Mirror Mirror (1990)

User Rating:

4.9/10   

Director:

Marina Sargenti

Writers:

Annette Cascone (screenplay) &
Gina Cascone (screenplay) ...

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

A Shocking Reflection Of Evil In The Tradition Of Carrie and Heathers

Plot:

Shy teenager Megan (Rainbow Harvest) moves to a new town with her widowed mother (Karen Black) and quickly...

Plot Keywords:

Mirror | Reflection | Gore | Alone | Teenage Girl

Cast

Karen Black	...	Susan Gordon
Yvonne De Carlo	...	Emelin
William Sanderson	...	Mr. Veze
Rainbow Harvest	...	Megan Gordon
Kristin Dattilo	...	Nikki Chandler
Ricky Paull Goldin	...	Ron
Charlie Spradling	...	Charleen Kane (as Charlie)
Tom Bresnahan	...	Jeff (as Tom Breznahan)
Dorit Sauer	...	Kim
Ann Hearn	...	Mrs. Perlili
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Mr. Anderson
Pamela Perfili	...	P.E. Teacher
Scott Campbell	...	Class Smart Aleck
Traci Lee Gold	...	Mary Weatherworth
Michelle Gold	...	Elizabeth Weatherworth

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:18 | Australia:R | USA:R

Company:

Orphan Eyes

Trivia:

'Scott Forbes(ii)'s last movie.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Mirror, Mirror IV: Reflection (2000)

Soundtrack:

What a Love What a Life

Reflecting the inner-demon.

Where credit is due, 'Mirror, Mirror' is a hot and steamy little Gothic horror oddity that won't blow you away from its originality, but by confident performances (headed by the likable Karen Black and Yvonne De Carlo) and director Marina Sargenti's presentably moody handling which simply builds towards the ghastly shocks. The script is standard, but its focus on an outcast's passage through school-life remains stimulating… no matter how many times we've come across it before. This can be attributed to the sincere acting of Rainbow Harvest (as the shy Goth girl who has a striking resemblance to a 'Beetlejuice' star Wino Ryder), Kristin Dattilo and the buxom Charlie Spradling as the stuck-up bully. Then revenge is served, as those you get in Harvest's way… bites the dust in many unexpected ways.

Megan and her mother arrive at their new home and a mirror (which did belong to the original residents) in Megan's bedroom catches her attention. Starting school isn't easy, and she's made fun of instantly. Her anger is soon picked up by the mysterious mirror, which suddenly gives her the ability to cause some 'accidents'. Soon she begins to pick on these things and virtually it takes control of Megan, which would go on to hurt those who she cares for.

The low-key back-story could have been a little clearer about the supernatural link (but the conclusion holds a witty touch), and the story could have been tighten since it dragged on too long. The low-budget look didn't stop the atmospheric camera-work (like POV from the mirror) and lighting being effective. Sargenti stylishly uses slow motion efficiently, and crafts some lasting scenes (some bloody and cringe-like scenes) and the eerie flight of the shady score works trumps.

Very passable horror feature.