Reviewed by Melissa Garza
In every single woman, a teenage girl remains. It’s the part that can’t help but cheer when Patrick Swayze utters the phrase, “nobody puts baby in the corner,” in Dirty Dancing, or is devastated when Andie doesn’t choose Duckie in Pretty in Pink. It’s the glimmer in my mother’s eye when Gene Pitney’s voice comes on the radio or the smile that appears on my sister’s face anytime she puts a Great White CD on. It’s that same instinct that made me want to enjoy Twilight and convinced me to rent The Roommate.
The Roommate opens with college freshman Sara (Minka Kelly) going to a party and meeting the drummer Stephen (Cam Gigandet). They quickly start a romance. The next morning, she’s hung-over and meets her roommate Rebecca (Leighton Meester) who quickly helps by providing headache medicine.
The two quickly form a friendship though Rebecca seems to be somewhat of a recluse when it comes to normal college activities. When Sara and her friend go to a club, Rebecca remains home. The next day, Rebecca shows Sara the town and brings her to an art exhibit where a picture of a bloody nurse hangs on the wall. Sara seems a bit taken aback but masks her discontent professing her admiration for it.
Later, Sara sneaks a small kitten into the room and Rebecca swears to keep her secret. While they discuss naming the cat, Sara notices Rebecca wearing a necklace that belongs to her. Rebecca quickly apologizes and all is quickly forgotten.
Soon, things get more bizarre. When Sara forgives her friend Tracy (Aly Michalka) for ditching her at a club, Rebecca begins stalking her. She waits outside of her room and stares at her. Tracy tells Sara about the strange event, but Rebecca doesn’t put too much thought into it.
The psychotic girl continues to mess with Tracy and jumps her in the shower. She tells Tracy if she breathes a word to anyone, she’ll be dead. When Sara’s fashion professor hits on her, Rebecca seeks revenge on her behalf. Rebecca descends more and more into madness as the obsession spirals out of control.
The premise has been done plenty of times before. Single White Female, The Hand that Rocks the Cradle and Fatal Attraction all share similarities with The Roommate. Though it doesn’t add much to the genre, it’s definitely watchable.
Sara is a truly likeable main character. Kelly is great in the lead. I would love to see her venture into more horror productions.
Meester also does well though Rebecca isn’t quite scary enough. Her obsessive nature is definitely visible, but there isn’t enough breakdowns prior to the ending of the movie to show the level of her psychosis. It almost plays similar to a made-for-tv movie called ‘Friends till the End’ starring Shannon Doherty that was made in the late 90s. That said, there are a few moments that really stand out and make the film worth viewing.
The conclusion though expected is well-done. The acting really made this movie. Though the women are very pretty they are also talented actresses – something which nowadays isn’t seen as much.
Overall, though it is nothing one hasn’t already seen, the teenage girl in me found what I couldn’t find in Twilight – a fun and entertaining flick with young beautiful people.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7/10
