Simply Millennial

     “The Dead Girl” is very much alive.

[Image courtesy of hdaddicts.com] 

In the style of movies like Go, Traffic, and Babel, The Dead Girl is made up of multiple story lines that interwine into one unfolding drama. From the moment the movie started, I was hooked.

I’ve followed Toni Collette since she did Muriel’s Wedding, and I just can’t get enough of her. She’s so versatile, and her image has come a long way.  In this film, her character is an introverted rural woman who starts the plot rolling by happening upon the body of a dead girl. The story unfolds from there-each scenario bringing in stellar cast members, including: Giovanni  Ribisi, James Franco, Mary Steenburgeon, Marcia Gay Harden and Kerry Washington-just to name a few. It all leads up to the discovery of who the dead girl actually is and how her fate came to pass.

What stands out about this film is how the depth of each character is revealed without explaining too much or taking up too much of our time on back story. Though there are many of them, each character’s multi-dimensional parts are intricately revealed in an hour and a half. This is writing at its most brilliant.

And the casting is brilliant as well. Kerry Washington plays a knockout role, all while being a knockout herself. And Marcia Gay Harden makes us really believe she is the grieving mother of the dead girl, who is played by Brittany Murphy.

This movie is grim-definetely not for someone looking for a light-hearted feature. But if you’re into well-crafted indie types, then you have to rent this.

I give it 4 out of 5 popcorn tubs!