Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
74%RT Audience Score: 65%
Awards & Nominations: 4 nominations
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion has an admittedly slight premise, but it’s elevated by ample heart, an infectiously playful spirit, and the buoyant chemistry of Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is like a time capsule of the 90s, complete with big hair, bright colors, and Lisa Kudrow’s deadpan humor. It’s a fun and feel-good movie that celebrates the power of friendship and being true to yourself. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Janeane Garofalo cameo? It may not be the most groundbreaking film out there, but it’s definitely worth a watch if you’re in the mood for some fluffy fun. Just don’t expect it to be the next Citizen Kane.
Production Company(ies)
Mappa Genco
Distributor
Buena Vista International [us], Buena Vista Pictures, BV International Pictures [no]
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
417 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language
Year of Release
1997
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 31m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 25, 1997 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 25, 2005
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming, Julia Campbell, Mia Cottet, directed by David Mirkin, written by Robin Schiff, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Rachel Vorona Cote, Ryan Gilbey, Carol Buckland, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Peter Travers, Jack Mathews, Josh Winning, Mike Massie, Matthew Sweet, David Nusair, Emily Sears, producer Laurence Mark, MPAA rating R, high school reunion, friendship, personal and professional lives, lie, reform, female friendship, toothless Clueless, Mighty Aphrodite, love story, two women, dance sequence, trashy apartment, no jobs, no boyfriends, no sense of fashion, successful businesswomen, post-its, exposed, true to themselves
Worldwide gross: $29,235,353
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $54,497,062
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,291
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,942,973
US/Canada gross: $29,235,353
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $54,497,062
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,030
US/Canada opening weekend: $7,429,406
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $13,849,014
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 834
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Lisa Kudrow – Michele Weinberger
Janeane Garofalo – Heather Mooney
Alan Cumming – Sandy Frink
Julia Campbell – Christy Masters
Mia Cottet – Cheryl
Director(s)
David Mirkin
Writer(s)
Robin Schiff
Producer(s)
Laurence Mark
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (60) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (16)
Enjoying Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion requires several intersectional caveats – but unfortunately, we could say the same for most films being made today. What the film does offer, albeit hesitatingly, is a love story between two women.
March 1, 2021
Rachel Vorona Cote
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
Call it Bill and Ted with attitude, or a toothless Clueless: either way, the film uses up its best lines in the first 40 minutes, and only comes to life whenever the splendidly grouchy Janeane Garofalo is on screen.
December 15, 2018
Ryan Gilbey
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
If you’re in the mood for fluffy fun, it is likely to make you laugh. The flick holds special charms for moviegoers who, like me, were not members of their high school “in” crowd.
January 5, 2018
Carol Buckland
CNN.com
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: C+
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Kudrow’s Michele is a deadpan delight.
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
Beneath the endless silliness of the movie beats a real heart
February 14, 2001
Jack Mathews
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
The film has great fun subverting teen-movie tropes and triumphs as a beautiful testament to female friendship.
June 8, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Josh Winning
Radio Times
The good-natured feel of these air-headed characters makes for a genuinely fun time.
September 24, 2020 | Rating: 6/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
As she did in Mighty Aphrodite, Sorvino rises above knackered material that seems set on patronising her character.
December 15, 2018
Matthew Sweet
Independent on Sunday
Perpetually uneven but affable enough…
July 3, 2018 | Rating: 2.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
It’s a fun, feel good movie about being true to yourself that celebrates how friendship can be the most powerful love a person can hope to find.
September 26, 2017
Emily Sears
Birth.Movies.Death.
Writer Robin Schiff, adapting her own play, is terrific at permitting her protagonists to drive the film rather than place them into a film she’s already worked out.
May 17, 2015 | Rating: 7/10
Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy…
Plot
Romy and Michele have been through it all, including being tortured by the Popular crowd when in high school. When they receive word of a 10 year reunion, they come to realize their lives aren’t as impressive as they’d like them to be. Instead of staying home they go to the reunion with business outfits, cell phones, and one heck of a bogus success story.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion stars Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino, who have “buoyant chemistry” according to Fresh Kernels.
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