Supposedly "steamy" thriller is adapted by director Guy Ferland from the story by Robert Coover. It basically functions as a vehicle for then up and comer Alicia Silverstone, cast as the title character. She's a high school student sitting for middle aged couple Harry and Dolly Tucker (J.T. Walsh and Lee Garlington), who have three kids. She inspires fantasies in not only the lecherous, drunken Harry but her estranged boyfriend Jack (Jeremy London) and his shady associate Mark (Nicky Katt). Even her male charge Jimmy (Ryan Slater, Christians' kid brother) gets in on the act.
This should have made for a more watchable experience, but it fails to be all that interesting, whether it follows the activities of the aimless youth or the weary older generation. There are so many fantasy sequences that viewers may feel challenged to keep track of when the film is actually showing "reality". Also, people may feel cheated that Silverstone isn't showcased to sexier effect. Apparently, she wouldn't do this film until the nude scenes were cut. Adding to that problem is the fact that her character (not to mention most of the characters here) just isn't that compelling.
This impressive cast certainly has worked with better material. One does feel embarrassed for the late, great Walsh. Garlington has a somewhat meaty role as his wife who is despondent over not being more desirable to her worthless husband. George Segal and Lois Chiles, as their friends throwing the party that they attend, have precious little to do. Too much time is spent with London and the amusingly smarmy Katt as they prowl around the Tucker home, and it takes the film too long to get going.
Fans wanting a Silverstone fix would be better off revisiting "Clueless" or even "The Crush".
Six out of 10.
This should have made for a more watchable experience, but it fails to be all that interesting, whether it follows the activities of the aimless youth or the weary older generation. There are so many fantasy sequences that viewers may feel challenged to keep track of when the film is actually showing "reality". Also, people may feel cheated that Silverstone isn't showcased to sexier effect. Apparently, she wouldn't do this film until the nude scenes were cut. Adding to that problem is the fact that her character (not to mention most of the characters here) just isn't that compelling.
This impressive cast certainly has worked with better material. One does feel embarrassed for the late, great Walsh. Garlington has a somewhat meaty role as his wife who is despondent over not being more desirable to her worthless husband. George Segal and Lois Chiles, as their friends throwing the party that they attend, have precious little to do. Too much time is spent with London and the amusingly smarmy Katt as they prowl around the Tucker home, and it takes the film too long to get going.
Fans wanting a Silverstone fix would be better off revisiting "Clueless" or even "The Crush".
Six out of 10.