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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Homage to the Original Movie Divas, November 19, 2003
Angela Arden, a one-time singing sensation, is fed up with her overpowering, Hollywood-producer husband Sol Sussman. Unable to continue with his abuse, she kills him and makes it appear to be a heart attack. The children -- Edith and Lance -- suspect foul play in their father's death and are determined to prove that Angela played a major role in it.This is a witty, campy tribute to the melodramas of the 1950's and 60's that starred such actresses as Bette Davis, Susan Hayward, and Joan Crawford. The style and glamour of those films is captured marvellously with smart dialogue, glamourous costumes, and spot-on acting. They show a genuine regard for the genre, instead of making a joke of it. Charles Busch wrote the screenplay, which includes many memorable lines, very reminiscent of those old melodramas, and wonderful plot twists. He also stars in the film as Angela Arden and gives one of the best performances I've seen in quite a while, full of dignity and respect for the actresses who played such roles in the past. In fact, the movie is filled with fine performances: Philip Baker Hall as Sol Sussman; Jason Priestly as Tony Parker, a giggolo who will sleep with anyone to get to the truth; Frances Conroy as Bootsie, the maid who is loyal to Sol; Natasha Lyonne as Daddy's Little Girl Edith Sussman; and Stark Sands as Lance Sussman, who hides a shameful secret. A fine movie and a loving tribute to the original movie divas.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Busch is Absolutely Fabulous!!!!, April 6, 2004
The film Die Mommie Die has been on my list to own since seeing it twice in the theatres. Charles Busch leads a star studded cast to perfection in this hilarious parody and a loving remake of the1940's to 1960's women's pictures. Angela Arden (Busch) an ex pop diva from the fifties, has lost her ability to sing as she once did and her abusive husband Sol Sussman (Phillip Baker Hall) tries to tame this temptress after finding out about her affair with the notorious gigolo Tony Parker (Jason Priestley). After his death, due to a poisoned suppository; His daughter Edith (Natasha Lyonne), son Lance (Stark Sands), and loyal maid Bootsie Carp (Frances Conroy) all begin to suspect Angela. Everyone's presence on screen is a delight, from Charles Busch whom lights up the screen from the opening act to Frances Conroy's meddling as the maid. Jason Priestley proves once again that he has a presence on the screen and in Hollywood as he takes on the whole family to try and find out what is Angela's dirty little secret. As always Natasha Lyonne performs in top form as daddy's little girl and Stark Sands proves he has the talent to make it in this dirty town. I highly recommend and plea that anyone who might be interested in this to purchase it as you will not regret owning this great and truly hilarious film.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
How Awful About Angela, November 3, 2003
When I saw this as a play at the Coast theater in West Hollywood, I thought I would split my sides. Charles Busch could make walking across the room a laugh riot. I was a little leery of seeing the movie, fearing that in opening the play out with real locations, some of the fun would be gone.I had nothing to fear. This movie is hilarious, thanks in great part to Charles Busch's matchless portrayal of has-been "America's Nightengale" Angela Arden. Combining every Diva ever to grace the screen, and frosting her with his own devilish gleam, Busch is a hoot in this from beginning to end. An able supporting cast includes Phillip Baker Hall as the nasty husband who won't give Angela up, Stark Sands her belle-of-the-math-department son, Natasha Lyonne as her "heart belongs to daddy" daughter, Frances Conroy as the booze-swilling maid and, hilariously, Jason Priestly as the gigolo with a secret, who's willing to bed everybody in Beverly Hills to find out what he wants to know. I'm not going to give anymore away (although you have seen it all before); this movie is in limited release under the Sundance Film series. Not nearly as arch or arcane as some reviewers would have you believe, it's worth a trip out of your way to see it.
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