Images courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
Alright, clearly I have run out of interesting robot-themed movies to review (or at least, I am still too timid to attack science fiction leviathans like Blade Runner and Metropolis), and have now resorted to reviewing films currently playing or those that are, at the very least, interesting enough to merit a thorough treatment by an amateur. Jennifer's Body was released in 2009 and was a film that had every reason to be a blockbuster: it starred sexbot Megan Fox (then at the peak of her popularity), it was written by Juno's own Diablo Cody, and it had a plot perfectly poised to capture the imagination of the ultimate film target demographic: men and women aged 17-40. But the film flopped, bringing in only about $31 million at theaters (though this was enough to recoup the $16 million required to release the film).
Megan Fox fills out the role of Jennifer nicely.
Jennifer's Body received poor reviews from Roger Ebert (who called it Twilight for boys) and others, and was poorly advertised nationwide prior to its release. Perhaps 20th Century Fox did not have enough faith in the film to market it as fully as it deserved. Frankly, I have to disagree with Mr. Ebert on this one (as usual, actually). Jennifer's Body is clearly a film that is marketed towards young women, not young men as he postulates; Roger seems to base his statement about the target audience on the starring role of Megan Fox, without realizing that young women are just as enthusiastic about the larger-than-life beauty of the actress as young men are. Ebert may also be basing his statement on the strong element of sexual desire in the film, but the way the subject is handled is more characteristic of films for women as there is very little actual sex shown (as compared to Basic Instinct, for example). In addition to Megan Fox, Jennifer's Body stars Amanda Seyfried, Adam Brody, John Simmons, and J.K. Simmons.
Jennifer is sacrificed to Satan by Low Shoulder and its lead singer (played by Adam Brody)
Jennifer Check (Fox) is the stereotypical small town cheerleader: she is equipped with a killer body, a primal ability to attract the men and women in a two or three mile radius, and is followed around by a nerdy sidekick in the form of her childhood friend Needy (Seyfried). The contrasts between Jennifer and Needy are immediately apparent and more subtle differences become apparent later on the film. Jennifer is overtly sexual, both in appearance and demeanor, while Needy is thoughtful, modest, and retiring. If Jennifer and Needy had not been friends since they were children, it would be difficult to understand why they hang out in their last year of high school; indeed, it seems that Jennifer allows Needy to fill the role of homely friend/admirer and enjoys belittling her. In fact, Jennifer is not all that she seems to be. In spite of the sexual conquests she claims, Jennifer may actually be a virgin, which makes her the perfect target for a young indie band called Low Shoulder that Jennifer and Needy come across in a bar. Jennifer develops an immediate attraction to Low Shoulder's lead singer (played by Brody) and when he invites her to ride in the band's van, after the bar suspiciously burns down (killing most of the diners inside), she agrees.
In spite of her geeky appearance, Needy actually has a healthy sex life with her boyfriend. Seyfried really shines in this role. She sort of gives off the air of the sexy librarian who would be stunning if she she just took off her glasses and put some time into doing her hair.
Jennifer later reveals to Needy that she was brutally sacrificed to Satan by the members of Low Shoulder, but only after Needy notices that there's something not quite right about her. Jennifer shows up at Needy's home looking battered and bruised, and in the ensuing days after the tragedy of the bar fire, the corpses of several boys at school begin to surface. Jennifer tells Needy that after she was "sacrificed" a spirit took over her body and filled her with the desire to kill young men, like those that murdered her. The element of surreal humor, present throughout the film, dictates that Needy, although surprised by the announcement, does not do anything about it right away. Matters change when Jennifer decides to go after Needy's boyfriend Chip at the prom. Needy discovers Jennifer feeding on Chip and a brawl ensues. Chip dies as a result of the attack, but Needy shows up later at Jennifer's house and kills her in her bed. The murder is witnessed by Jennifer's mother and Needy ends up locked away in a psychiatric hospital, presumably also being accused of the deaths of the boys at school. The film ends with Needy telling the viewer that she gained some of Jennifer's powers after she killed ger as she levitates out of her cell and escapes from captivity. She announces her intentions of seeking out Low Shoulder to an ill-intentioned trucker that picks her up, hitchhiking on the road.
Possessed by an evil spirit, Jennifer commits random acts of deviltry, like burning her tongue with a lighter.
Diablo Cody and Karyn Kusama (the director of the film), have made it clear that Jennifer's Body was created with strong feminist overtones. Jennifer, in fact, has the feel of a more sinister, modern day version of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, and this is a role for which Megan Fox is perfectly suited. The strongest aspect of the film is the nightmarish quality of its early stages: the sudden fire in the bar, the grotesque deaths of the patrons, the devilish nature of Low Shoulder's lead singer, the monstrous appearance of Jennifer after her transformation. The unexpected nature of these early events keep the viewer riveted to their seat; but the film begins to collapse as it progresses. It takes a detour from modern-day "camp" and dissolves into the tangled and hackneyed forest of teenage horror film. The overtly-sexualized Jennifer is contrasted with Needy who, though plain in appearance, actually has what appears to be a healthy sexual relationship with her boyfriend, Chip. Jennifer's sexual nature perhaps is what causes her to be transformed into a succubus-type creature by the hellish spirit that takes over her body, and it, perhaps, is meaningful that Jennifer, in the end, is killed by the more sedate Needy. Is the point that Needy is what Woman should be and that creatures like Jennifer (created by the lustful designs of men) merit destruction? It is possible. The story does not fully explore this concept as much as it deserves, but the film is entertaining enough, though it leaves the viewer feeling incomplete and somewhat disappointed. The strength of the beginning of the film heightens this sense of disappointment, as the surreal and creative nature of the film gives way to the standard horror fare, but I would still recommend Jennifer's Body to anyone with an offbeat sense of humor (or some free time on their hands).
Unfortunately, Needy's boyfriend, Chip, becomes Jennifer's last victim.
