Hayley Wagner, Star (1999 TV Movie) User Reviews (8)

Not a bad idea, but poorly executed

[Jonsi · 3/10 · 30 October 2000]

This review doesn't exactly contain a spoiler but it does contain a description of one rather insignificant scene.

This is one of those movies I watched without knowing anything about it and therefore not having any expectations whatsoever. And I did not like it at all. In short the story revolves around this former child star, Hayley Wagner, who announces her retirement at the age of 15 as the puberty has deprived her of more offers. She comes home, starts attending to her local high-school and tries to adjust to her new life.

This is not at all a bad idea for a movie but unfortunately it's just not very well executed. There are two main reasons. First, the script is not good. It's trying hard to be funny but fails repeatedly and in many scenes it's just plain stupid. Example: The zombie extras are tired of waiting for the star to come out of her trailer and shoot the scene so they start chasing her around, acting like zombies. What was that? Why was the star so afraid of this people? A bad and stupid idea. Second, the acting in the movie is generally bad. This could be the director's fault, though. It seems as if his standards weren't high enough.

These reasons contributed to the film being difficult to watch as I thought it was boring. But it has its upsides. Although I didn't particularly like Richards' performance in the movie I must give her that she is a hugely charismatic actress and she's great to look at. But I think comedy isn't her style as the scenes that were supposed to be funny -- weren't. I would like to see her later in a more dramatic role, she might do well there. Also, the movie carries a beautiful message on the importance of being generally nice and to follow your heart.

But it simply wasn't enough and all in all this is a poor movie.

absolutely forgettable

[acelda · 2/10 · 10 May 2002]

An absolutely forgettable movie, full of clichés and with a completely predictable story. Watching it was definately wasted money and wasted time. Hard to say, whether the actors were good or not, as the story didn't allow them to show their talent. Let's put it this way - I know why it is a TV-movie and never made it to the big screen...

Good entertainment for younger folk.

[Hermit C-2 · 7/10 · 28 September 1999]

This is a good one for young teenagers and pre-teens that I stumbled across recently. Bethany Richards is Hayley, a child star famous for movies like 'A Girl Named Kevin' and of course the 'Hanna Banana' series. Now that she's fifteen she's ready to give up that rat race and settle down into a normal life. Only as soon as she does it, she's not so sure that's what she's cut out for.

Ms. Richards is engaging in the part and she's awfully cute, even by teenage actress standards. Some of the other cast might not be the best actors in the world but that will hardly stop most folks from enjoying it.

Cute...

[mk723 · 8/10 · 4 December 2000]

Alright, alright...It's not an award winner, but it's dreadfully cute. Although the acting and script weren't what they could've\should've been, the movie just exuberates so much positive energy, that you get sucked into it. The characters are just so much fun, that you find it hard to hate the bad guy...you just want to laugh at them. Richards brings such vitality to the movie...just watching her work makes you smile. I recommend this movie to anyone bored out of their mind one late night. It's a bit of a young chick flick, but it's fun.

where is bethany richards?

[oncrueldeath · 10/10 · 7 May 2003]

you know, unfortunately i don't remember much about this movie. it was a showtime movie or something so i saw it when i still lived with my parents! now that i'm on my own and cant afford such luxuries as cable i havent had the chance to see it even though i know its been on one of those "showtime family east/west memory lane" channels. its a good flick though, i recall being morbidly fascinated by it (switching the channel back to "fight club" if anyone walked in the room so they wouldnt ask me strange questions). hmmm...a former child star who's career is essentially over at age 16 or something, and she has to go back to school and of course hilarity ensues. now that i think about it, perhaps it wasnt a good movie at all. but i can say that the star, bethany richards, put on a really good performance. she was adorable. dear god, am i really writing this? anyway, i don't think she's done anything since and i find that to be a real shame. maybe in the future she'll pop up in a movie where she's not playing a young schoolgirl and i won't have to feel guilty for enjoying myself. :)

Meghan Ory as the very attractive Caitlin Curren

[prettyface · 29 January 2004]

