Die Mommie Die! | Review

California delight served up as a Greek tragedy and one big joke.

First surprise among a Santa’s long list of gifts is that the woman behind the veil and the oft trademark silhouette is a man who reminds of the vicious Jackie Collin type. If the film catches you off guard it’s with a branded type of humor that uses the kitsch of conniving soap-opera characters with hidden agendas with a film production value of a low grade Far From Heaven and a L.A Confidential époque feel for the most devilishly funny film of the year.

With a Blue Velvet undercoat, director Mark Rucker’s Die Mommie Die! has as many plot twists as it has in sexual puns and the funniest death sequence where a little bit of arsenic poison goes in a place not known in most circles for murder. Based on Charles Busch’s stage play of the same name this features actor Charles Busch in the starlet singer past her prime Double Indemnity role as witnessed in the Arden sisters. Actor Jason Priestley finds himself in the same position as 90210 alumni Tori Spelling did with The House of Yes playing a bit, yet memorable role in a delicious indie project. Other noteworthy performances come from the Natasha Lyonne (Slums of Beverly Hills) playing the hymen-less Edith and Philip Baker Hall (Magnolia) plays the role of a husband with a bulls eye on his back. Mock backgrounds match the scorned and vengeful cast of characters in a context that sees them in the most ridiculous of situations and sees the actor over-perform with a television show from the 70’s cue.

From the pool-house and poolside activity to the shots of self-reflections in mirrors and corridors of foul play, the locations are a key addition to the climate of a bunch of pointed sword characters. For a first-timer, Rucker has got the mise-en-scene just right, understanding that everything in the frame plays an important role to the comical tone of the pic—when is the last time that lighting the face of a character played such an important part to the overall humor of a comedy?

This gem provides us with the best drag performance since Hedwig and the Angry Inch’s protagonist. Die Mommie Die! gained plenty of attention at this year’s Sundance, and will tickle the funny bone of those who have an awareness of film styles from before. A must see.

Rating 3.5 stars