Customer Reviews

Foxfire [VHS]

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Forget what ya heard, Foxfire is definitely not just a chick flick. I'm a guy and I've loved this movie since the first time I saw it. Initially, I'll admit I was attracted to it because it featured two of my favorite actresses(Jolie, Burress) but it was the story itself that has made me a devoted viewer of this movie ever since. The movie is miles and away different from the book it's based on, and not just due to the setting. The relationships between the girls are slightly altered, not to mention a good number of the girls are left out. That in no way diminishes how dead on the emotions each character portrays are played out. Thelma and Louise? Definitely a film made solely for the female audience. But Foxfire is just head and shoulders above that. Great film.

...and I'm not going to say sorry, either, for giving this movie five stars. While it is much different than the book (The movie eliminated Lana as a main character, and replaced her with Violet, who was a smaller character in the book; the book was set in the 50s, the movie in the 90s, etc.), it was indeed a wonderful, wonderful film. The main plot stays the same - five girls, each with troubled pasts, gang together to stop the world from messing with them ever again. They start by beating up a teacher who sexually harasses and molests female students that he keeps after school for detention, and it escalates from there, climaxing when the girls realize they've taken things a bit too far. The girls in the movie express such power, and their close ties with each other are heart-rending, especially at the end, when Maddy says goodbye to Legs. Angelina Jolie puts on a stunning performance, as always. This is the ultimate girl-power movie. A must see for every girl who's ever tried to make a difference, or just wanted to.

Hmm, I have a strong feeling that the previous one star review was by a man. Anyways onwards....... Okay, this film may not be without its flaws, but it certainly makes a refreshing change from the recent spate of terrible 'teen' movies; She's All That, Varsity Blues, etc. So what if the film didn't have a fantastic script or big stars, or whatever - not everyone can afford to shoot films on multi-million dollar budgets you know. The performances seemed subtle - I enjoyed the fact that the actresses (especially Angelina Jolie), conveyed emotion through their eyes, and use of body language. I thought the scenes between the girls were touching and heart-warming. I thought that the close bond between Legs and Maddie - the 'rooftop' scene and the ending in particular, were memorable because of the emotions that were conveyed by both actresses, and the frustration that I felt because they didn't get to kiss. Overall, this film is definitely one to watch - it shows the true value of friendship - portrayed way better than any other 'teen' movie. Also, if you ask me Thelma and Louise is a completely different film - why the heck are people comparing the two?!? Foxfire is THE definitive 'chick flick'. SEE IT. BUY IT. LOVE IT.

Upon first viewing I was disappointed, I felt the story left so many questions and I didn't understand the relationship between the girls, particularly the two main characters, Maddy, played by Hedy Burress, and Legs, played by Angelina Jolie. The plot moves so fast and the characters become so close so quickly, I didn't know how and why they got from point A to point B. To answer my questions I went straight to the source and read the book, then I re-viewed the movie. It was then that I fell in love. The adaption was brilliant, the story was slightly different but the movie kept the book's important elements, the most important being the characters. The producers of this film couldn't have picked anyone better than Angelina Jolie, who displays many of the same qualities of her character, Legs. Angelina Jolie's portrayal is so real, yet she is so dreamlike, etherial, and addictive. These people put together as one is a lethal combination for both the audience and the other characters within the story. As a movie on its own, it's entertaining but I would recommend reading the book then watching the movie. The combination truly gives you an understanding for the story and the characters, more-so than just doing one without the other.

Great movie, for anyone. The plot mostly stayed true to real life events, how someone can come into your life within the blink of an eye and force you to look at yourself and inspire change. The way Angelina Jolie's character changes these girl's lives is inspirational, some become strong, one questions her sexual identity, all of them evaluate themselves... Although the end of the movie throws you off a bit and becomes somewhat surreal, the portrayal of unexpected bonding, unexpected friendship, unexpected love, and unexpected choices gives this movie enough reality to stir your emotions for a very long time.

When Foxfire first came out, I had no interest to watch it at all. Recently I became a huge Angelina Jolie fan. The main reason to watch the movie was her. Jolie is great as usual. She gives everything into her character and is very good. The reason that films like these don't get as much publicity as their male counterparts is because they are all are so stereotyped and labeled. And while the generalization about most "female bonding" films is true, the same could be said about the men. And what makes each film stand apart is the emotion and ideas of the characters. The plot is based on real life situations, and the characters and the charisma they deliver is what makes the film so liberating and exciting to watch. The girls are learning life lessons, growing up, experimenting, facing hard issues and learning to cope and understand each other.

