A messy but hungry film like this is more interesting than cool technical perfection.
75
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Sloppy, self-satisfied and surprisingly heartfelt.
63
New York PostJonathan Foreman
New York PostJonathan Foreman
Less an updated version of the Dostoevsky novel than an unusually somber Hollywood teen love story.
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
Melodramatic look at alienated California high school students.
38
Chicago TribuneMark Caro
Chicago TribuneMark Caro
Just say no.
25
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
Not faithful enough to be an adaptation, too misguided to be considered an interpretation, and not funny enough to be a parody, this film would do well not to advertise its inspiration.
Completed before the release of "American Beauty," this contrived, puffed up little picture nonetheless seems like a ripoff, perhaps because it mines the same tired assumptions and unexamined stereotypes about suburban family life.
10
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
The "crime" was that it was made in the first place and the "punishment" is having to watch it.
0
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
A somber, draggy, deadweight, lugubrious, absurdly self serious version of ''American Beauty.''