Superstar

1999 "Dare to dream."
5.2| 1h22m| PG-13| en
Details

Orphan Mary Katherine Gallagher, an ugly duckling at St. Monica High School, has a dream: to be kissed soulfully. She decides she can realize this dream if she becomes a superstar, so her prayers, her fantasies and her conversations with her only friend focus on achieving super-stardom.

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Reviews

ThiefHott Too much of everything
FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.
Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!
Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.
Geoffrey DeLeons After watching it my second time, I realized that this movie is not primarily a comedy: It is a social statement and source of inspiration for all those who have been dis-enfranchised, isolated and rejected. As we see in Superstar, some of these "outsiders", like Mary Katherine Gallagher (played by Molly Shannon) and Helen Lewengrub (played by Emmy Laybourne), have a heart of gold.Yes, some of the things Mary Katherine does and says are funny, but it is not the main show nor the main point: She wants to prove to herself and others that she is worthy of respect and love. She knows how good she is. When she realizes that she is seeking fame for other's approval, however, she rights her motivation, and continues on to a stellar performance at the talent show.This spiritual instruction by her grandmother, played by Glynis Johns, deserves special mention, because her character, although handicapped and in a wheelchair, proves that she still has much to offer Mary Katherine and the world. Pay attention to this movie and listen to what it is telling you about finding your own heart and soul and defending it at all times and at all costs: Dare to dream and to pursue those dreams. Also, make sure it is your dream and not someone else's.I would have done a couple things differently in Superstar, had I been directing: Sorry, Bruce: Any movie with spontaneous, choreographed dance scenes is all-the-worse for it. Why? It is impossible. It makes no sense. Where and when did the students in the cafeteria rehearse this number? It makes me want to puke more than Evian pukes.Also, Mary Katherine's act at the talent contest should not have been interrupted by "the record getting pushed to 45rpm". That was just stupid, and it consumed the time that could have been devoted to Mary Katherine doing some more funny and entertaining stuff on stage. Will Ferrel's "appearance" as Jesus Christ was particularly cool and funny. Slater took it pretty calmly when confronted by the King of Kings, on the road out of town! Very funny.I enjoyed the character of Slater, and think Harland Williams did a great job playing this complex-yet-simple character. Especially touching was the scene when Mary Katherine told him she (still) wanted a kiss from Sky (Will Ferrell), and Slater, though hurt, politely told her good night, and left.An especially candid statement was made by Mary Katherine, to Slater, at the pool: "Sometimes, I just hate the way I am". Molly Shannon does a great job of lighting up when Slater told her she is beautiful. This movie is not a comedy, and anyone who has ever been isolated, insulted or made to feel sub-par by a group will recognize this fact.If you are one of the drones who make others feel bad to make yourself feel good, you will despise this movie. Please think twice about the psychological effect you have on others.There are not many movies I can think of that I consider important. Superstar is an important movie because it speaks for the outsiders: Those who have had to do things by themselves with little or no help, despite over-whelming odds.Right now, you may wish that I was savagely ripped apart by a school of hammerhead sharks, but I figure.., if Steven Tyler thinks Mary Katherine's hands smell pretty good after being in her armpits.., then maybe we underestimated her. If someone in a wheelchair can organize a stage show like that.., then maybe there are superstars all around us.
Elswet This work brings back memories of school. Those were good days. Mary Catherine Gallagher is a misfit. In fact, I can't imagine anywhere she WILL fit in. In every school, there is a girl who marches to her own tune, outcast by all but others who, like herself, were cast out of the crowd for their idiosyncrasies.Molly Shannon is a Goddess, as she refuses to let others re-tune her inner song, finds her way, and reaches for her star.Some will not like this work. Some may find it difficult to watch as Mary Catherine falls and fails. Others will think the work to be stupid or unintelligent, and on the surface, that would seem to be a fair appraisal. If one cares to take the deeper look, however, this work will teach you to have faith in yourself, to look for the best in others, and to hold onto your dreams.It rates an 8.4/10 from...the Fiend :.
simonabobic i have never heard about Molly Shannon till i saw SUPERSTAR!it was great.even though the actors weren't as teen as their role asked for the movie was great.at first i thought that this would influence the movie and would make me not see the essential,what the movie really wanted to show,the theme,but finally i realised that if the roles had been interpreted by teenagers the movie wouldn't'have been so remarkable.i saw myself in every character:when i was little i used to dream about me being a superstar,sometimes i'm doing the same things Mary Katherine did("sometimes when i get nervous,i put my fingers under my arms,and then smell them like this...");was funny when she destroyed the banana & showed it to that guy who attracted by her.also ,something that teenagers use to do,which is not quite good & i'm ashamed i sometimes act like this, ,is "fighting" with their parents,and in Mary's case with her granny. i loved the movie and it became one of my favorite's!
reginamia Because we had seen all the other comedies at the DVD store, my son and I finally watched Superstar. It had been so panned by every review I had ever seen, I thought it would be a waste of time. Perhaps especially for those who have memories of Catholic schools, it is as delightful as it is silly. My twelve-year-old does not have these memories but he laughed hysterically none the less.I do recommend this film, but I do not recommend the critics who gave it only one star. Like psychologists, film critics must understand both the genres they review, and every type of audience that will view the film. This comedy may not be for everyone, but I cannot imagine anyone taking real offense at it either.

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