Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Josie, Melody and Val are three small-town girl musicians determined to take their rock band out of their garage and straight to the top, while remaining true to their look, style and sound. They get a record deal which brings fame and fortune but soon realize they are pawns of two people who want to control the youth of America. They must clear their names, even if it means losing fame and fortune.
Josie and the Pussycats is a surprisingly sharp, self-aware satire of corporate pop culture and consumerism that was largely misunderstood on release. The film's meta-commentary on product placement and manufactured celebrity is genuinely clever and ahead of its time, earning it strong Novelty marks — it's a rare studio comedy that actively mocks the very industry machinery funding it. The plot is serviceable but thin, following a fairly predictable rise-and-corruption arc. The cast is charming and game, with Rachael Leigh Cook, Tara Reid, and Rosario Dawson sharing a likable chemistry, though the performances don't transcend the material. Cinematography is bright and energetic, fitting the pop aesthetic well without being especially distinguished. The ending deflates somewhat, resolving the conspiracy with convenience and wrapping up too neatly, failing to pay off the satirical sharpness established earlier.