Pretty Poison (1996 TV Movie) User Reviews

Worst acting

[tara_153 · 1/10 · 12 July 2005]

The movie in itself sounds like it would be quite interesting and joyful to watch. The first time it was made, I'm sure it was, but however, this had the worst acting that I had the unfortunate experience to witness. The actress that played Sue - Ann should have signed herself up for a few acting classes before she got the role. The acting was so irritating that the Home Shopping Network started to look good. Watch the first one it has to be much better. Do not waste your time with this remake. Change the channel if you see it on or restring your shoelaces, trust me, it would be more exciting and it would save you from having to listen to Sue - Ann's annoying acting.

Skip this and see the original

[ricpantale · 3/10 · 4 January 2010]

Although the film follows the original (1962 version) almost word for word..It fails miserably because let's face it, Anthony Perkins and Tuesday Weld are a hard act to follow. If you want to see a very funny, take-off of this movie, try and see Delilah Rose, (2010) produced by Rubber Dagger Films. Although different, Delilah Rose has an Elvis look alike on the trail of supposed terrorists and when he meets up with Delilah Rose she turns out nastier than he could ever imagine.. The 1996 movie lacks a wit and a charm that is so important in this kind of subject matter. The film should have had a more compelling actress who could act.. Skip this and dig up the original....Or see Delilah rose

Beyond horrible

[polysicsarebest · 1/10 · 16 July 2005]

I saw this film on Lifetime the other day. It was another typical Lifetime film: poorly-acted, sadly-directed, and centering around a woman (in this case, not in a very flattering way). This movie tells the story of a guy named Dennis who, for no apparent reason, makes up stories about his life and such... apparently cuz he's CRAZZZZZZZZY. He was just recently released out of a mental institution for some unknown reason (which is explained later) and he thinks that secret agents are after him and stuff (which is never explained later -- what?!). He's obviously retarded, but he falls in love with some ugly girl, and then she "lures him into a web of deceit" or something.

Really... It's all never explained. It's pointless and laughably so. Almost child-like in its presentation, and you get the feeling that halfway through, the script was completely changed. No character is ever developed enough, and it's way too soulless and pointless. What was even the point? Stupid. The most compelling parts of the film are, frustratingly, never explained. Just a bad movie.

Excellent Performance by Grant Show Makes This Film Seem Better

[HarlowMGM · 7/10 · 20 December 2006]

Grant Show gives an excellent performance in this Fox Network TV movie PRETTY POISON from 1996. Show stars as Dennis Pitt, a mysterious man recently released from an institution who falls in love with Sue Ann, a blonde still in high school. Dennis claims to be working for the government undercover while Sue Ann, while putting up the front as the All American cheerleader, is quite a pathological liar herself, with more emphasis on pathological.

Grant Show's performance is superb, you are convinced one minute he is a dangerous villain, the next minute you are certain he is a traumatized victim. There are not many TV actors who could pull off this complex a role, let alone actors of the heart-throb variety but Show completely emerges himself in the character and with the help of inexpensive clothes and a $7 haircut, he is totally believable as the hapless soul. The role of Sue Ann is a difficult one for a young actress and alas, Wendy Benson doesn't hold up her end of the film but she's OK and not as over the top as many young actresses would have played it. Her choice (or the director's) of speaking in a smooth, singy monotone like a commercial spokeswoman may have been meant to be creepy and it is, but I'm not sure it was a good choice.

Lynne Thigpen has the only other notable role as Dennis' counselor while Michelle Phillips has basically a cameo as Sue Ann's mother.

Parts of the story are a little incredible (a phone booth in the middle of nowhere, the remarkably secluded areas) but it is a good thriller with a great performance by Show.

AWFUL!

[Juliet Gabriella Kaleigh · 1/10 · 6 January 2002]

This film, if you want to be bold and call it that, is a piece of crap, and I say crap, because I don't want to use other words. I've seen the original 1960's version, and that one stank as well.

There is NO plot. The way they had Sue Ann acting was just STUPID! She came off as a Dumb, No-Talent Bimbo.

hottie cheerleader meets a man from mental asylum

[kairingler · 7/10 · 15 November 2009]

seeing this one Lifetime Movie Network last night i had a blast with it,, i loved the cliques about the dumb blond cheerleader in this one,, although as the movie starts to gather steam you see that the little cheerleader girl ain't so dumb... what strikes you as odd is the whole why did the guy go after her,, my guess is he bought into all of the blonde dumb cheerleader jokes. he is kinda pathetic,, but then sometimes you find yourself end up rooting for him,, i really liked the character of the man's parole officer,, she was bound and determined to get to the bottom of things in this movie,, he tells the cheerleader a bunch of lies that he works for the government and that he is a spy of something like that,, and she believes it for awhile,, or does she,, is she setting him up,, or is she really that freakin stupid,,,, watch and find out.

