In the opening minutes a woman stumbles, apparently drunk, and tongue-teases the final droplets from a tilted bottle of cheap wine. She knocks over a lamp and falls down. Another woman appears, and reveals herself as a bratty daughter. She won't help her mother get off the floor. Later, we learn the very beautiful young blonde is Tina Ivlev (as Ashley Tralman) and her alcoholic single mother is Michelle Clunie (as Tina). As the credits roll, we switch to a campus setting in the Los Angeles area. High school seniors Brittany Underwood (as Jade Thompson) and Lexi Ainsworth (as Sara Cowan) are best friends forever (BFF). Into their Spanish language classroom struts Ms. Ivlev. She is attracted to Ms. Underwood and quickly maneuvers herself into the BFF twosome. Very quickly, the three have formed the "Death Clique" of the title and we wait to see who is going to die, if anyone...
This story, written by Barbara Kymlicka and directed by Doug Campbell is supposedly "Inspired by true events." Hopefully, anyone connected to the actual individuals who "inspired" this TV movie have received apologies. The crime does not ring true...
Of the main cast, Ms. Ainsworth does the best; helped by her smaller stature and youthful looks, she is able to appear convincing. Ivlev resembles a young Michelle Phillips with Faye Dunaway's attitude; she needs a star-making role. Underwood does her best with the part. Dependable mom Barbara Alyn Woods (as Lana) is routine but effective. Of the minor cast, Connors' Clayton and Weil are well-cast. The scene where Mr. Weil tries to undo Ainsworth's jeans is most memorable. Weil wiping her kiss off his mouth to end the scene was a nice touch. Director Campbell also helps the young women send subtle Lesbian signals; other than one bed scene, it's too shy for the millennium. And, there is no getting over the inadequacies herein. When police detectives walk into a classroom to make arrests, instead of having an administrator call suspects discreetly, you just have to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
*** Death Clique (4/12/2014) Doug Campbell ~ Tina Ivlev, Brittany Underwood, Lexi Ainsworth, Barbara Alyn Woods