Angelina Jolie has some brilliant lines and poses as an almost Mother-like figure, affecting their lives forever, sheltering and explaining, and persuading the girls to take an extra risk, or risks, rather. It's very intimate and she does an incredible job playing "Legs". It isn't meant to represent what all girls do, and don't bother looking for a movie about lesbians guys. It gets very ethereal at points and made a point about bonding and unity. Don't bother looking for deep intellectual comments either, because the most poignant scenes are sullen and the actresses use their eyes over words.

The opening scenes are good, the way they introduce the oppressed victims, and you see the wide-eyed looks as are often given by people who are afraid - but who will later look for comfort in Legs and her new-found posse. It is all set up very well. And the touching ending scenes provide closure, showing how very real, and sincere, everything has been. It's not sugar coated in any way and let's you take a glimpse into a female perspective that does not revolve around whether or not they have a boyfriend, and whether their hair and make-up look okay. And if at least 1 girl can watch a movie like that, or read a book like that, and be inspired enough to raise her self-esteem and not let anyone walk over her, then it has made a good impact. After all, it's simply not often movies about self-proclaiming girls rebelling get in this much of a spotlight, right?

This was a very beautiful film. When I rented it, I had to watch it three times. Now I want to buy it. The music was excellent. The best song was "I Don't Want To Think About It" by the Wild Strawberries. I just had to cry in this movie. The ending is sad, but it's also happy in a way. Believe me, this is NOT just another stupid chick flick. Foxfire is emotional and it shows you the true value of friendship. I recommend it to all girls and even guys.

I don't know if stars can really rate something like this... but, still, this is an extremly poignant, touching film in it's own rights. I saw part of the movie a few months ago, and was left in a daze, b/c I loved it so much. Then, a week after seeing it, (and I was still mulling over the movie in my mind occasionally,) the bright cover of Joyce Carol Oates' book FOXFIRE, upon which the film was based, caught my eye. I didn't even see the title, just the bright oranges and pinks of the cover. I picked it up, and was thrilled! I read the book all in one sitting that night... *who needs sleep? and that homework can wait, too!* I immediately passed it on to my closest friend, and she raved about the book with me. I love the film as a seperate story... if I had never read FOXFIRE the book, I still would love the movie. And, if I had never seen FOXFIRE the movie, I would still love the book. Finally, 'nuff said.

Foxfire is an excellent movie that demonstrates the friendship of 5 girls who learn how to stand up for themselves in this world. The inspiration for their newfound rebellion is from the 5th girl that brings the 4 others together, Legs, played phenomenally by Angelina Jolie. I must say this: I really don't care much for Ms. Jolie, and perhaps the media is to blame by making stories like her & Billy Bob and their whole blood thing the top news story, more recently her husband-stealing with Brad Pitt, but I cast aside those feelings for an hour and 40 minutes and found myself absolutely loving her performance. If you are like me and don't like her, please do give her a chance in this film. She's astonishingly good and I kept having to remind myself it was Angelina.

As a matter of fact, the entire cast turns in memorable performances. I think this is a great movie for women to watch but I don't know if men will enjoy it quite as much. I did see one male reviewer claiming he didn't find it to be just a chick flick, but he might be the minority. Guy or gal, if the story sounds intriguing to you, and it really is, then Foxfire is definitely worth checking out. I give it only 4 stars simply because the character of Maddy (wonderfully played by Hedy Burress) has a boyfriend but she nevers breaks up with him and he kind of fizzles into the background. Left me wondering why he was even in the movie to begin with, but that's my only criticism.

At this price, it's a fabulous addition to your collection, though believe it or not, the low price right here on Amazon has been beaten by Wal-Mart...it's in the $5.50 bin. This is a great movie that reminds us that sometimes people will make it difficult for you to do the right thing, but you must believe in yourself and stand for what you believe. Definitely recommended!

I love the book by Joyce Carol Oates, which made it hard to like this radically different story. However, I did like Maddy and Legs, the two main characters, but the other characters that made it into the movie are not well developed at all. And the 5 that make up the group "Foxfire" are strangers at the beginning of the movie who we are expected to assume half way through the movie with virtually no dialogue amongst them are closer than sisters.

If you do accept this assumption the second section of the movie will draw you into their world. They are tough, together and having fun. But then again there is a quick shift and the ending flashes through major life events like losing a loved one, crime and drug addiction with no real depth.

Even with drastic cutting from the book the movie obviously tried to tackle too much of that great story and ended up with very little of the sincere connection these girls had and the motivation that their connection gave them to fight against anyone who tried to endanger the closeness of the group.

Read the book, and if you watch the movie don't expect too much from the plot, focus on the two main characters and you might be able to enjoy it.