SLAP HER, SHE'S FRENCH
Year: 2002
UK: Winchester Films Distribution
Cast: Piper Perabo, Jane McGregor, Trent Ford, Michael McKean, Julie White, Brandon Smith, Jesse James, Nicki Aycox, Alexandra Adi, Matt Czuchry, Cristen Coppen, Alexis Acosta, Lisa Carnahan, Ash Christian, Tony Glenn, Michael S Koenig, India Neilan, Mary Portser, Johnny Sneed
Director: Melanie Mayron
Countries: Germany / UK / USA
UK: 93 mins
UK Certificate: 12A contains strong language once and moderate sexual references
UK Release Date: 18 October 2002
Synopsis
Starla Grady (Jane McGregor) has everything a teenage girl in small town Texas could ask for (if you leave aside her obnoxious little brother, Randolph). The homecoming queen and head cheerleader of Splendona High School (inevitably dating the quarterback) plans her career in minute detail. Nothing can come between Starla and her dream of becoming the most popular anchorwoman of a TV news show. Nothing and no one that is, until a French exchange student threatens to upset the balance. Genevieve LePlouff (Piper Perabo) wins over the hearts of the Grady family with her sad tales of misfortune in Paris. The girl soon proves to be - in contrast to her shy, innocent and slightly space-cadettish appearance - a sly and calculating ruthless adversary who stops short of nothing.
While the unsuspecting Starla tries to help 'Mademoiselle Harmless' integrate with her family and friends, the treacherous rival first lays claim to Starla's boyfriend, then to her throne and finally even to her parents' love. Although she has smelled a rat, Starla, our blue-eyed all-American girl is deceived by the saintly appearance of her guest until Starla ends up behind bars, double-crossed a la Genevieve. In the clink, gripped with self-doubt and intimidated by her inmate's mere glance, Starla slowly begins to recognise the true values of her life. Aided by her brother and her newfound friend Ed (Trent Ford), she determines to protect and defend these values. Revenge, after all, is sweet and the lesson Genevieve is about to learn is going to be very bitter...