Movie Info
Movie Name: Superstar
Studio: SNL Studios
Genre(s): Comedy
Release Date(s): October 8, 1999
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Watch out for splinters!
Mary Katherine Gallagher (Molly Shannon) has a dream of being kissed and hopes this kiss to come from the best dancer in school Sky Corrigan (Will Ferrell). To achieve this goal, Mary Katherine Gallagher must become a Hollywood success. With her friend Helen Lewengrub (Emmy Laybourne) and a talent competition, Mary Katherine Gallagher will defy her grandmother (Glynis Johns), be pursued by a mysterious rebel student (Harland Williams), face off against her nemesis Evion (Elaine Hendrix), and set out to win the heart of Sky…by being a Superstar!!!
Directed by Bruce McCulloch, Superstar (sometimes seen as Superstar: Dare to Dream) is a comedy based on the Saturday Night Live Mary Katherine Gallagher skit by Molly Shannon who first appeared in the October 28, 1995 with host Gabriel Byrne. The movie was met with mostly negative reviews and was a modest success at the box office.
They’re all going to laugh at you Mary Katherine Gallagher!!!
Superstar is a really dumb movie…but for some reason I like it. It is a dumb comedy that doesn’t have any pretenses of being a smart comedy and add to that the charm of Molly Shannon, the movie is entertaining.
The movie is a bit of a riff on a lot of films but primarily Carrie (as it states over and over again) and an ’80s John Hughes type film. The script is loaded with tons of pop culture references that sometimes ages the film, and it often does take it too far. Despite this, there is something humorous about the movie which I think stands out a bit better than some of the SNL movie adaptations.
The movie is really all about Molly Shannon. She gives a lot of energy and life to the character and is willing to humiliate herself. Will Ferrell comes in a pale second but still has some great moments. There is a decent supporting cast with Harland Williams as the mysterious Eric Slater and Elaine Hendrix as the “evil” Evian. Tom Green has a small role and Glynis Johns (who is known for A Little Night Music and Mary Poppins) gives her last film performance as Molly Shannon’s grandmother.
God…don’t take my ugly dog!
It is often hard to make a goofy comedy look more than just a goofy comedy and Superstar doesn’t succeed in this. The movie looks like any other film but it Molly Shannon also gives energy to her performance…and there are a number of dance numbers…and you cannot hate a movie that forces the cast to dance repeatedly.
Superstar is by no means a good movie, but it can be entertaining if it hits you right. I think it is kind of funny and fun, but I can definitely see how it isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t a Molly Shannon fan or a Will Ferrell fan, steer clear and find another comedy.
