Romy and Michele: The Ultimate 90s High School Reunion

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Show Notes

What would you do if you had to face your high school classmates after years of living a carefree life? Would you lie to impress them, or embrace who you really are? In this episode, we dive into Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion, a film that explores just this scenario. Released in 1997, this comedy has become a cult classic for its quirky humor, memorable characters, and a portrayal of friendship that transcends high school social hierarchies. If you haven’t seen the film in a while, or if you’re discovering it for the first time, this post will give you a glimpse into why Romy & Michele still resonates with audiences today.

Synopsis:

Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion centers around two 28-year-old women, Romy White and Michele Weinberger, who are living in Los Angeles, enjoying a carefree lifestyle. They are single, unambitious, and, most notably, uninterested in fitting into conventional societal molds. However, when they learn that their 10-year high school reunion is fast approaching, the two women quickly realize that their lack of career success and major life achievements will make them stand out for all the wrong reasons.

As a result, they come up with an elaborate plan to fabricate an impressive backstory. They decide to lie and claim that they were the masterminds behind the invention of the Post-it note. It’s an outlandish, yet clever, idea designed to make them appear successful and accomplished. But as the reunion approaches, their plan begins to unravel when they encounter their old classmates. Among these classmates is the snobbish “A-Group” and Sandy Frink, who has become a successful businessman, further highlighting Romy and Michele’s insecurities.

Through a series of hilarious missteps, awkward confrontations, and moments of self-discovery, Romy & Michele eventually embrace who they really are. They learn to let go of their fabricated personas and face their past, ultimately gaining unexpected validation from others. By the end of the film, Romy and Michele are reconciled to the idea that they don’t need to impress anyone to feel good about themselves. The movie closes on an uplifting note, with the two women opening a successful fashion boutique together, proving that success comes in many different forms.

Opinion Questions:

In each episode, we take a closer look at some of the characters and scenes that left a lasting impact. Here, we explore the elements that make Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion such a beloved film.

Favorite Character?

While the film has an ensemble cast of characters, one stands out as a favorite for many fans: Heather Mooney, played by Janine Garofalo. With her 90s “screw you” attitude, Heather represents a rebellious, contrarian spirit that still resonates with many viewers. Her cynical remarks and blunt demeanor provide much-needed comic relief, and her interactions with the other characters are a highlight of the film. Heather’s honesty and sharp wit stand in stark contrast to the more naive and gullible Romy and Michele, making her an intriguing, albeit occasionally abrasive, presence in the story.

Favorite Scene?

One scene that always sticks out is Michele’s vivid dream sequence. In this moment, she imagines herself and Romy attending the reunion and being lauded for their fake success. The fantasy is surreal, as Michele rattles off the entire glue formula for the Post-it note invention, impressing everyone around her. The absurdity of the situation—and Michele’s enthusiastic delivery—makes it one of the most memorable moments of the movie.

To find out more about our thoughts on these favorite characters and scenes, you’ll have to tune in to the episode!

Fun Questions:

We all love to imagine what we’d do if we were in the shoes of our favorite movie characters, and Romy & Michele provides the perfect opportunity for some fun hypotheticals. Here are some fun questions to consider:

If you were attending your own high school reunion, what fake career would you invent to impress your classmates, and why?

If you were in Romy and Michele’s shoes, what elaborate lie would you come up with to wow your former classmates? Maybe you’d invent something ridiculous, like being an underwater bomb defuser or a circus bear hair stylist! The possibilities are endless, and the humor in crafting outlandish careers is part of the fun. Of course, it’s one thing to come up with these fictional careers, but how would you handle the pressure of maintaining them at the reunion?

How Could You Even Fake Something Like That With All Online Presences Like Facebook and Stuff?

In today’s age of social media and constant online tracking, faking a career might seem more difficult than ever. But if you were to follow in Romy and Michele’s footsteps, you’d need to get creative. Perhaps creating fake online accounts with photos of you in full costume could help, or maybe you’d just get really good at pretending you’re someone you’re not. The challenges of maintaining a lie in the era of social media might make it harder for today’s generation to pull off the same antics, but it’s fun to think about.

Which One of Them Would You Want to Have as a Friend?

If you had to choose, would you want Michele or Romy as a friend? Michele’s carefree attitude and willingness to say “OKAY” to anything makes her the more spontaneous choice. Her easygoing nature and openness to new experiences would likely make her a fun friend to have by your side. However, Romy’s loyalty and willingness to make things right after their fallout is another great quality, making both women strong candidates for friendship.

For more thoughts on which character would be the best friend, be sure to listen to the episode!

Ratings & Reviews:

To get a full picture of the reception that Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion received from critics and audiences, let’s take a look at some of the ratings and reviews.

On Rotten Tomatoes:

  • Critics gave the film a solid 75% rating.
  • Audience reviews were slightly more mixed, with a 66% rating.

Couple of Fan Reviews:

  • “I miss the days when movies were made to entertain the audience. Mission accomplished.” – DG (Dec. 2023) – 5 out of 5 stars.
  • “Millennials will love it. It’s brainless, cute, and has a lot of heart. Very memorable.” – Ruan H (April 2023) – 3.5 out of 5 stars.
  • “I didn’t laugh once. I did roll my eyes a lot.” – Steve D (Feb. 2023) – 0.5 out of 5 stars.

As you can see, Romy & Michele has garnered a variety of opinions. Some find the film’s humor endearing, while others find it a bit over the top. But no matter where you fall on the spectrum, it’s clear that the film has earned its place in pop culture history.

Our Rating:

How do we rate Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion?

We give it a solid 55 on a scale of 1-100. While it’s not the best movie to come out of the 90s, it’s still a fun watch that will bring some laughs here and there. The chemistry between the two leads, as well as the film’s quirky humor, makes it worth checking out for fans of 90s comedies. It’s definitely a lighthearted film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and sometimes that’s exactly what we need.

Official Hella 90s Rating:

For our official Hella 90s rating, we’d say Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion is an iconic 90s film that captures the essence of the decade’s comedic style. It’s filled with colorful fashion, memorable one-liners, and a dose of quirky charm that makes it stand out as one of the era’s cult classics.

Conclusion:

Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion is more than just a comedy about two women trying to impress their high school classmates; it’s a reflection on the pressures of societal expectations and the importance of embracing who you are. With hilarious moments, a memorable soundtrack, and a timeless message about self-acceptance, the film continues to resonate with audiences more than 25 years after its release. Whether you’re revisiting it or watching it for the first time, Romy & Michele is a must-see for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider or struggled to fit into a box. To learn more about our personal opinions and ratings, be sure to listen to the full episode!

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