All The Boys Love Mandy Lane (2013)

Running Time: 90 minutes

Release Date: Sep. 9, 2006 (TIFF) and Oct. 11, 2013 (limited US release)

Review by: Stacey

This was one of those rare movies that I actually went into full on cold watch.  I didn't even know what the premise was.  All The Boys Love Mandy Lane, that's basically all I knew.  I was a little hesitant because initially I thought it would be some kind of gross, teenage rape film.  I was way off.

Directed by Jonathan Levine (50/50, Warm Bodies), All The Boys... follows titular character, Mandy Lane (Amber Heard)-she's the hottest chick in the school, she doesn't drink, smoke, or sex it up.  And of course, all the dudes want to bang it out with her.  Mandy doesn't need that shit, though.  She's got her bff, Emmet (Michael Welch), well, until he pulls a deadly stunt at a party and becomes the shit stain on Mandy and the popular kids' jeans.  Fast forward a bit and Mandy and her friends all go out to a ranch house for some teenage debauchery.  Everyone still loves Mandy Lane and everyone starts dying.

Yes, All The Boys Love Mandy Lane is a slasher flick.  But an actually pretty good slasher.  Shot and completed in 2006, the film made it's way through the festival circuit but due to distributor issues wasn't released in the US for another seven years, creating hype for the movie "everyone had to see but couldn't."  

The film refuses to let you forget that Mandy is hot and everyone wants her.  We'll get that out of the way as far as cons go.  I can't blame them for bashing you over the head with that, because hey, Amber Heard is a babe.  There were a few moments with her and several of the boys that teetered on "Well, this looks like an opener for sexual assault" but never took the plunge, thankfully.  The other characters aren't very likeable and are your typical "teen" stoners, jocks and pretty girls.  Speaking of stoners, Red (Aaron Himelstein) gave off a real Sam Rockwell vibe, only less cool.

It's not an original concept by any means, but it's fun and evenly paced.  I appreciate a good horror that knows when to cut it off.  There were several nods to Texas Chainsaw Massacre, as well, which was a pleasant surprise.  The writing wasn't horrible and it boasted a decent soundtrack that I actually wouldn't mind owning (but apparently there was no soundtrack released. WELL.)  There was blood and gore and the tension was built up to keep everything flowing.

What's a slasher without a twist(s), right?  They're fairly predictable but still interesting and tie it all up enough to not piss you off.  Would I own it on dvd?  Sure, why not!  Not everyone is going to love or even like All The Boys Love Mandy Lane, but it's still a good one to keep in your queue and enjoy this Halloween season.

3.5/5 boys love Mandy Lane...JK EVERYONE LOVES HER, GET IT??

Still want to watch it?  Go check it out on Netflix!