JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS

USA | 2001 | 35mm | 98 min.
Director: Harry Elfont, Deborah Kaplan
Cast: Rachael Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson, Parker Posey
When an evil record label implants subliminal messaging in pop music to brainwash the youth, rock trio Josie and the Pussycats become their unwitting Trojan Horse. Josie’s buoyant spoof of consumerism gamely extends the gag to the film itself, which is an unparalleled parody of product placement. Simultaneously subversive and escapist, this underrated comedy features a memorable batch of mall-punk cuts by alt-rock ringers like Adam Schlesinger. (MK)