To Die For

1995

1h 46m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

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96 Images

Drama

Comedy

Crime

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.

Directors

Gus Van Sant

Writers

Buck Henry(screenplay by)

Joyce Maynard(novel by)

Stars

Nicole Kidman

Matt Dillon

Joaquin Phoenix

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Videos2

Trailer
Watch To Die For (1995) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
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Photos96

Top cast

Suzanne Stone

Larry Maretto

Jimmy Emmett

Russel Hines

Janice Maretto

Lydia Mertz

Joe Maretto

Ed Grant

Earl Stone

Carol Stone

Faye Stone

Angela Maretto

Mike Warden

Ben DeLuca

Mr. H. Finlaysson

George

Fisherman

Fisherman

Directors

Gus Van Sant

Writers

Buck Henry(screenplay by)

Joyce Maynard(novel by)

All cast & crew

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Review

Featured review

6/10

Nicole Kidman stars as a local television personality who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, but it is Gus Van Sant's direction that really shines. Kidman plays Suzanne, a none-to-bright woman who decides she wants to be a giant media personality. She marries Larry (Matt Dillon), a restaurateur, and settles for doing the weather at a dead-end television station. Suzanne sees that Larry is not behind her career, and uses a trio of teens to kill him. She begins her plan by befriending them while shooting a documentary, then begins sleeping with James (Joaquin Phoenix), who in turn conspires with Russell (Casey Affleck) and Lydia (Alison Folland). Most of the film is told in flashback by the killers and families of Suzanne and Larry, and Suzanne herself. "To Die For" is a strange film. Acting wise, the professional cast is saddled with one-note characters. While top-heavy with supporting players, Suzanne never really changes much, or offers enough menace to feel anything for her. Dillon fades into the background as Larry, trying too hard to make him normal. Buck Henry's screenplay is full of fits and starts, never gathering enough darkness to become a successful dark comedy, nor enough edge to become a successful satire. This is a shame, since celebrity due to murderous acts is such a part of our lives today. The film never takes that final step and calls the media on the carpet, instead trying to get the viewer caught up in the mechanics of Suzanne and Jim's relationship, and Suzanne's progressively strange certainty that she will be famous. Gus Van Sant's direction is absolutely fantastic. The interior of Larry and Suzanne's home is hysterical. His camera always finds the perfect tone of a scene, even if the scene is not especially well-written. I am one of the few who did not think much of "Drugstore Cowboy," although I do appreciate many of the films Van Sant has done since. "To Die For" gets the viewer geared up for a no-punches-pulled look at popular culture, then throws in the towel before the bell even rings. I cannot recommend it, despite the fine direction, the rest is a disappointment.

CharlesTatum27 Sep, 2023