I loved Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion when I was younger and less cynical. Will I still love it today? Read my rewatch review!
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is a nostalgic view into the late 1990s when fashion was extravagant and giant flip phones were considered modern. Rewatching this comedy classic was like re-discovering that embarrassing photo from your youth—cringeworthy yet undeniably fun. I haven’t seen it since I was younger than the two main characters and wondered if it would still hold up many (many) years later. In a way, it did!
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A look back at the late 1990s
From the jump, No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” made me want to dust off my old CD collection, although I’m not sure I have a device to play a CD anymore! In fact, I’ll be looking up the entire soundtrack later. The exaggerated fashion choices hit a little too close to home, reminding me of some questionable style decisions of the late 1990s.
I once judged Romy and Michele for their jobs, but now, I respect their hustle. They aren’t even 30 yet, and they have their own beachfront apartment and pay their own rent (most 20-somethings cannot say the same these days)!
The cast
Janeane Garofalo’s character felt like a kindred spirit this time around as the relatable high school misfit (although super exaggerated). And let’s not forget Justin Theroux’s unexpected cowboy persona or Alan Cumming’s nerd-turned-billionaire – they were standouts in a crowd of over-the-top characters.
The lack of diversity in the cast hasn’t aged well; that is one white cast! It wasn’t the technology that dated the movie (my parents had that giant cell phone!); it was the super white main cast. Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino’s comedic chemistry still steals the movie, so it’s hard to notice the flaws, but the sea of white is glaring.
That dance!
Before I end this, I have to mention the final dance. The grand finale sequence is absolutely ridiculous yet strangely endearing—a perfect example of the film’s absurd charm. I don’t understand how the actors managed to film this without laughing! Watch the scene now, set to Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time:”
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion remains a comedic classic, although one with its fair share of quirks. Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino shine as the titular duo, carrying the film with their incredible talent. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a guilty pleasure worth indulging in for those craving a trip down memory lane. So grab your popcorn and prepare to roll your eyes!
