“To Die For” is a 1995 American black comedy crime film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, and Joaquin Phoenix. The film is loosely based on the true story of Pamela Smart, a high school teacher who convinced her teenage lover to kill her husband.
Nicole Kidman plays Suzanne Stone, a beautiful and ambitious weather reporter who dreams of becoming a television anchor. She becomes obsessed with fame and will do anything to achieve it, even if it means manipulating the people around her.
Matt Dillon plays Larry Maretto, Suzanne’s husband, who is a simple and kind-hearted man. Joaquin Phoenix plays Jimmy Emmett, a troubled teenager who falls under Suzanne’s spell and becomes her lover.
The film explores themes of obsession, ambition, and the toxic nature of fame. Kidman’s performance as Suzanne Stone was widely praised, and the film was a critical and commercial success.
Cast
The cast of “To Die For” (1995) includes:
- Nicole Kidman as Suzanne Stone Maretto
- Matt Dillon as Larry Maretto
- Joaquin Phoenix as Jimmy Emmett
- Casey Affleck as Russell Hines
- Illeana Douglas as Janice Maretto
- Alison Folland as Lydia Mertz
- Dan Hedaya as Joe Maretto
- Wayne Knight as Ed Grant
- Kurtwood Smith as Earl Stone
- Holland Taylor as Carol Stone
- David Cronenberg as Man at lake
- George Segal as Conference speaker.
These are some of the main cast members of the film.
Production
“To Die For” was produced by Columbia Pictures and was directed by Gus Van Sant, who is known for his work in independent cinema. The screenplay was written by Buck Henry and was based on the novel of the same name by Joyce Maynard. The film was shot on location in Toronto, Canada.
The production was notable for its use of a documentary-style approach, with characters speaking directly to the camera as if they were being interviewed. This technique was used to give the audience a sense of the characters’ inner thoughts and motivations.
The film’s soundtrack features songs from the 1960s and 1970s, including songs by The Mamas & the Papas, Donovan, and The Lovin’ Spoonful. The score was composed by Danny Elfman.
“To Die For” was released in the United States on September 27, 1995, and was well-received by critics. It grossed over $21 million worldwide against a budget of $20 million, making it a commercial success.
Reviews
The critical response to “To Die For” was largely positive. Nicole Kidman’s performance as Suzanne Stone was widely praised, with many critics noting her ability to play a character who was both charismatic and manipulative. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film four out of four stars and called it “a wickedly funny satire.”
The film was also praised for its unique style, with many critics noting its use of documentary-style interviews and its commentary on the cult of celebrity. However, some critics felt that the film’s satire was too broad and that the characters were too exaggerated.
Overall, “To Die For” received an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus stating, “Smart, funny, and thoroughly well-cast, To Die For takes a sharp – and sadly prescient – stab at dissecting America’s obsession with celebrity.” The film also received several award nominations, including a Golden Globe nomination for Nicole Kidman’s performance.
Where are they now?
Nicole Kidman, who played Suzanne Stone, has since become one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses. She has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in “The Hours” (2002). She has also starred in many other successful films, including “Moulin Rouge!” (2001), “The Others” (2001), and “The Undoing” (2020).
Matt Dillon, who played Larry Maretto, has continued to act in films and television shows. He has appeared in a variety of genres, including dramas like “Crash” (2004) and comedies like “There’s Something About Mary” (1998).
Joaquin Phoenix, who played Jimmy Emmett, has become one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors. He has won several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “Joker” (2019). He has also starred in critically acclaimed films like “Her” (2013), “The Master” (2012), and “Walk the Line” (2005).
Illeana Douglas, who played Janice Maretto, has continued to act in films and television shows. She has also written a memoir, “I Blame Dennis Hopper: And Other Stories from a Life Lived In and Out of the Movies” (2015).
Overall, the cast of “To Die For” has had successful careers in the entertainment industry, and many of them continue to work on new projects.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about “To Die For”:
- The film was partly inspired by the true story of Pamela Smart, a high school teacher who convinced her teenage lover to kill her husband in 1990.
- Gus Van Sant, the director of the film, also directed the critically acclaimed “Good Will Hunting” (1997) and “Milk” (2008).
- The film was shot in 34 days on a budget of $20 million.
- To prepare for her role as Suzanne Stone, Nicole Kidman watched footage of television anchors and studied their mannerisms.
- The film’s soundtrack features songs from the 1960s and 1970s, including “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas & The Papas and “Season of the Witch” by Donovan.
- The film was originally titled “To Die For… Until Death Do Us Part” but was later shortened to “To Die For”.
- The film features several cameo appearances by notable figures, including author Joyce Maynard, who wrote the novel on which the film is based, and filmmaker David Cronenberg.
- Joaquin Phoenix’s character, Jimmy Emmett, is shown playing guitar and singing in the film. Phoenix actually wrote and performed the song himself.
- Matt Dillon was originally considered for the role of Jimmy Emmett before being cast as Larry Maretto.
- “To Die For” was remade as a TV series in 2021, starring Kate McKinnon in the role of Suzanne Stone.
Box office
“To Die For” was a moderate box office success, grossing over $21 million worldwide against a budget of $20 million. In the United States, the film grossed $21.3 million, making it the 89th highest-grossing film of 1995.
The film was released on September 27, 1995, and opened in 795 theaters, grossing $6.3 million in its opening weekend. The film’s success can be attributed to positive critical reviews and the strong performances by the cast, particularly Nicole Kidman in the lead role.
Despite its modest box office success, “To Die For” has since become a cult classic and is considered one of Gus Van Sant’s best films. The film’s commentary on celebrity culture and obsession with fame has also become more relevant in the years since its release.
Trailer
