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Little Black Book DVD Review: LITTLE
BLACK BOOK Director: Nick Hurran Running Time: 97 mins Certificate:
12A
After landing a job as an associate producer on the Kippie Kann (Bates) daytime talk show, Stacy (Murphy) comes up with an idea for a show. She would ask women to look at their boyfriends little black and see if he was still in touch with any of his old girlfriends. Her friend Barb (Hunter) thinks it is a great idea and suggests that Stacy tries it out herself with a boyfriend Derek’s palm pilot. The problem is that she doesn’t like what she finds as it looks like Derek is still seeing three of his ex-girlfriends.
Brittany Murphy takes you into the world of reality television but is this movie gold or just film trash?
The world of extreme reality daytime talk shows, in the mould of the Jerry Springer Show, acting as the backdrop to a romantic comedy drama is an fun and intriguing idea and after a shaky start, the premise works quite well in ‘Little Black Book’. Mixing madcap comedy, the extremes of daytime talk shows and an underlying message of pursuing your dream, the resulting concoction works very well and creates a sense of fun and character that is more than the premise deserves.
Most of this success comes down to the performances of Brittany Murphy and Holly Hunter. Brittany Murphy is an up and coming actress who is starting to make waves in Hollywood. After a string of supporting roles, she has become a leading lady. Specialising in playing slightly kooky characters, Murphy’s slightly unconventional good looks and refreshing attitude is a breath of fresh air from your usual young starlets. This makes her all the more watchable and the characters she creates all the more entertaining. Whenever Holly Hunter appears in a movie you can’t help but take notice. While the character of Barb isn’t really a challenge to her talent but she still grabs your attention every time she graces the screen.
The supporting cast also does a good job. Stephen Tobolowsky is as watchable as ever as Talk Show producer Carl. Julianne Nicholson, Rashida Jones and Josie Maran are good as Derek’s ex girlfriends Joyce, Rachel and Lulu. Kevin Sussman is funny as put upon talk show runner Ira and Ron Livingston is your average guy as the investigated Derek. Only Kathy Bates’ Kippie Kann suffers from a lack screen time and development.
‘Little Black Book’ is a good romantic comedy drama that takes you in one direction and completely changes on you for the finale. It is this twist and the performance of the cast that raise it above your average, run of the mill rom-com. With much to laugh at and talk about for both of the sexes, this is a great date movie and one that will have you talking for a while afterwards
Star Rating = * * *
PICTURE & SOUND
Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is very good. The picture quality is sharp throughout, bringing the reality TV world to life. The sound quality is also good with a strong emphasis on dialogue and Carly Simon filling all the speakers.
BONUS FEATURES
Live & On Air: The Making of Little Black Book (12.38 mins) Director Nick Hurran, producers Jason Shuman, William Sherak, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Deborah Schindler, screenwriter Elisa Bell and stars Brittany Murphy, Holly Hunter, Ron Livingston, Stephen Tobolowsky, Josie Maran, Julianne Nicholson and Rashida Jones talk about bringing ‘Little Black Book’ to the silver screen. The cast and crew talk about the story, characters and the Kippie Kann show format. They also reveal what it is like working with Brittany Murphy and director Nick Hurran.
Be my Guest: Inside Daytime Talk Shows (11.15 mins) John Downey III (Former Talk Show Associated Producer), Richard Dominick (Executive Producer ‘The Jerry Springer Show’), Mary Pelloni (Former Talk Show Producer), Greg Kazura (Director ‘The Jerry Springer Show’), Rachelle Consiglio (Senior Producer ‘The Jerry Springer Show’) and Todd Schultz (Unit Manager ‘The Jerry Springer Show’) talk about how authentic the ‘Kippie Kann’ show is, in ‘Little Black Book’. They reveal what the life an associate producer on a talk show is really like and what they have to do for the job.
Trailers The trailer for ‘Little Black Book’ and previews of ‘Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius’, ‘Mona Lisa Smile’ and ‘Maid in Manhattan.
OVERALL
While the movie is good, the DVD presentation is very average. The making of… featurette is very run of the mill but the incite into the inner workings of Daytime Talk Shows is quite interesting. The lack of a commentary track or deleted scenes, bring this good point down however making the DVD slightly disappointing for fans of the film.
DVD Star
Rating = * *
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