Movie Review: The Crush (1993)

Genre: Suspense  

Director: Alan Shapiro  

Starring: Cary Elwes, Alicia Silverstone, Kurtwood Smith  
Running Time: 89 minutes  

Synopsis: Investigative reporter Nick (Cary Elwes) accepts a new position working for a magazine in Seattle (but filmed in Vancouver, Canada). In a tony neighbourhood, he rents the guest house of wealthy couple Cliff and Liv (Kurtwood Smith and Gwynyth Walsh). Their precocious 14-year-old daughter Adrian (Alicia Silverstone) is frequently left home alone, and develops a serious crush on Nick. His initial ineptitude encourages her behavior, but when Nick befriends work colleague Amy (Jennifer Rubin), Adrian's obsessive malevolence is triggered.

What Works Well: Adrian is smart beyond her years, manipulative, and emerges as a psychopath. Alicia Silverstone (making her debut) just marginally overemotes as she captivates the screen with a combination of seductive flirtation and evil narcissism.

What Does Not Work As Well: The rest of the movie does not match the antagonist's potential. The mishaps become increasingly outlandish as Adrian develops far-fetched abilities to unleash wickedness on all her foes. Worse still is Nick's penchant for self-destruction by choosing the worst possible option at every turn (including skulking around Adrian's bedroom and voyeuristically hiding in her closet), and his inability to extricate himself from a clearly worsening situation (like, for example, by moving).

Key Quote:

Adrian (sarcastically): God, Amy... When I grow up I hope I can be just as smart as you.

Amy: Adrian, go play.

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