Superstar outshines SNL skit

Starring: Molly Shannon, Will Ferrell, Elaine Hendrix, Harland Williams, Mark McKinney, Glynis Johns, Tom Green

Director: Bruce McCulloch

Running Time: 82 minutes

Rating: yyy

Despite the lack of humor in the Saturday Night Live skit it is based on, Superstar turns out surprisingly well thanks to its director and the supporting cast.

Essentially, Superstar is based on a Saturday Night Live skit in which actress, Molly Shannon, plays an awkward Catholic schoolgirl by the name of Mary Katherine Gallagher. Though the skit tends to base its laughs on physical comedy and various little quirks, this was apparently all it needed in order to merit the production of a motion picture based on the character. However, as is to be expected, the movie opens up a whole world around Mary that is for the most part not seen in the skit.

Mary is an orphan living with her paraplegic grandmother in the small town of Besamee Heights, where she attends St. Monica's High School. There, as the school outcast (surprise, surprise), Mary harbors dreams of receiving her first kiss from a boy. Being quite unpopular and having little previous luck, Mary has determined that the only way to make her dream come true is to become a "superstar." Via this method, she reasons that by becoming a "superstar," not only will she be able to get a kiss, but she will be able to get one of those "big, Hollywood" screen kisses. In the hopes of achieving stardom, she embarks on a futile quest by attempting such things as cheerleading and gymnastics tryouts. Mary's chance for a big break finally arrives when a talent show aimed at fighting VD is announced at her school. From that point on, she focuses all her energy on winning the contest and beating out her rival, Evian (yes, like the bottled water), who coincidentally is also the head cheerleader.

Amongst this main plot, there are other several subplots interwoven with the main plot. For one, Mary is enamored with the school quarterback/heartthrob/dancing stud, Sky. Unfortunately though, Sky is currently the beau of her rival, Evian. She also must be concerned with a mysterious motorcycle guy who seems to be following her. Additionally, she must contend with the truth about her parent's death.

Okay, okay, this description probably does not make Superstar look like the most interesting movie in the world. In fact, for some reason my description at times makes it sound like a boring drama. All this said, do not, I repeat do not discount this movie. Often, the skit is not particularly funny, but in the movie a lot of what is in the skit does not necessarily seem all that prevalent. The movie has a definite plot that does not necessarily depend on her goofiness.

So far though, I have not given any really good reasons why this movie is any better than the skit, or any good at all for that matter. Well, perhaps the best reason is that Superstar is a lot like Seinfeld, in a way. In Seinfeld, it was not Jerry so much who was funny as it was George, Elaine, and Kramer and the rest of the supporting cast.

This situation is also true for Superstar as the supporting cast does wonders to make Mary Katherine Gallagher seem much funnier than she may actually be. Of course, as usual Will Ferrell does a great job playing ever cool and popular, Sky, with his offbeat and loud sense of humor. We also get to see his somewhat off-kilter dance style which he seems to regularly showcase on Saturday Night Live.

Mark McKinney, a fellow Kids in the Hall alum, of director Bruce McCulloch, plays Father Ritley. In this role, he adds his years of comedic experience to Superstar. Harland Ellison, who played a Rocketman as well as a serial killer hitchhiker in There's Something About Mary, brings what seems to be his greatest asset, his odd appearance to the movie. One can not help but laugh when looking at his face. Finally, there is the infamous Tom Green, who while only having a bit part, still manages to get the audience to laugh just by appearing on screen.

However, perhaps what is the biggest boost for the movie is its director, Bruce McCulloch. McCulloch spent five years on the show, Kids in the Hall, not only starring, but directing and writing. He obviously brings his brand of twisted humor as well as a sense of artistic directing to the big screen and really helps make the film a hilarious effort. While Superstar may not be the best comedy on the block, it is definitely a fun watch and most certainly beats It's Pat and Stuart Smalley Saves his Family. Just make sure not to go see it expecting the skit because if you think it will be funny, chances are it will be funny.

EXTRA

I recently had the great opportunity to participate in an interview with the "superstar" of Superstar; Molly Shannon herself. It was quite an interesting experience, and I learned some interesting facts not only about her, but also about others in the entertainment industry. Here are some parts of it *:

Do you ever get injured when playing the part of Mary Katherine Gallagher?

"I get bruised a lot. Usually I wake up hurting, but I don't feel it when I'm doing it. It's more of a day-after thing. Mostly muscle pain."

The role of Mary Katherine Gallagher is remnant of Chris Farley. What comedic influences do you draw from?

"Chris Farley actually was my main influence for developing the Mary Katherine Gallagher character. I saw him and wanted to show that a girl could do it. When I met him when he did the show, it was completely different. He was crazy and fearless. He was scary to watch."

Have you ever had an interesting encounter with someone you parody?

"Courtney Love, she was scary. She gets real in your face. She said that the imitation was 'fun but dated.' She's tough and she tests you by being in your face. But, Love is cool about it, at least according to Drew Barrymore, whom I'm friends with."

How much of the Mary Katherine Gallagher character is based on you?

"The character is a lot like me. She is a very shame-based character, but I was sweeter. She's full of Irish shame. I didn't have the armpit habit. My mother passed on when I was 4 and my father raised me. He wasn't big on bathing so I was a dirty child, especially my neck. My grandmother would complain about it."

Mary Katherine Gallagher uses a lot of awkward monologues. Did you watch movies as a child and memorize the lines?

"I wasn't really into reality as a child. I would always play games or play with Barbies. I could escape into fantasy through game play. Mary Katherine Gallagher does these monologues so she can escape. She has a lack of control, and doing these monologues are a way to gain control."

You can't help but notice Tom Green's presence in Superstar. What was it like working with him?

"Actually when we made Superstar, Tom was an unknown. I wanted to cast a friend in the role, but Bruce (McCulloch) knew Tom from his show in Toronto where it's really big, and cast him instead. He's extremely intense, and at one point popped one of my ribs."

* Since this interview was conducted as a twelve-person conference call, some filler words have been added but the facts remain consistent.