Rache ist Sexy (John Tucker Must Die)
U.S.A. 2006

Opening 18 Jan 2007

Directed by: Betty Thomas
Writing credits: Jeff Lowell
Principal actors: Jesse Metcalfe, Brittany Snow, Ashanti , Sophia Bush, Arielle Kebbel

This American high school comedy says that one should be true to one’s beliefs and look beyond the superficial and sincere friendships will blossom, maybe. John Tucker (Jesse Metcalfe) is the high school, basketball-star darling. He can have any girl and he does – mainly at dinner in a restaurant where Kate (Brittany Snow) works as waitress. Three of his girlfriends are Carrie (school paper reporter), Heather (cheerleader) and Beth (environmentalist). Once they discover John’s philosophy about monogamy (namely none), they swear to turn the tables and break his cheating little heart. They groom Kate to become the femme fatale to do the job. She is grateful for the attention, having just moved to the school and being thus far friendless. John falls in love, Kate chooses John’s nerdy brother Scott and Kate and her mother reach an understanding. Director Betty Thomas shows one cliché after another: skinny high school students and one token fat boy, who is the team’s mascot; popular cheerleaders; a moment of truth on a public stage during a school party. Best is the beautiful Vancouver skyline and bay where the film was made over one summer in a new, local high school. The film crew redecorated the school and left all kinds of props behind for the drama department, much to the delight of the students – who may see one or two of their friends in the film. Young viewers of MTV, Desperate Housewives, American Dreams, or other TV series might recognize the cast, especially Metcalfe, singer Ashanti, or Snow who is a knock off of Reese Witherspoon. (Becky Tan)