    • Hank Joyceas Hank Joyce
    David Wagner
    • Morganas Morgan
    Brent Goldberg
    Brent Goldberg
    • Rickas Rick
    Adi Schnall
    Adi Schnall
    • Randaas Randa
    Elisabeth Harnois
    Elisabeth Harnois
    • Brittanyas Brittany
    Stark Sands
    Stark Sands
    • Troyas Troy
    Jane Krakowski
    Jane Krakowski
    • Emily Kleinas Emily Klein
    Michael Hitchcock
    Michael Hitchcock
    • Headmaster Charles Meyeras Headmaster Charles Meyer
    Danny Comden
    Danny Comden
    • Roger Nichollas Roger Nicholl
    Jaime King
    Jaime King
    • Kathy Joyceas Kathy Joyce
    Josh Zuckerman
    Josh Zuckerman
    • Josh Horowitzas Josh Horowitz
    James Snyder
    James Snyder
    • Daveas Dave
    Cody McMains
    Cody McMains
    • Kennyas Kenny
    Mike Erwin
    Mike Erwin
    • Barryas Barry
    Ira David Wood IV
    Ira David Wood IV
    • Martin Stiversas Martin Stivers
    • (as Ira Wood)
    Selma Blair
    Selma Blair
    • Grace Andersonas Grace Anderson
    • Director
      • Marcos Siega
    • Writer
      • Skander Halim
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Manipulative high school sophomore Kimberly Joyce leads her friends Brittany Wells and Randa Azzouni in bringing charges of sexual assault against Percy Anderson, their English and drama teacher at an exclusive private school in Beverly Hills. Meanwhile, local reporter Emily Klein, originally assigned to do an insignificant piece on the school, hopes that the scandal will launch her into celebrity in the television news business, while Kimberly's bigoted father, Hank, is concerned primarily with the effect that his daughter's accusations may have on his business. —Anonymous
    • lesbian
    • private school
    • female female kiss
    • lesbian sex
    • lesbianism
    • 275 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Evil comes in a school uniform.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong sexual content and graphic dialogue involving teens, and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Jane Krakowski did her bra and panties scenes she asked that all crew that worked the shot be without a shirt.
    • Goofs
      In the courtroom scenes, the girls wouldn't have been allowed to be in the courtroom when the others were testifying.
    • Quotes

      Kimberly Joyce: I have respect for all races, but I'm very glad that I was born white. As a woman, it's the best race to be. Especially if you want to become an actress, like I do.

      [pause]

      Kimberly Joyce: If I wasn't white, then the next thing I would wanna be is Asian because a lot of men like Asian girls because they think they're docile and subservient and sweet which I don't really think is true because I once met this Asian girl at summer camp one time and she was a real bitch.

      [pause]

      Kimberly Joyce: If I couldn't be white and I also couldn't be Asian, then my third choice would be African-American because I've always wanted to be a gospel singer and also, black men are more forgiving if your butt gets big. Except I'd definitely want light skin and Caucasian features like... Vanessa Williams or Halle Berry. And finally, you know, no offense or anything Randa, but my very last choice would be Arab. I mean, truth be told you're not in a very enviable position. There's a lot of resentment in this country toward the Middle East and there's a lot of stereotypes floating around which I don't think are true because in the short amount of time I've known you, you haven't tried to bomb anybody and you currently smell okay to me.

    • Connections
      Features South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Gare a Toi Jeune Amant
      Written by Gilad Benamram (ASCAP), Ran Pink (BMI) & Flora Benamram (ACUM)

      Performed by The Marionette Sextet

      Recorded and Mixed by Clint Bennett

      Published by EverBliss Music, Inc. (ASCAP), Ran Pink Publishing (BMI)

    User reviews86

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Like Shooting Ducks in a Row
    Greetings again from the darkness. This one just defies all labels, categories and genres. Definitely not a teen comedy, but it is part Black Comedy, Social Commentary and is written like a spoof ... but it is not a spoof of anything in particular.

    The first feature film from director Marcos Siega is off beat as both a comedy and drama. The viewer finds himself in situations of uncomfortable, guilty laughter while at the same time mesmerized by the social topics and excellent acting. The cadence of the dialogue is beyond description and is perfectly displayed at the dinner table with Evan Rachel Woods, her dad played by an over the top James Woods and her new step mom. The family dog plays a big part in the "conversation".

    The heart of the story is the devilishly orchestrated false (or are they?) accusations of sexual harassment against drama teacher Ron Livingston (so great in "Office Space"). With so many different agendas at play, we can't help but be drawn into to this story on many levels. Jane Krakowski ("Ally McBeal") shows a real Priscilla Presley side as the lesbian, glory-hound reporter. Selma Blair (Reece Witherspoon's nemesis in "Legally Blonde") is terrific as Livingston's semi-supportive wife.

    Make no mistake, the real star of the film, and the reason it works is the extraordinary talents of Evan Rachel Wood (just plain brilliant in "Thirteen"). Wood takes teen ego and self-centeredness and revenge to a whole new level. As one of the male teacher's states, her character is the devil. Watching how she manipulates her friends, teachers, boys and adults is quite the guilty pleasure. Very few actresses her age could pull off the role of this complex character.

    The music of the film is very interesting. It is almost as if each character has their own theme song - you can really sense the focal point of the scene by the music. Not sure who to recommend this to as it is impossible to categorize. If you are up for a strange, outside the box story that is well acted, simply filmed and full of uncertain laughter, then this is the one for you!
    helpful•12
    15
    • ferguson-6
    • Sep 4, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 25, 2006 (South Africa)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official site (Germany)
      • Official site (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Belalı Oyun
    • Filming locations
      • Loyola High School - 1901 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • REN-Mar Studios
      • Prospect Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $305,800
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $58,570
      • Aug 14, 2005
    • Gross worldwide
      • $537,126
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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    Why ‘Westworld’ Star Evan Rachel Wood Turned Down ‘Mean Girls’ (Video)
    Apr 20The Wrap

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