Based on the Archie comic book series, this teen flick is an exuberant adaptation of the characters of Josie, Valerie and Melody who form a rock group and are catapulted to stardom overnight after being discovered by a talent scout. Unbeknownst to the girls however, the label they have signed with, MegaRecords, run by Fiona (Parker Posey, revelling in the role of arch-villainess), insert subaural messages into the music that brainwashes teenagers into buying an array of products, from shoes to deodorant. When the label pushes Josie as the main artist, diminishing the roles of Val and Mel, the girls’ friendship is threatened. This film successfully satirises teenage marketing, consumerism, product placement, all-boy bands, manufactured pop and teen movies but undermines its credibility by gratifying the teen wish-fulfillment fantasy. The gaudy palette is utilised to great effect from the costumes of the band to the ever-changing sets; and the self-reflexive pop references flow thick and fast throughout the script that oscillates between all-knowing cleverness and straight up pandering to mainstream culture. Ultimately the film cannot decide which side of the fence it sits on but remains an amusing, fun distraction. Cast includes Rachael Leigh Cook, Tara Reid, Rosario Dawson, Alan Cumming and Gabriel Mann.
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Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
318175
Languages
Danish
English
English
English
Finnish
German
Italian
Norwegian
Swedish
Audience classification
PG
Subject categories
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Motion picture trailers
Crafts & Visual Arts → Cartoon characters
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Consumer behavior
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Teenagers
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Youth as consumers
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Teenagers
Feature films → Feature films - United States
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Teenagers
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Youth as consumers
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
DVD; Access Print (Section 1)