New DVD showcases worst side of 'Girls'

By <br>By Niamh Slevin
Daily Arts Writer  On  January 20th, 2004

At first glance, “Uptown Girls” seemed like a
relatively cute premise for what was ultimately the summer’s
biggest chick flick. This fairy tale adventure of two very
different lost and confused kids in the city was supposed to elicit
the feeling that selfless friendships can heal wounds faster than
any money or any man. With the lackluster array of summer movies
last year, this ploy may have worked for some. Unfortunately, after
forcing oneself through the DVD special features, the film better
resembles a comedy of errors than a whimsical story.

The movie might not be half as bad if only it were better cast.
As expected, Brittany Murphy (“8 Mile”) and Dakota
Fanning (“I Am Sam”) play virtually the exact same
roles they always play, and the behind-the-scenes feature suggests
their on-screen personalities aren’t too far off from their
off-screen mannerisms. Murphy uses her limelight more often as a
forum to shake her booty rather than act and strives to highlight
her uncontrollable facial twitches in each of her many close-up
shots. Fanning, who acts like a creepy 30-year-old trapped in a
little girl’s body, performs her character with all the
warmth and personality of a totalitarian dictator.

Just because one can add special features and audio commentary
to a DVD does not necessarily mean one should. The special edition
of “Uptown Girls” includes a trip to the resident
costume designer, who proceeds to provide a lengthy explanation of
how she dyed Murphy’s shoes to match one flower on her dress.
The deleted scenes prove that only the very best actually made it
to the final cut, which makes the movie seem even more pitiful than
before.

While “Uptown Girls” may have caught a few eyes in
the midst of the summer lull, its DVD release flounders in
competition with this season’s feel-good success stories.

 

Film: 1 out of 5 stars.

Picture/Sound: 3 out of 5 stars.

Features: 2 out of 5 stars.

Printed from www.michigandaily.com on Sat, 26 May 2012 19:06:32 -0400