Retro Film Review: The Crush (1993)

(source: tmdb.org)

Many men dream of being the love interest of a beautiful girl. However, such dream can turn into nightmare, especially when such girl happens to be emotionally unstable minor. Protagonist of this film, 28-year old journalist Nick Eliot (Carey Elwes) can't imagine the ordeal that awaits when he rents garage in the home of upper-class Forrester family. 14-year old Darien Forrester (played by Alicia Silverstone) needs company and Nick soon becomes her trusted friend. However, young nymphet soon develops certain feelings for Nick and tries to seduce him. But her efforts are in vain; Nick not only wants to do the right thing, he finds love interest in Amy Maddick (played by Jennifer Rubin), female colleague with more appropriate age. Darien is furious and begins not so subtle campaign of harassing and dirty tricks, with the sole aim to grab Nick and keep it for herself. Soon, Amy's, and later, Nick's life come into danger.

The script by movie director Alan Shapiro was ideal for the dark, erotic thriller inspired by Kubrick's Lolita. Unfortunately, the producers, fearing any possible controversy during the zenith of Political Correctness, decided to drop any hint of erotica down the drain. Instead, they turned the movie into just one of the many thrillers of those times, dealing with disturbed individuals who wreak havoc in the previously idyllic worlds of middle-class American families. The only difference this time is the fact that the psychopathic individual in question happens to be is 14-year girl. She was played by Alicia Silverstone, teen actress who had already became famous as the star of Aerosmith videos. The fame received through those videos was enough for Silverstone to win the 1993 Best Villain MTV award based on the role in this movie. Although she did put some effort in her first major film role, her talent didn't show very much, mostly because of the terrible, formulaic script, full of implausible situations and standard plot devices. In order to be really impressive villain, her character had to be really charismatic and possess some evil intelligence - being pretty isn't enough, when her actions don't make sense (like putting the object of her affection in jail). Even erotic appeal, required for this kind of movie, is suppressed because of auto- censorship. With the exception of male lead, Carey Elwes, other actors in this film are doing the capable job, and the direction is more or less adequate. In the end, The Crush is watchable, but easily and justifiably forgettable Hollywood product, who could be interesting only for the hard core fans of Alicia Silverstone.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on May 6th 1999)