Intern

I bought this movie because I am smitten by Paulina Porizkova who plays the shoe editor for "Skirt" magazine. She was the Estee Lauder model for about 7 years. Gwyneth Paltrow has a cameo role as well. I am also smitten by her. I have been reading fashion magazines for years and, for a while was a photographer, and know about models. In fact, I knew a model like Resin.

The movie has this very enjoyable musical production number just after the start. It is reminiscent of the old MGM musicals. Then we are introduced to the staff of "Skirt" by Jocelyn, the intern. She is played very well by Dominique Swain. All the staff of "Skirt" are played 'over the top' like some members of the rag trade. The movie is enhanced by the gays.

Peggy Lipton who plays the editor in chief was a pleasant surprise to me. I last saw her as Julie, the gorgeous blond dolly cop in "The Mod Squad" TV series. Now she has black hair and is a very attractive sophisticated lady. Joan Rivers is, as usual excellent in her role.There are the cameos of the fashion famous especially Andre Leon Talley (actually Editor at Large of Vogue). The thing that really adds to this movie is the story about the spy. I did not suspect who the spy turned out to be. The movie is well scripted - a plus these days when there are movies being made with excellent special effects but bad scripts. The editing is tight which makes the film move fast with no dead spots.

A credit to Michael Lange for his first feature movie. He has being doing a lot of TV including the "X-Files" and should get a lot more feature work.

Seems cheaply produced, tinny sound. Lame production number early in the movie and the movie does not get better. Surprisingly bad with such an interesting cast. Don't waste your time. I was not able to watch the whole movie. It was that bad.

Swain, who makes a coherent centerpiece for this cinematic travesty, is about the only good thing in the film. From over acting just plain bad acting to one-dimensional characters to bad cinematography to lousy music to awful direction, etc. this flick about the supercilious high fashion biz is a huge loser. Even the title misses the mark.

All the ingredients for a fabulous movie are here: some interesting actors, some snappy dialogue, some stunning "fashion cameos," and some jokes at which only an insider could wince. Unfortunately, this movie is a fallen souffle. Is it a romantic comedy? Is it a series of over-the-top satiric vignettes? Is it a whodunit? Is it sincere? Is it blatantly corny? Yes, yes, yes. It never takes a consistent tone.

A poorly made film made worse by the fact that so many of its jokes are so inside they will go over people's heads. Yes, I get the fashion jokes. It's not that I don't understand the setting. Instead, much of the humor feels like when someone just has to tell you about the funny thing that happened to them at work, the funny thing that is terribly unfunny once removed from the workplace.

I think Dominique Swain is generally better than the movies she gets stuck with, but even she is subpar in this film.

If you're fascinated by the fashion industry, it's worth checking out. Otherwise, stay away.

Oh, and it has Joan Rivers in it, too. Consider yourself warned.