Pretty Dead Girl may be about a man who falls in love with corpses, but it's not exactly what one might think when first hearing the plot...well, at least it's not a creepy film(except for the fact he's in love with dead women). This musical(yes, I said musical) black comedy romance is definitely a must see; though I was, like many apparently, disappointed at it only being a 22 minute film. Upon watching the film it makes one question, Is Love Alive? With musical star Christian Campbell starring as Mortie, our twisted morgue attendant, and Christina Souza as Viola, the woman in love with him, see the movie and determine for yourself.
5 Reviews
Oh Romeo..Eew Romeo? Oh yea, Romeo!
rwashington612112 September 2008
I didn't know what hit me! Recently caught this on IFC and loved it. I was immediately drawn into this funny, quirky, juicy musical. Great writing, lyrics, characters, choreography and pace. Where is this filmmaker? Instantly cared about the characters and enjoyed the surprises. Wonderful spoof on med shows and masterfully presented in a cheeky, short narco-musical. Raw and sexy dance montage, terrific acting and loads of well timed moments. Impeccable overall quality. Would love to see this developed for Broadway. The musical numbers are hits and the subject matter deliciously delivers taboo, fantasy and romance. Palpitating for MORE baby!
I laughed, I died.
uliang8 November 2005
I saw this short at the Sundance film festival in 2004, and it was by far one of my favorite films of the whole festival. The production quality was great, the storyline was hilarious. I thought for sure it would make to VH1 movie programming and become a cult hit. I just don't know what happened. The actors sounded great and the lyrics just got funnier and funnier. Nearly two years later, I am still googling around to see where I can pick up a copy of the film. An ambitious and very well executed short by a first-time filmmaker. Pretty Dead Girl stood out among all of the great films at Sundance. Shawn Ku definitely has a great career ahead. And I hope I get the chance to see PDG again.
Eeewwwwwwwwwwww!!
planktonrules10 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This film is included on a DVD entitled "Shorts: Volume Three". Oddly, I have seen volume One already and Three is definitely much better--though both are worth finding for lovers of short films like myself.
Of all the films in the set, this one is the boldest because it takes a heck of a risk. After all, this is a musical all about love and necrophilia!! Talk about sick! However, if you are able to look past this and see it all as a tongue in cheek comedy, then you'll no doubt enjoy it immensely. Part of the reason for this is because the film is simply made so well--with great film work, singing and especially terrific lyrics. There are many, many full-length musicals out there that don't have a single song as well written as even one of the songs from PRETTY DEAD GIRL.
The film begins in a hospital. A young employee is in love with a guy who works in the morgue. However, when she spies on him, she sees him singing love songs and dancing with young female corpses! Instead of being repulsed or calling security, she is jealous. She goes to a Chinese herbalist to get a love potion (which they don't have) and instead buys a poison--after all, he's bound to love her dead! At the same time, he's visiting with a "shrink" (I love that he's neither a psychologist or psychiatrist--his office door just says "shrink"). Now, with the doctors help and a huge and sexy song and dance number with LIVING ladies, he's cured and wants the girl who's infatuated with him--and he wants her alive! Unfortunately, like the O. Henry story "The Gift of the Magi", both commit to their plans--not realizing the others' intention. There's much more to it than that, but I don't want to totally spoil this icky but cute film.
As I said, this film is exceptionally well made and even cute, romantic and funny! Seriously. However, due to the very, very creepy nature of the film, it is definitely not recommended for kids or those who are too creeped out by the icky subject matter to enjoy it. However, I predict that those who made this film will go on to much greater things--they are too talented not to. Slickly made and perfect...it's just too bad that it's so gross that many won't see it in the first place!
Of all the films in the set, this one is the boldest because it takes a heck of a risk. After all, this is a musical all about love and necrophilia!! Talk about sick! However, if you are able to look past this and see it all as a tongue in cheek comedy, then you'll no doubt enjoy it immensely. Part of the reason for this is because the film is simply made so well--with great film work, singing and especially terrific lyrics. There are many, many full-length musicals out there that don't have a single song as well written as even one of the songs from PRETTY DEAD GIRL.
The film begins in a hospital. A young employee is in love with a guy who works in the morgue. However, when she spies on him, she sees him singing love songs and dancing with young female corpses! Instead of being repulsed or calling security, she is jealous. She goes to a Chinese herbalist to get a love potion (which they don't have) and instead buys a poison--after all, he's bound to love her dead! At the same time, he's visiting with a "shrink" (I love that he's neither a psychologist or psychiatrist--his office door just says "shrink"). Now, with the doctors help and a huge and sexy song and dance number with LIVING ladies, he's cured and wants the girl who's infatuated with him--and he wants her alive! Unfortunately, like the O. Henry story "The Gift of the Magi", both commit to their plans--not realizing the others' intention. There's much more to it than that, but I don't want to totally spoil this icky but cute film.
As I said, this film is exceptionally well made and even cute, romantic and funny! Seriously. However, due to the very, very creepy nature of the film, it is definitely not recommended for kids or those who are too creeped out by the icky subject matter to enjoy it. However, I predict that those who made this film will go on to much greater things--they are too talented not to. Slickly made and perfect...it's just too bad that it's so gross that many won't see it in the first place!
An utterly charming black comedy
VinnieRattolle1 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Nurse Viola falls for mortician Mortie, but she quickly discovers that Mortie's only into dead chicks. After visiting an herbalist to obtain a love potion, Viola comes up with a radical way to win Mortie's affection... just as his shrink brings him to the realization that he likes her too.
What could have been a truly tasteless farce is made enjoyable by the fantastically catchy music, swift editing, passionate performances and incredible direction. Opening with a full-blown production number and sweeping camera-work, it's nearly incomprehensible that this is merely a low-budget short -- it has the look, feel and sound of a big-budget Hollywood production. There's background gags galore, and they make incredible use of every second of screen time. Christina Souza, Christian Campbell and Michael A. Shepperd give powerful performances; and it seems that everyone involved with the film was giving their all. The only flaw is the ending, which feels a little like a cop-out, but it still works. I'm looking forward to seeing more from director Shawn Ku.
It's really a shame that it wasn't a full-length feature, since there's really not much of a venue for 20-some minute shorts. A friend saw it on IFC and told me about it so I wrangled a copy online... and I'm so glad that I did. I never thought I'd love a short film as much as I love this one. It's also notable that the wonderful music is available for download on the official website.
What could have been a truly tasteless farce is made enjoyable by the fantastically catchy music, swift editing, passionate performances and incredible direction. Opening with a full-blown production number and sweeping camera-work, it's nearly incomprehensible that this is merely a low-budget short -- it has the look, feel and sound of a big-budget Hollywood production. There's background gags galore, and they make incredible use of every second of screen time. Christina Souza, Christian Campbell and Michael A. Shepperd give powerful performances; and it seems that everyone involved with the film was giving their all. The only flaw is the ending, which feels a little like a cop-out, but it still works. I'm looking forward to seeing more from director Shawn Ku.
It's really a shame that it wasn't a full-length feature, since there's really not much of a venue for 20-some minute shorts. A friend saw it on IFC and told me about it so I wrangled a copy online... and I'm so glad that I did. I never thought I'd love a short film as much as I love this one. It's also notable that the wonderful music is available for download on the official website.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
