Film Review
American Mary (2012)
★★★★★
If you like twisted female characters, this film is chock full of them
American Mary stars Katharine Isabelle (Freddy vs. Jason, Ginger Snaps) as a medical student who applies for work as a dancer at a strip club to help make ends meet. When a “medical emergency” occurs during Mary’s interview, the club owner, knowing that Mary’s a med student, offers her five grand on the spot to save the victim’s life. Mary does, but sure doesn’t seem to appreciate the chance for the hands-on experience because she goes home, gets sick, and tries to shower the ordeal away.
The next day, Beatress, a dancer at the club calls Mary after hearing about her surgical skills and need for cash. The Betty Boop-like (and in a very creepy sort of way) Beatress offers Mary twelve grand to perform some unusual elective surgery on her doll-like friend Ruby Realgirl, who wants to become less anatomically correct. Apparently, the cash is enough for Mary to get over her ethical and moral qualms and she performs the surgery.
Subsequently and with good reason, Mary becomes disenchanted with becoming a legitimate surgeon, and quits medical school to become a body modification specialist, working out of her apartment. I won’t go into any more of the story or be a spoiler (you can go to the film’s Wikipedia listing for that), but if you like movies where only and all the female characters are off the deep end, this is a gem you shouldn’t miss. Also, kudos to all those in the makeup department on this one.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. Currently in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco, besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
