(dir. Karyn Kusama)
Despite
the fact that many horror movies have comedic elements (sometimes intentional,
but more often not), the horror-comedy sub-genre is a tough category for a film
to exist in. Outside of the zom-com and the dire Scary Movie/Haunted House
“spoofs,” horror-comedy is difficult to market.
Jennifer’s Body has it even
tougher as a horror-comedy that also serves as an allegory of the “BFF” phase
of adolescent girls. The film is mostly told
in retrospect by Needy, a high-school girl who witnesses her friend, Jennifer,
become a man-eating demon, proving the notion that “hell is a teenage girl.”
The
script by Diablo Cody (fresh off of her Oscar win for Juno) doesn’t cater towards broad comedy, rather it mixes
understated dark humor with camp. Tonally it’s an odd mix that I think worked
for it (it’s debt to Sam Rami is evident). Cody’s voice is unique and the
dialogue is original, a necessity for a film toying with high school clichés.
Though not all the clever remarks and witticisms hit their mark, they mostly
do. Cody has her own style and the language is always interesting, and while
sometimes forced, the intent rings true.
Needy’s
obsessive relationship with Jennifer is satirical but also provides astute
commentary on the relationships of high school girls. The film never goes into Heavenly Creatures territory, but there
is something disturbing about their near lack of concern for anyone but each
other. With the exception of Needy’s boyfriend and some guys Jennifer eats,
their relationship is oddly sealed off from the rest of the school. It is
Jennifer’s man-eating ways and her obsession with the band responsible for her
possession that drives a wedge in between her friendship with Needy. It’s a
rather clever use of the defining adolescent interests of sex and music. While
I think audiences (some hopeful, some weary) expected the film to be an
exploitation of Megan Fox’s then sex symbol status, Jennifer’s Body is far more interesting and sexually sensitive than
that. As a horror-comedy about women, written and directed by women, it really
is a film that offers a unique perspective that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Scare Factor: 1/5 It’s not necessarily scary, and
the humor isn’t always laugh out loud, but the film takes on quite a lot of
themes and ideas which creates a strange and fun horror-comedy. While it’s a
little rough around the edges at some points, Jennifer’s Body is smarter and more topical than it gets credit
for.
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