[Vince Maskeeper]

I searched the forum for older post and couldn't find much discussion on this topic, so I thought I'd start one.

In the past I've been pretty surprised to see the forum unify behind some films which I felt were great, but I assumed the rest of the world had never really heard of. Case in point: SAY ANYTHING. I considered this to be a "personal" favorite for me, a film which I was destined to spend my life trying to convince friends to check out. But when the mention of this title went up on the forum, an audience I never knew existed came out in droves to pledge their undying love for this film.

And the other day I was thinking about the film BEAUTIFUL GIRLS. This film ranks number one on my "I thought I would hate it but ended up loving it" list. The film, the characters- everything just struck me as endlessly enjoyable. Heck, to this day I can't see Max Perlich pop up in a movie or on TV without thinking "Look, it's Kev!"

The problem is the current DVD is seriously lacking. To be fair, the disc hit shelves in early 1999, kinda in the infancy of DVD. The picture is non-anamorphic widescreen Laserdisc recycle and there is nothing on the disc but the film.

I was wondering if this film too has a hidden audience who have passed on the current disc and are waiting for a reissue (I noticed the IMDB rating is a quite high 7.1). The film is really well put together, and heck even Rosie O'Donnell is enjoyable- no small feat in my book. The main cast is highlighted by Mira Sorvino, Uma Thurman and Lauren Holly-- three true modern beauties and, unlike the Maxim model of the moment- real quality acresses. Natalie Portman appears in a small but completely film stealing role as Marty, a teen with more wisdom than the majority of "adults" in the picture.

The film just captured so many elements I see everyday among my small town group of friends and acquaintances: The refusal to grow up and let go of your high school reality, the search for meaning in everything but yourself, the obsession of unobtainable goals, the quiet desperation of dysfunctional relationships, and most of all the peculiar way we all fall into our old modes when we find ourselves in the company of old friends...

With the unexpected death of Director Ted Demme we lost forever the chance to get his thoughts on this film (His 3rd feature)- but I really think that Miramax/BV should consider revisiting this title and putting out an edition the fans of this film can really enjoy and cherish- like the Say Anything release from Fox. At the very least the film could certainly use a new reissue with a decent anamorphic transfer... I'm just curious if there is any audience for this film to warrant such a reissue.

-Vince

[Jeff Ulmer]

There are a number of Miramax titles from the same era that this one was released in that at the very least deserve new anamorphic transfers and rerelease: Sirens, The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down a Mountain, etc.

Beautiful Girls is a great film, and would tie in with Episode II for Portman's role (which indeed did steal the show). Demme's death just goes to show that getting directors and cast to participate in commentaries, even if the films may not be released for some time, should be a priority, as these opportunities can not be relied on indefinitely, and once lost, are gone forever.

That said, it seems BV doesn't quite get it when it comes to a lot of their releases, such as the nonanamorphic releases of their foreign properties (Purple Noon, Belle de Jour - both solicited as anamorphic). It would not surprise me if they neglected all their earlier titles, but I sincerely hope someday they revisit them properly, even if not as SEs.

[Peter Kim]

I loved this film - I'd buy a reissue. I was enchanted by the entire cast and how they interacted. This movie sparkled for me mostly because of the conversations held in their upper Midwest, blue-collar vernacular and philosophies borne from middle-age reflections on lost glory.

Doesn't hurt that the film is set in my 'backyard'. Also, never much liked Timothy Hutton in anything prior to this, but he delivers quite an understated yet memorable performance. Particularly refreshing is the tete a tete's held between Hutton and Portman. She shines here.

Aside from the Professional, I think this is Natalie Portmans best film performance yet.

Re-issue is warranted!

[Todd Hochard]

I'd buy it in a second.

[Todd Terwilliger]

Vince,

I had the same experience with this film. I thought I'd hate but loved it instead. I'd definitely buy a reissue.

[wally]

Thanks Vince,

Funny, I was just talking to a friend about this film the other day. I'd buy it too. Great performances from everyone. Michael "The Plow" Rapaport is outstanding as are Richard Bright and David Arquette as Widower and son that don't have many females in their lives.

Ms. Portman glows. And yes Rosie is marginally likable.

Chalk it up as a purchase for me.

[Patrick Sun]

As an owner of the current release, I'd buy a re-release (hopefully with some good SE material on it).

[Marc_E]

I had not intention of liking this film but when I stumble across it on a movie channel and watched it, I really enjoyed it. I would buy the SE.
Marc

[David Brashear]

Own it and would buy a reissue in a heartbeat.

[Aryn Leroux]

Wouldn't it be a good way to honor Ted Demme's memory by getting the cast together to do a commentary or some retrospective interviews ? Nah it's too logical to happen probably. But I would also buy a re-issue!

[Damin J Toell]

Beautiful Girls is Jonathon Demme's favorite film that Ted made, so perhaps he would be willing to contribute to some sort of DVD re-release.

DJ

[Mark Cappelletty]

I love the film, but doubt that BV will do much with it. I kept my WS laserdisc.

Great soundtrack, though-- and my favorite band, Cincinnati's late, lamented Afghan Whigs show up to play not one, but two songs.