College student Derrick Webb (James Marsden) has it all: money, looks, charm & 2 great friends/roommates – hard-working Cathy Jones (Lena Headey) & artistic Travis (Norman Reedus). In fact, the only thing Derrick hasn’t managed to “get” so far is Johns. Jones wants him too but she is just afraid of the aftermath.
This all seem to be interested in the beautiful & filthy rich blonde Naomi (Kate Hudson). After all, she is known for being against sex, despite being in a relationship with the cute Beau (Joshua Jackson). And Jones heard that Naomi started a rumor about Jones sleeping with their professor – Goodwin (Eric Bogosian).
So when Derrick witnesses Bo and Naomi making out heavily in a party – with Naomi too drunk too tell Beau off, Derrick gets the perfect idea for Goodwin’s class. Why not spread a rumor that Naomi slept with Beau that night and see how well it spreads?
Of course the rumor spreads like crazy. However before the trio can fully enjoy their results, the unexpected happens. The rumors reach Naomi. She was so drunk that night that she doesn’t actually remember what really happened. So she believes that Beau raped her. Beau is arrested. Jones wants to come forward, but Derrick stops her. After all- what if Beau really raped her? It is not like Derrick saw the whole thing….
From then on, events take on amazing twists and turns. And if you are worrying I gave away too much of the plot, don’t. The movie really starts kicking ass right after Beau is arrested. What started as a sexy & intriguing teen college drama turns into an intelligent and even sexier mystery/thriller. No gore. Almost no blood. Practically no effects and no big budget. Just a talented cast, a smart script and really good storytelling.
Pay attention to James Marsden. The cast is good enough but I have to say James steals the show with his wonderfully grey character Derrick.
Written by Gregory Poirier. Directed by Davis Guggenheim.
Fun notes:
* Kate Hudson (she plays Naomi) is actress Goldie Hawn’s biological daughter. She is very close with her step dad, Goldie Hawn’s long-time partner Kurt Russell.
* Noticed someone familiar among the students? It is none other than Kris Holden-Ried, who you might remember as William Compton from The Tudors, or from the romcom Touch of Pink. Does Kris remind anybody else Chris Martin of Coldplay, or is it just me?
Recommended Reading:
Other good movies with great scripts and not-so-high budgets:
Other Articles on James Marsden & His Movies
Straw Dogs starring James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgard & James Woods
James Franco, James McAvoy & James Marsters: Collective Trivia for 3 Namesake Actors
The Box starring James Marsden, Cameron Diaz & Frank Langella
Stardust, The Air I Breathe, Playing by Heart, The Good Shepherd, Hairspray & He’s Just Not That Into You: 6 Good Movies with Brilliant Casts (Hairspray features James Marsden
Enchanted starring Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey & James Marsden
Movie Reviews of 4 Nicholas Sparks Adaptations: A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, Message in a Bottle and The Notebook (The Notebook co-stars James Marsden)
The 24th Day starring James Marsden and Scott Speedman
Also on Joshua Jackson:
Cursed starring Christina Ricci, Joshua Jackson & Jesse Eisenberg
Fringe starring Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv & John Noble
Fringe Trivia: 13 Facts About Fringe Cast, Crew, Plot Feat. Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv, Mark Valley…
The Shadow Dancer starring Joshua Jackson, Claire Forlani and Harvey Keitel
.