Johnny Simmons

Comic relief is usually a good way of becoming a remembered in films, but comic relief in a comedy that’s already funny is no guarantee that you’ll be remembered. I’m not sure if I’m the only one who remembers this entry, but I know quite a few who don’t. Unfortunately so, since she’s a top notch comedienne. So, here’s a look at a funny lady who’s become forgotten:

                     

                

Amy Poehler is too young for the role of Rachel McAdams’ mother; that much is obvious. However, in Mean Girls with the aid of a fake breasts and a plastic-like makeup we have her transformed - kind of. We first meet her on our visit to Regina’s house where she brings drinks to the Plastics and Cady. An apprehensive Cady asks if any liquour is involved to which Poehler deadpans: No. What kind of mother do you think I am? Do you want some though? Because if you’re going to drink, I’d rather you do it in the house. Cady smiles dubiously and we can’t help but laugh. As an SNL stalwart Amy is notorious for her comedic timing. However, her speaking lines are not what sell me on her character - it's her expressions. At the Christmas concert as the Plastics do their annual dance of Jingle Bell Rock, the camera alternately cuts to Amy in the aisle dancing in tandem – every gyration, every twist of the hip. It is one of the funniest moments of Mean Girls and it works because we completely believe that this woman is living vicariously through her daughter and friends. It’s as she tells them, You keep me young.

               

I’ll just bite the bullet now. I’m a fan of Lindsay Lohan. She’s definitely hitting a rough patch, but in her heyday she showed the promise of becoming one of the more talented performers of her time. It’s not often that a teen movie makes you think as much as it makes you laugh, and it’s not often that a modern teenage film about girls can be smart enough that it doesn’t turn into a chick flick. But, there is always that one special one and for me Mean Girls is that one.

                          

I figure a good deal of my early appreciation of Mean Girls derived from my teenage lust appreciation approval for Lindsay Lohan, however that doesn’t distil the goodness of the film.; both as a cinematic treat and a teenage experience. I have two older sisters, so my repertoire of light [and often senseless] teenage films is not exactly sparse. I’ve seen Bring It On  which is fine[and the dreadful sequels] more often than I’d care to admit, many of Julia Stiles’ and Lindsay’s and even some Hilary Duff [not too much, thankfully], Cruel Intentions, The Hot Chick and on and on and on.

Generally, I like to think of Mean Girls as the best of its kind. You may think me blasphemous, but I see no reason why it couldn’t have gotten some love from the Academy. As much as I love my AMPAS, [or used to]  I have to admit that a film’s reception often depends on momentum. Sure they weren’t in competition against each other, but having a teenage film like Juno up for laurels and Mean Girls not even getting a screenplay nomination seems awfully backward. But I digress. Big surprise. Back to Mean Girls. As someone who’s generally reticent about Tina Fey I have to applaud her effective writing of Mean Girls, not just by teen films’ standards – but generally. The script is riddled with quotable line after quotable, Gretchen's breakdown and the catch-phrase that's so fetch. It's just funny moment after funny moment, and the cast is more than up for it. Lindsay, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chebert, Amada Seyfreid, Amy Poehler, Tim Meadows, Lizzie Caplan and even Tina Fey doing her non acting schtick, are all on point here.

              

Mean Girls is a film that works well for males as well as females; for adults as well as children. In its own way it’s little intricacies are just as fulfilling as any serious film. Okay, I’ll level with you. Mean Girls isn’t the best acted, best directed or best written film. But we can’t all be! It’s a good watch. It’s satisfying and funny, but it’s real and serious. It’s thought provoking but never moralistic. What more could you want in a comedy? My name is Andrew, I’m a straight guy – and I like Mean Girls. Perhaps I should be in therapy, but tt’s my #80?

               

Am I alone on this one, or can you appreciate the loveliness?