Good Movie, Great Acting

[nyc93 · 8/10 · 18 June 2008]

When I decided to watch this movie I thought it would be a waste of my time but its wasn't. It isn't Oscar material but it was very enjoyable. I got really into the movie and into the characters. The actress who plays SueAnne was the perfect evil "innocent" girl and the story line had me interested the entire time. You also felt like you understood Dennis and his view on the evens that occurred. It had enough plot twist to keep you guessing put not too many that you got confused. The ending was also satisfying but not really what you expected. Over all, I would say this was is great and you should watch it when you get the chance, and would recommend it to my friends as well.

Great! Reminiscent of the Original "Twilight Zone" series

[evanpelt · 10/10 · 6 January 2002]

I have never seen the original film so I went into this with no pre-conceived notions. The movie started out slowly and I was tempted to switch channels, but there was nothing else on. I'm glad I stuck with it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Once things got going I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. The style and subject matter reminded me of the original "Twilight Zone" series (the mind bender episodes, not the Sci-fi ones). It's dark and intriguing.

The story starts with Dennis Pitt being released from an institution. Why he was there is a mystery at first. Dennis wants to run his own life now that he is out. He does, for a while. The beginning and ending narration talks about a river. There is a river that plays an important part in the story, but more important is the emotional river. Once caught in those currents it is hard to see how anyone will get out.

Cool movie, technically well done and the actors are very beautiful...:)

[Ickytron · 10/10 · 14 April 1999]

I saw Pretty Poison on cable... the first thing that made me glued was Grant Show... he gives out good performance at Melrose Place and it was interesting to see him act in a different setting...:) then the girl....:) she was very telegenic... a feast for the eyes...:) technically, the tv movie was flawless...:) the cast did beautifully and the director did wonders to a flawed/weak storyline....:)

Strangely Bizarre (may contain spoiler)

[willowsly · 31 May 2004]

there's not much to say about this movie other then unless your a fan of the ditzy blond playing on her own "stupidity" and getting away with it then this movie is for you. I myself am partial to the occasional phsyco movie but the combination of way to short skirts and a not exactly hot guy make it sorta crap. although the general plot is great they need to re think the wardrobe and casting aspects Sue Ann's character needs a little more depth and an actress who can't screw up the role and Dennis needs to be just a little less pathetic.

all up I'd give it a 4 out of 10

A young woman dabbles with the chemistry of love then finds herself yearning to seduce tubular vials

[JohnnyKnuckles812 · 10/10 · 16 June 2003]

This film is absolutely amazing! I have never seen a finer acting job than I did with what's her name. I mean, there's this scene where she's crying and all of a sudden she stops. It was like... wow! The car chase scene, through the high school, the forest and then through the mall, all in one shot, is pretty spectacular. How do you do that all in one shot? I'm sure they watch that scene in film schools. The end of the movie is also pretty powerful. somehow the director manages to bring out the intensity of the girl's missing gerbil & the father has this evil grin like he knows what's up but it turns out he just has a crooked smile and his brother (Uncle Randy) is the one who did it. Again, wow! Anyway, you have to see it, it's one of those movies that makes you think, what if? And then after you start thinking "what if?" a plethora of other questions start to arise, like Why? and How?

Well Done!!!

[jillie1962 · 9/10 · 18 June 2010]

There should be an awards show for made-for-TV movies. Low paid directors taking a low budget, B-grade actors, and a throwaway script and creating not a work of art but a movie of no value except the two hours of guilty pleasure it bestows upon its viewers. Grant Show is, as always, handsome enough to carry the movie on looks alone. An added treat is that his portrayal of psycho-idiot Dennis Pitt is quite well acted. And the girl playing Sue Ann (I'm kind of at a loss to find something good to say about her performance) is pretty. Her acting does leave one hungry for a decent performance in a female role and, fortunately, Michelle Phillips in a cameo role as Sue Ann's mother and Lynne Thigpen as Dennis's parole officer fulfill this need. All in all, not a bad movie.