Chris Enright Movies
- 2004
Based on a true story (and all the more terrifying because of it!), this made for cable movie begins as Michelle Brown (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) fills out an ordinary rental form. Looking on enviously is penniless Connie Volkos (Annabella Sciorra), who can't understand why there are "haves" and "have-nots" in the world (but who has never put in the necessary work to become a "have"). When Michelle briefly lays down her credit card, it is stolen by Connie--who subsequently steals Michelle's identity as well, toting up $50,000 in purchases in Michelle's name. When Michelle tries to have Connie arrested, she finds herself at the mercy of the blind-deaf-dumb American credit system and is herself accused of theft! Desperate to win back her reputation (not to mention her own name!), Michelle pleads her cast before the US Senate in July of 2000, resulting--belatedly in her case--in the passage of bill HR 1731, with imposes stronger penalties for stealing one's identity and puts in tighter safeguards against people being victimized by such thieves. Even so, the film underlines the sobering fact that what happened to Michelle happens to someone else at a rate of once every six minutes! Identity Theft: The Michelle Brown Story debuted November 1, 2004 on the Lifetime channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Annabella Sciorra, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, (more)
- 2001
Presented in three half-hour "acts" by the MTV cable network on January 10, 2001, the fact-based Anatomy of a Hate Crime was the opening volley of MTV's year-long campaign "Fight For Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Discrimination." In recalling the horrendous torture-murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard near Laramie, WY in 1998, the film focuses as much on the twisted logic and motivations of Matthew's killers Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney as it does on the victim and the crime. Cy Carter stars as the unfortunate Shepard, with Ian Somerhelder and Brendan Fletcher, respectively, cast as Henderson and McKinney. Filmed in Alberta, Anatomy of a Hate Crime was originally bookended by a marathon recital of recent examples of sexual and racial persecution, delivered by an impressive list of unseen celebrities. Curiously, the Shepard Foundation, formed after Matthew's murder, would not endorse the MTV film, preferring instead to put their clout behind the 2002 NBC TV movie The Matthew Shepard Story. (See also separate website entry for The Laramie Project.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cy Carter, Ian Somerhalder, (more)
- 1997
Independent feminist filmmaker Sarah Jacobson directed this blunt comedy about a teenager learning to deal with her emotional and sexual needs. Mary Jane (Lisa Gerstein) is a 17-year-old girl from the Midwest who works at a movie theater specializing in foreign and independent films. Her co-workers are the cream of the city's bohemian crowd, and cute but awkward Mary Jane wishes that there was some way she could fit in. Regarding her virginity as a serious roadblock on the path to greater coolness, Mary Jane allows herself to be seduced by a local lout named Steve, who leaves her very much unsatisfied and hits the road immediately after their brief tryst in a cemetery. Frustrated and unhappy, Mary Jane begins commiserating with her co-workers, several of whom have friendly advice for her. Punk rocker Ericka (Beth Ramona Allen) coaches Mary Jane on sexual technique and the joys of masturbation, gay manager Dave (Greg Cruikshank) offers lots of sympathy and advice on men, and new guy Tom (Chris Enright) displays an encouraging interest in her. Beth Ramona Allen is also a member of the punk rock band The Loudmouths, who appear on the soundtrack, along with Babes in Toyland, Mudhoney, Steel Pole Bathtub, Red Aunts, AFI, and The Cosmic Psychos. Former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra makes a cameo appearance. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lisa Gerstein, Greg Cruikshank, (more)
