The In Crowd (2000)

A Major Disappointment

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

I LOVE movies like this and they are all too rare. Yes, it's a highly commercial venture but its creators and participants just can't resist doing something compelling - and fascinating - with their work. For me, the all-time classic in this category would be Herk Harvey's "Carnival Of Souls" (1962). Expectations are set at zero but, scene by scene, something is developing that you just don't want to let go of. I find that low budget films in general have an astonishing tendency to find their own unique character! The basic premise is well-thought out and very well conceived - you immediately sense the vulnerability of Lori Heuring's very well-played character as the "have-not" among the disturbingly menacing "haves". And, as a result, you feel her personal strength as well. Thus the major conflict is set -- and the crisis and resolution turn out to be pretty gripping after all. Susan Ward is truly mesmerizing in her meticulously developed, wonderfully shaded role. The movie would be worth seeing for that alone but it's actually a very good, spine-tingling psychological horror/thriller and it's entertaining throughout.

Surf, sand, sex and MURDER! Welcome to an exclusive country club where the kids play to the brink of dawn, but an outsider turns their luxuary life inside out. And then all of a sudden some pesky "accidents" and mysterious killings start bothering the club too.Trash, trash, and more trash. Despite a PG-13 rating, this film pushes the rating as far as it can possibly go. You're not watching this kind of film expecting Hamlet or anything. It's filled with sexy bodies doing sexy things and for that this film is a total success. Susan Ward is an absolute delight in her role and steals every scene she is in. And director Mary Lambert plays up to the trashy aspects of the story perfectly and keeps things moving along quickly and swiftly. A ton of fun.

*SPOILER ALERT* *SPOILER ALERT*I saw this one in a nearly empty movie theater. It was me in the third row and two 11 or 12 year old girls three rows behind me. They said "Hey.". I said "Hey" back. We laughed that we were the only ones there and then the movie started. No more laughter.I was kind of hoping for a slightly sleazy thriller. But it was PG-13. I should have known better. So the outsider wants to be an insider with the pretty rich kids. The story was not interesting but the women were hot. I perked up during one scene on a boat when two of the "In Crowd" girls started to make moves on each other. The two little girls behind me started squirming in their seats and were yelling "Gross!". I was howling for more action. Unfortunately the PG-13 got in the way and spoiled the fun. Dang.This movie was all tease. It should have gone straight to cable, not a movie theater. For a late night cable flick, I probably would have watched it until I fell asleep. Instead I snoozed in the movie theater until I was the only one left. zzzzzzzzzz..

I think "The In Crowd" is more eye candy than a good movie. I only rented it because of Susan Ward, although the movie was kinda interesting.If you watched the special features on the DVD and watched the audio commentary with Susan Ward and the other actres, at the ending seen, with Susan in the cell room, they are both yelling "sequel! sequel!". Hah, I wonder if they will ever make a sequel to jusitfy this movie.