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List Price: $9.98 | | Label: 20th Century Fox
Salesrank: 28147
Released: January 19, 1999 |
| Our Price: $4.54 |
| Used Price: $2.74 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Pack your bags, but leave your inhibitions behind, as you move up to this star studded comedy of outrageous proportions that's "riskier and funnier than the rest" (Los Angeles magazine). On the road to womanhood in the '70's, Vivian (Natasha Lyonne) is e
Description of Slums of Beverly Hills:
One of the freshest, most enjoyable independent films of 1998, Slums of Beverly Hills finds both comedy and compassion in the post-puberty woes of a soon-to-be high school freshman named Vivian Abramowitz (Natasha Lyonne), who has been either blessed or cursed (depending on who you ask) by breasts that have generously blossomed along with her sexual curiosity. It's not an easy time, especially since Vivian and her two brothers live a nomadic, close-knit existence with their unemployed father (Alan Arkin), who keeps moving them from one ratty apartment to another on the fringes of Beverly Hills. Joining them in their latest one-bedroom home is their flaky cousin Rita (Marisa Tomei), whose latest stint in rehab has been replaced by the half-baked goal of a nursing career.
Writer-director Tamara Jenkins clearly loves these characters, and her film has the feel of good-natured autobiography, set in 1976 (without indulging phony nostalgia) and using rich, character-related comedy to express the understanding that all families are dysfunctional in their own functional way. Whether Vivian is allowing a new neighbor (indie-film regular Kevin Corrigan) to touch her breasts or taking cousin Rita's favorite vibrator for a euphoric test-drive, Jenkins and the wonderfully sardonic Lyonne maintain a fine balance of hilarity and sexual awkwardness while giving equal time to Vivian's taunting siblings and well-meaning father. Consisting of loosely connected episodes that add up to a vivid family portrait, this remarkably well-cast film will be a treat for anyone who remembers (or is still going through) the emotional minefield of adolescence. --Jeff Shannon
Slums of Beverly Hills Reviews:
Slums of Beverly Hills 
2009-08-05 - This movie is just good entertainment. If you like Alan Arkin, he doesn't dissappoint either. You will have a fun time watching this movie about a disfunctional family & there issues.
DVD 
2009-04-30 - I was very happy with the product & fast shipping. The packaging needs to be improved, plastic bag type isn't enough protection. My DVD arrived with a hole into the DVD holder & the DVD was off it's post & sliding around. It doesn't appear to be damaged, but easily could have been.
Amusing but not much else 
2009-02-12 - Vivian (Natasha Lyonne) has two growing problems: her new found breasts and the unwanted attention that brings from boys and her crazy father Mel (Alan Arkin) continually moving Vivian and her two brothers from cheap motel to cheap motel in the middle of the night. To make matters worse her pill popping aunt Rita (Marisa Tomei) has just escaped from her latest stint at rehab and Mel is letting her live with the family so that he can continue to receive handouts from his rich brother, Rita's father. Rita introduces Vivian to the joys of sex by giving her her first vibrator and offering advice on the best bra to accentuate her growing breasts. Vivian's bust immediately catches the attention of her new neighbor (Kevin Corrigan) who is obsessed with Charles Manson but who makes room for Vivian as his new obsession. The film has some funny moments but the set up for the jokes takes way too long and often the payoff is not worth it. The best moments come from Corrigan and David Krumholtz who plays Vivian's pot head brother. He is auditioning for a role in the stage production of Guys and Dolls. He is hoping to land the role of Sky Masterson which Marlon Brando played in the film version. The funniest scene in the film involves him singing Luck Be A Lady after taking a massive bong hit since he believes that the marijuana will relax his vocal chords. Jessica Walter from Arrested Development is also good in her couple of scenes as the new woman in Mel's life whom he is trying to convince that his family is normal. Lyonne makes for a good heroine in Vivian and this is one of the actress's few starring roles but the film isn't as good as she is. Tomei does a fun job of playing the drugged out crazy aunt who is pregnant by a man that she met in rehab. Tomei and Lyonne have a good rapport between the two of them and their scenes are enjoyable whenever they are not speaking in their made up language. The performances are all better than the film itself and there are some funny moments but overall it's kinda pointless and dumb.
Wonderfully entertaining
2008-08-27 - This is a wonderful movie, thoroughly enjoyable. Beautifully drawn characters, really interesting people. The writing and direction by Tamara Jenkins are glorious. The actors are so good in their roles. It's one of those movies where you keep thinking "I hope I can remember that line to use myself". Funny and also moving and heart-warming. This will be a favourite of mine to be watched many times.
Not for all tastes, but...
2008-08-19 - If you have a fetish for the 1970s, can relate to a transient lifestyle and grew up in the acquaintance of that peculiar breed of earthy, middle-class Jews, you'll love this movie as much as I did. If not, your results may vary. I intended to see this when it was released to theaters a decade ago, but never got around to it. At my girlfriend's suggestion, I finally took the time to watch it and realized how dumb I was to have waited so long.
Two of this movie's highlights include great performances from a terrific cast and spot-on costume design that ably exhibits the tacky glory of the middle '70s. My only gripe pertains to Lyonne's monotone narration, which is unsuitably dull.
Recommended on a double bill with "Welcome to the Dollhouse" or "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
