The "curve" in the title refers to a grading curve. At a college Chris (Michael Vartan) wants to get into Harvard--but isn't getting the grades. His roommate Tim (Matthew Lillard) wants the same but also doesn't have the grades. The they hear if you have a roommate who commits suicide you get an automatic 4.0 from the college. And they have a horribly obnoxious roommate (Randall Batinkoff)...
Not bad little thriller. It's well-made, moves quickly and has a good cast that were virtual unknowns when this was made. There are some problems--there was a plot twist an hour in that I just didn't buy and there were TOO many twists and turns at the end. Also Lillard and Batinkoffs' characters are SO cruel and unlikable that it's hard to give a damn about them...and also hard to believe that they are so popular around campus. And Dana Delaney is wasted as the school psychologist. Still it's easy to overlook these faults.
The acting is good--Lillard overacts (as always) but it fits the role; Batinkoff underacts nicely; Vartan is somber (but he's supposed to be) and Keri Russell (as Vartan's girlfriend) is very good. There's a nice soundtrack with some impressive visuals--I love the two candlelit vigils in this.
Some previous posters have complained about the ending being too confusing with too many loose ends. They're right--but this is just a nice quick little thriller--don't think about it TOO much. I give it a 7.
Not bad little thriller. It's well-made, moves quickly and has a good cast that were virtual unknowns when this was made. There are some problems--there was a plot twist an hour in that I just didn't buy and there were TOO many twists and turns at the end. Also Lillard and Batinkoffs' characters are SO cruel and unlikable that it's hard to give a damn about them...and also hard to believe that they are so popular around campus. And Dana Delaney is wasted as the school psychologist. Still it's easy to overlook these faults.
The acting is good--Lillard overacts (as always) but it fits the role; Batinkoff underacts nicely; Vartan is somber (but he's supposed to be) and Keri Russell (as Vartan's girlfriend) is very good. There's a nice soundtrack with some impressive visuals--I love the two candlelit vigils in this.
Some previous posters have complained about the ending being too confusing with too many loose ends. They're right--but this is just a nice quick little thriller--don't think about it TOO much. I give it a 7.