Georgia Rule DVD Review

by Kam Williams

California Girl Goes to Grandma's for Rehab and Revenge in Dramedy Arriving on DVD

Other than graduating from high school early, Rachel (Lindsay Lohan) has generally been headed down a self-destructive path paved with booze, drugs and indiscriminate sex. The out-of-control, 17 year-old's behavior has been driving her mother, Lilly (Felicity Huffman), crazy, and the last straw arrives when the party girl totals her car.

Exasperated, mom decides that what might be best is a summer at grandma Georgia's (Jane Fonda) house in Hull, Idaho, a quiet Mormon town where she'd be less likely to get into trouble than home in San Francisco. Plus, because Georgia is a disciplinarian who doesn't put up with any nonsense, the hope is that her spoiled granddaughter might undergo an attitude readjustment while in her care.

The God-fearing, family matriarch starts reading Rachel the riot act right off the bat, laying down all of her house rules, and the begin to butt heads to no one's surprise. At least the teen does take a job as a receptionist for Simon (Dermot Mulroney), a still-grieving veterinarian who recently lost his wife and son in a car accident.

Gradually, she adapts to Hull's deliberate pace, except when it comes to her slutty sex habits. For some reason, Rachel remains hell bent on sleeping not only with her boss, but with the boyfriends of all the local girls giving her the hairy eyeball.

Yet, the nagging question that remains is whether there's a plausible explanation for all this acting out. The only hint is Rachel's playful suggestion that she's been sleeping with her stepfather, Arnold (Cary Elwes), since she was 12.

If true, this shocking revelation just might provide the incentive for some sweet intergenerational revenge as Rachel, Georgia and Lilly bond before the curtain comes down on this satisfying, female empowerment flick.

Very good (3 stars)
Rated R for profanity, mature themes, drug references and teen sexuality.
Running time: 113 minutes
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: Deleted scenes, gag reel, "The Making of Georgia Rule" and "The Women of Georgia Rule" featurettes, and more