A Frank Review of "Pumpkin" (2002)

The Short Version? Sorority Sister falls for Special Olympian.
What Is It? Dark/Romantic Comedy
Who's In It? Christina Ricci, Dominique Swain, Melissa McCarthy
Should I See It? No.

This movie would like to be a dark, edgy satire. It is instead soft and dull. Its characters are thin, its performances are broad, and it plods at every turn. It tries to recall John Waters and films like "...But I'm a Cheerleader." It instead plays like a limp teen comedy. There are moments here and there that might give one pause... cause a bit of minor unease... but they never go on long or travel far enough to be of real concern. If you enjoy playing couch quarterback, thinking of directions not taken that would have made for a better film, this would be excellent inducement for discussion of the many ways it could have been improved. Sookie from "The Gilmore Girls" plays "Sookie: The College Years." Dominique Swain's role is so minor and drab, you'd be forgiven for missing her presence entirely. Christina Ricci is pretty and rarely wears a bra. That there is the only cause for recommendation I'm prepared to offer.