** SPOILER **

It is unfair. Meghan Ory was a popular girl in school and her life was perfect until the arrival of Bethany Richards. Bethany Richards is a spoilt girl who dreams about her past too much. She even annoyed Alyson Hannigan! How can Jane McGreggor be so obsessed with Bethany Richards when Meghan Ory was obviously better? Nick Cornish was a totally foolish guy. What is the chance of having someone like Meghan Ory eyeing on him? Meghan Ory did not do anything unreasonable, but the ending of having her voice muted while the whole school was anticipating her great performance as the beautiful Juliet is too harsh of a punishment. REVIEW - Meghan Ory as the very attractive Caitlin Curren in Hayley Wagner, Star (1999) (TV).

Bethany Richards is a very annoying and unattractive girl always thinking that she's a movie star which in fact, she is nothing at all. Bethany Richards went into high school and there was the very beautiful supermodel like Caitlin Curren acted by Meghan Ory. Caitlin Curren is very sexy, great body, nice long blonde hair, and her mouth is so sweet.

Bethany Richards walked into the high school and acted arrogantly, Caitlin Curren taught her a lesson by giving her wrong direction. There was a girl who loves to be with Caitlin Curren. Something likes her bodyguard. Somehow Bethany Richards has a friend, and that was Mira (Jane McGreggor). Mira was somehow not attracted to the gorgeous Caitlin Curren.

When Bethany Richards walked into the class room, Caitlin Curren smartly teased her by saying her acting it's like a `stink' bomb. What a cool girl! Bethany Richards's friend (Mira) said Caitlin Curren is just jealous because before Bethany Richards came Caitlin Curren is the Star of the school. Bethany Richards said she hate and pity her. Bethany Richards must be dreaming that she could bring down Caitlin Curren's fame. But, the real fact is Caitlin Curren is the school's most admirable celebrity with lots of guys wanting to date her. Female friends will want to get close with her.

Bethany Richards like the new guy in school Peyton Bradley. Then, the school has a show for Romeo & Juliet. Caitlin Curren signed up and the school sees hope. Caitlin Curren is going to be the perfect Juliet. Caitlin Curren also warned Bethany Richards to stay away from Peyton because he belongs to her.

Caitlin Curren beat everyone in the petition for Juliet. The teacher loves her acting, her style and her beauty. He had decided Caitlin Curren as Juliet, but Bethany Richards came last and insist for the play. Caitlin Curren's guard wanted to go check her out, but Caitlin Curren said `Who care?' and changed her mind and asked her to go check out and report to her.

Caitlin Curren asked her guard how. She replied `Sad'. Caitlin Curren was happy to hear that but she said `She's good and she's getting the part.' Caitlin Curren then uses her beauty to seduce the teacher to get the role. The teacher must be blind to have considered Bethany Richards. And, how can Caitlin Curren's guard even say Bethany Richards is good?

The final list has revealed. Caitlin Curren is the ultimate Juliet. Bethany Richards's friend cheated Caitlin Curren that there is something called the Juliet curse. Caitlin Curren even asked Peyton to go out during weekends, but he said he wanted to go out with Bethany Richards. Caitlin Curren was angry.

Note - Alyson Hannigan as Jenna Jakes was in the movie for a while, and she's a babe.

Oh my god!!!!!!!!

[spikes-lover · 30 December 2001]

It's cheesy {not in a good way}, lame and doesn't manage to fall on it's feet. The acting is bad, to say the least and the only good thing about it is the very small cameo of Alyson Hannigan, which leaves you wondering why she degraded herself so much to do this movie. The script has no depth and the comedy scenes are just not funny. I wouldn't bother wasting a good afternoon watching it, find something good instead.

Great entertainment for young people. Clean with a useful didactic

[melsco · 12 March 2000]

Great entertainment for young people. Clean with a useful didactic. The star has a very convincing youthful freshness. The zombie scene is extremely well done. The writer/producer/director, Nell Scovell, will be heard from again and again.