As a cinema connoisseur who grew up in the golden age of ’90s comedies, I must say that Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is a timeless gem. Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow delivered performances so extraordinary, it’s a mystery they didn’t sweep every award show under the sun.
Among the timeless gems that ’90s cinema bestowed upon us, “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” stands out as one of the zanier, more unconventional picks, earning itself a dedicated cult fanbase. Under the guidance of David Mirkin, Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow delivered exceptional performances that, surprisingly, didn’t garner any awards, but undeniably, they won over countless hearts.
10 years post our high school graduation, Romy and I, lifelong companions, continued our carefree existence, mostly for our own amusement. However, a whimsy struck us to attend our alma mater’s reunion, which led us to a startling realization: compared to some of our peers, we hadn’t exactly conquered the world. In a bid to impress everyone, we concocted fantastical careers out of thin air.
The movie employs a blend of flashbacks, surreal dreams, and a whimsical atmosphere, which can leave viewers somewhat perplexed as they struggle to distinguish fact from fantasy, especially regarding the conclusion. In truth, some enthusiasts assert that the film’s finale is not grounded in reality, much like that of Grease. This ambiguity encourages a unique interpretation of the movie and even offers insights into its enigmatic ending.
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion Ending, Explained
Through their daily routines, Romy working at a Jaguar dealership as a cashier and Michele creating dresses for leisure, might give the impression of simple, unambitious lives. However, an unexpected encounter at work with an old classmate, Heather Mooney, who innovated fast-burning cigarette paper, made them question whether their post-graduation lives were as ordinary as they thought. (It’s a bit absurd to think that being an unemployed dressmaker isn’t a dream come true.)
Borrowing a Jaguar XJ-S from a coworker, they hit the road, with Michele making dresses on the way. The drive from California to Arizona gave the pair time to come up with the funny facade that they were the joint inventors of the Post-it note. However, a disagreement over who had the original idea causes an argument, and they agree to go their own way once they arrive at the reunion. The events from this point on are contentious. The girls appear to arrive and are heralded as successes by everyone, winning awards for the “Most Changed For the Better Since High School,” but still refuse to talk to one another. Cut to 70 years in the future, and Romy and Michele are still rehashing the same fight even though Romy is on her deathbed.
In my perspective as a film reviewer, let me share some thoughts: Initially, after the heated argument, it seems as though nothing of consequence had transpired between them, as Michelle finds herself alone in the car outside their reunion venue. However, the remainder of the movie unfolds to reveal the true events of that gathering, or so it appears to the viewers. Their fabricated narrative, as unconvincing as it was initially presented, is finally exposed when Heather Mooney unexpectedly arrives and exposes their deception, revealing them both to be working in a retail job and unemployed respectively.
Following a spell of self-pity, Romy and Michele slip into the gowns Michele tailored, re-entering the gathering as their true selves, and choosing to cease attempting to win over others’ approval. Consequently, the evening transforms into a triumph for them, according to their own measures. In the meantime, former nerd-turned-millionaire Sandy arrives by helicopter, shares a dance with Romy and Michele on “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper, then departs by helicopter towards their upcoming days. Their future encompasses Romy and Michele borrowing money from Sandy to launch a highly successful fashion boutique, entirely designed by Michele, living blissfully ever after.
What Does This Fan Theory Change?
The finale of Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is remarkably satisfying. From the former bully, now a Vogue editor, complimenting their handmade dresses as “not terrible,” to a spontaneous dance performance that earned everyone’s approval, and swiftly establishing a thriving business within half a year, it all seems almost unbelievable.
The fan theory suggests that the ending of the film might be overly optimistic and unrealistic. It could have taken two different paths. One possibility is that Michele didn’t truly wake up from her dream, making the final scenes a second instance of misleading us. Another intriguing idea is that Romy and Michele, after being publicly humiliated, may have crafted an ending that veered away from reality, one that viewers might not recognize as fabricated due to its contrast with their perceived competence. This latter notion seems more plausible because it’s hard to imagine Michele inventing such a negative turn of events in her dreams.
Following their hasty exit from the reunion, Romy and/or Michele likely experienced some event that skewed the series of events that followed. This could be due to them having a physical accident like bumping their heads, or being so emotionally overwhelmed by the situation that their brains might have altered their perception of subsequent events as a survival mechanism. Regardless, after witnessing the amusing dance scene, it’s challenging not to view it as disconnected from reality.
Furthermore, while we all played a role in envisioning Romy and Michele’s future prosperity, it’s hard not to find their rapid rise to prominence with a thriving boutique within just six months somewhat magical. Granted, the venture was financed by Sandy, but let’s be honest, he dramatically arrived via helicopter at the climax of the reunion, sweeping Romy and Michele off to paradise, leaving their tormentors wallowing in bitterness below.
We’re Choosing to Believe in the Movie’s Narrative
The film’s ending was almost like it was dreamed up in their heads, reflective of the best life they already thought they were living. The theory is interesting and makes a lot of sense for the film’s ending. However, it would take power away from its message, since the moment Romy and Michele stopped trying to impress their former classmates, their lives began to get better. Anyway, to them, their lives were going great until Heather unintentionally exposed their lack of growth since high school. Whether the theory is true or not, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is one of the best feel-good comedy films of the late ’90s, with a well-deserved sequel currently in the works.
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2024-09-27 01:31