THE FILM
Tina Fey’s ridiculously quotable comedy sees Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) adapt to life in an American high school after being homeschooled in Africa. There she meets outsider Janis (Lizzy Caplan), who enlists her in a scheme to bring down bitchy Regina (Rachel McAdams). It is, effectively, Heathers meets She’s All That.
THE FLAW
Much of the plot towards the end focusses on a book, and the headmaster wondering who wrote the book, and the test as to whether the perpetrator will own up to writing it. In their own handwriting. It’s a school, ffs! Every assignment they’ve handed in gives examples of their handwriting (no, this isn’t a fancy modern school where everyone has laptops).
HOW IT WOULD HAVE ENDED
“Do you know who wrote this?”
“No.”
“Well, I’ll just check the writing on this against the writing in your homework and we’ll know immediately who it was. Oh snap! You’re all in detention for a month.”
THE VERDICT
That little plot-hole aside (and we’ll forgive its slightly saccharine ending), it’s a fine film in every way. The performances are wonderful, the casting is spot-on and every line of dialogue in the entire film is a jewel. It’s one of the finest comedies – let alone teen comedies – that I’ve seen.
.
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Reinspired 