The script of this movie, cowritten by Marissa Ribisi, who plays Claire the leading part, was created after Ribisi read a magazine article, "how to make a film for under $15,000. She showed the article to Brie Shaffer, her close friend. First it was the murder case mystery with Ribisi as Claire in the lead part. The other woman, April is the best friend of the leading woman, who kills her boyfriend Chad who cheated on her. But the script seemed to take shape more as a comedy, so Ribisi and Shaffer abandoned the murder plot, in favor of a comedy that strives to research realistic dating and serious love relationships, and the ironic results you get when you meet someone you desire, in the group of twenty-somethings, already past adolescence. The focus of this work is unrequitted love, and the lover you cannot rely on to give you a return of real love. This is illustrated as the relationship with Chad, who receives his reward in the end. Chad is a cad who entraps Claire with his tricks, and encourages her to want him, even though he is not interested.
When the first manuscript was completed, the story was simple, but getting the funds was not. Gay Ribisi, Marissa's mother, who produced a film called CHANGING HABITS featuring Marissa, came on board for SUM GIRL as a producer. "From the beginning, that script was liked enormously", says Gay Ribisi. "But 15,000 dollars was not going to do as a budget. Furthermore, it is character-centered, devoid of special effect and exploding cars, so it was going to be a challenge sell it. The content is good. I was moved by it. But it was going to need strong actors to get it off the ground."
The script was sent to Juliet Lewis, another friend of Marissa Ribisi. Her character, April, knows the boyfriend of Claire because she has slept with him before. She is a promiscuous character, unconcerned by how she treats her own boyfriend Neil. Lewis loved the script and agreed to play April. Says Lewis, "She plans carefully, choosing the right make-up, the right high-heeled shoes, the mini- skirt, the right everything, in order to attract men. Her ability to attract men and sleep with them is how she measures her self-worth. April is a sad but humorous woman. I was intrigued by how satiric her character was."
It was a while before a director had been found. They tried sending the script to Rory Kelly, director of indie romance "Sleep With Me". The filmmakers of SUM GIRL admired the romantic sarcasm of SLEEP WITH ME, a portrait of three people who deny the existence of love of truth, another love triangle that was very similar to Ribisi's and Shaffer's script.
Claire and April are both in torment over their lovelives. The focus is on the entanglements of their relationship with Chad, and the story was to be drawn both realistically and comically, with heart warmth and sarcasm.
Kelly was attached, but they still had yet to find their Chad. Everyone agreed to giving the part to Michael Rapaport, who had interest in this work. Michael, at that time, was committed to another movie, and it took two or three weeks for him to reply. But when he examined the various male roles in the movie, he prefered not to play the unfaithful Chad. Rather he wanted to play Neal. "I liked how he had such a hard time handling April, and how he faced so many difficulties with her. She was his weakness," says Rapaport. The Neal part was suitable for him, but that supporting performance can be difficult to play without the audience wondering if he is stupid or weak. But both Rapaport and Lewis were challenged as performers to do these difficult roles. Finally, the role of Chad went to Jeremy Sisto of Clueless.
SUM GIRL did photographing preparation in 2 weeks, it did not end photographing in 4 weeks and they went behind schedule. The starting of field photographing of 2 weeks was favorable. But, El Nino phenomenon attacked them. Because location site of the interior was limited, production was continued in the rain. But nobody complained. Everyone felt attachment to this film. The makeup people constantly had to towel dry the cast members' hair. There was a lot of nighttime filming, and everyone got a good laugh that the rain was not so visible at night. The rain is what most of the filmmakers crew and cast remember the most about this experience. "But everyone continued to give their utmost effort. The entire film shoot was a pleasant time for the staff and the cast mutually. They felt that a good movie wss made," says Gay Ribisi.
The movie is about Claire trying to keep a good attitude and be healthy, mentally and physically, and trying to search out an ideal romantic love relationship, but these things do not come easily for her. Naturally, the mens' eyes are drawn to her red hair, but it's not enough for Claire just to be physically desired. She is frustrated that she cannot seem to find the right guy. The harder she tries to find love, the more frustrated and confused she becomes, not knowing what to look for. April her close friend is worried about Claire, and advises her not to look for anything real, and like the underwear, April exchanges boyfriends frequently, having long ago become tired of looking and tired of hoping. Every morning, she wakes up with a new lover. Her philosphy on romance is that there is none.
Jason, the brother of Claire, would like to fall in love in the same way seriously, but he is an awkward young guy. But he is exactly like Claire, looking around and getting hurt. Jason and Claire are like reckless drivers, always crashing and being hurt. How can it be possible to find what they long for?
Is romantic love possible? Or only a dream?
Approximately after the 100th unrequited love, Claire hangs out on a street corner and meets Chad. Claire tries to ignore Chad, but he is too whimsical, and she falls for him. Just this man being different wins her over. But April gives more advice, "From my experience, stay away from Chad." What Claire does not know is Chad is just one in the enormous list of the men who have been with April. Later, the opportunistic April sleeps with Chad while he is to be committed to Claire. This causes Claire to lose both Chad, her boyfriend, and April, her best friend.
On the night of Halloween, there is a party, and Claire finds herself wanting vengeance against Chad for cheating. It is a very cute story.
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