“To Die For 1995” is a satirical-erotic-thriller that explores the life of a beautiful and ambitious woman named Suzanne Stone, who will stop at nothing to become famous. She is like a chameleon, changing her skin to fit her surroundings, and has the manipulative powers of a cobra. Suzanne’s ultimate goal is to be a television star, and she uses everyone in her path as rungs on her ladder of success. But when one person becomes an obstacle, she sheds her facade and reveals the venomous predator that lies beneath. In the end, her desire for fame proves to be fatal – she’s caught in a trap that even she can’t escape.
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Review
Deep in the American town of Little Hope, New Hampshire, a woman named Suzanne Stone desperately tries to make a name for herself. She wants fame and recognition more than anything, and she will stop at nothing to get it. This is the gripping tale of “To Die For”, a movie that showcases the lengths one woman will go to just to be in the spotlight.
The plot begins with Suzanne Stone (played by Nicole Kidman), a beautiful and ambitious TV personality who dreams of becoming the next Barbara Walters. She is determined to achieve her goals, even if that means abandoning any semblance of morality or decency along the way.
Suzanne’s marriage to Larry Maretto (played by Matt Dillon) becomes a pawn in her quest for fame. Though she married him out of love, she soon realizes that this working-class man is not going to help her achieve her dreams. And so, she decides to eliminate him from her life by any means necessary.
Together with two young lovers, Jimmy (played by Joaquin Phoenix) and Lydia (played by Allison Folland), Suzanne enacts a sinister plan that involves murder and deceit. She convinces them to kill Larry so that she can continue her rise up the career ladder without being held back by his “small-time” life.
The story unfolds through interviews with characters involved in the case, as well as through footage shot by Lydia as part of a school project. It’s a unique storytelling technique that adds depth and intrigue to an already captivating plot.
But what makes “To Die For” truly remarkable is its cast. Nicole Kidman’s role as Suzanne Stone earned her critical acclaim and cemented her status as one of Hollywood’s finest actresses. Matt Dillon delivers an understated yet powerful performance as Larry Maretto, while Joaquin Phoenix shines as Jimmy Emmett – the troubled young man who falls under Suzanne’s spell.
In fact, it’s difficult to find fault with any of the performances in this movie. The entire cast is exceptional, bringing the story to life in a way that feels both real and surreal at the same time.
But what also makes “To Die For” a standout film is its commentary on society’s obsession with fame and notoriety. Director Gus Van Sant uses Suzanne’s character as a metaphor for the lengths people will go to in order to achieve their dreams, even if it means harming others in the process.
The movie was released in 1995 and received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. It was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress for Nicole Kidman’s performance.
While the storyline and acting are undoubtedly excellent, “To Die For” also boasts exceptional cinematography. The use of bright colors and bold camera angles adds a surreal quality to the film that perfectly complements its themes of ambition and deceit.
As with any great movie, “To Die For” has its share of memorable scenes. The most haunting is perhaps Lydia filming herself as she contemplates suicide after realizing how she has been manipulated by Suzanne. It’s a chilling moment that sticks with you long after the credits have rolled.
Despite being over 25 years old, this movie still holds up today as a masterclass in filmmaking. Its commentary on our culture’s obsession with fame feels especially relevant in today’s world of social media influencers and reality TV stars.
In conclusion, “To Die For” is an exceptional film that deserves all the praise it has received over the years. It’s a gripping tale of ambition and deceit brought to life by an outstanding cast and masterful direction. If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and give it a watch – you won’t regret it.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 106
- Release : 1995-09-22
- Genre : Drama, Comedy, Crime
- Cast : Nicole Kidman as Suzanne Stone, Matt Dillon as Larry Maretto, Joaquin Phoenix as Jimmy Emmett, Casey Affleck as Russel Hines, Illeana Douglas as Janice Maretto
- Crew : Danny Elfman as Original Music Composer, Howard Feuer as Casting, Beatrix Aruna Pasztor as Costume Design, Jonathan T. Taplin as Executive Producer, Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr. as Executive Producer
- Popularity 13.22
- Budget : $20,000,000
- Revenue : $21,284,514
- Company : The Rank Organisation, Columbia Pictures
- Summary : Suzanne Stone wants to be a world-famous news anchor 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.
- Tagline : All she wanted was a little attention
