To Die For (1995)

Genre: Comedy / Drama

Directed by: Gus Van Sant

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Joaquin Phoenix, Matt Dillon

Running time: 106 minutes

Suzanne Stone is a driven and ambitious woman who sets her sight on the goal of becoming a news anchor. She marries Larry Maretto, hoping that his family business will bring in the money and keep him busy while she pursues her dream. When Larry is found dead, his wife is soon suspected of being involved in the murder.

Based on the novel of the same name written by Joyce Maynard, this film starts after the murder. All the way through, we go back and forth in the timeline. Every character, except of course the dead husband, tells his or her side of the story in a faux-documentary style, looking right in the camera while being interviewed by an invisible person. We get to see the story from the beginning to the end of the relationship between Suzanne and Larry. Then, the aftermath.

Nicole Kidman is absolutely fantastic in the main role. She was so believable as the manipulative and driven vixen; I have rarely seen her that good in a movie. Joaquin Phoenix was also very good in his role. It took me a little while to get in this film, since it started kind of slow, but I was finally pulled in for the ride and really enjoyed it.

Fans of simple story told in a linear fashion will not like this particular film, but it is well worth the time for the open-minded people. The movements back and forth within the story were done in seamless fashion; another solid directing job by Gus Van Sant. Fantastic black comedy.

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