'crazy' follows plot line with intelligence, respect

Posted: Saturday, November 24, 2001

It takes a long time to warm up to Nicole, Kirsten Dunst's character in "crazy/beautiful."

Director John Stockwell at first seems intent on making yet another cliche-ridden teen angst film, complete with the requisite out-of-control girl and the sweet guy who gets sucked into her world.

And while "crazy/beautiful" follows that plot line, it does so with more intelligence and respect than any teen film in recent memory.

If Stockwell can be believed on the commentary track of the film's DVD release, he had a lot to do with that.

For one thing, he nixed the studio's idea of having the romantic lead, Carlos, die at the end of the film for no reason.

Also, he turned the genre on its head by having Nicole's father - a politically correct, do-good member of Congress - forbid Carlos from seeing Nicole not because Carlos is a bad influence on her, but because she's a bad influence on him.

It's a startling moment in the film - the real turning point at which you realize how much he loves his daughter but is also bursting with misery over how to deal with her.

And speaking of "real," that's something Stockwell is, well, real big on.

Much of the DVD is devoted to the time he spent looking for kids to populate his film.

A 15-minute making-of documentary shows the kids auditioning and features interviews with them and their drama teacher (who also appears in the film).

And remember that kid lying in the tree? Stockwell had him yanked out of class to appear in the movie because he liked his face.

Stockwell also lets real pedestrians into his shots, rarely blocks traffic, doesn't like to rehearse and thinks continuity is for wimps.

Unfortunately, the commentary track also includes Dunst, which as so often happens prompts much obsequiousness from Stockwell.

Someone should make a rule that directors and their stars cannot make DVD commentary tracks together. Although, to Dunst's credit, she does get on Stockwell's case over some lines she had to say in a re-shoot, leaving the director struggling to find something nice to say in return.

The film also includes five deleted scenes, which can be played with or without commentary.

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