Alright, fellow tapeheads, let's rewind to that specific feeling: scanning the "New Releases" wall at Blockbuster, circa late 1999. Amidst the action flicks and burgeoning DVD section, you might have spotted a familiar, if slightly awkward, face peering out from a Paramount clamshell case. It’s Mary Katherine Gallagher, armpits poised for olfactory inspection, ready to trip, flail, and sniff her way into your VCR. Yes, we're talking about Molly Shannon's leap from Saturday Night Live recurring sketch weirdness to the big screen in Superstar.
Now, let's be honest. SNL movies were always a gamble back then, weren't they? For every Wayne's World, there was... well, let's just say not every character needed 90 minutes. But Superstar occupies a curious, endearing little space in that lineage. It’s unabashedly silly, deeply committed to its central character's painful awkwardness, and possesses a strange sweetness beneath the pratfalls and social Piranha-ism.
### Portrait of the Pariah as a Young Woman
At its heart, Superstar is the saga of Mary Katherine Gallagher (Molly Shannon, in a performance of sheer, fearless commitment), a Catholic school outcast whose crippling insecurity manifests in bizarre physical tics and an unshakeable dream: to achieve superstardom via the school talent show, thereby earning a kiss from the dreamy, aloof Sky Corrigan (Will Ferrell, nailing that effortless BMOC vibe even then). The plot is wafer-thin, essentially a series of episodic sketches strung together, following Mary Katherine’s disastrous attempts at navigating high school, dealing with the popular clique led by the perfectly named Evian (Elaine Hendrix, masterfully channeling peak 90s mean girl), and seeking guidance from her equally odd grandmother (played with gusto by Glynis Johns).
What elevates it beyond just an extended sketch is Shannon's total immersion. She is Mary Katherine. The nervous energy, the sudden bursts of manic confidence followed by instant regret, the way she throws her body into every awkward encounter – it's a masterclass in physical comedy rooted in deep character insecurity. You might cringe, you might laugh, you might even feel a pang of recognition for those high school feelings of not fitting in. Shannon never winks at the audience; she plays it completely straight, which makes the absurdity land even harder.
### That Kids in the Hall Flavor
A key ingredient here, often overlooked, is the director: Bruce McCulloch. Yes, that Bruce McCulloch, one of the comedic geniuses behind the legendary Canadian troupe The Kids in the Hall. You can feel his fingerprints all over this. There's a slightly surreal, off-kilter sensibility to the humor that aligns perfectly with KITH's brand. Think of the heightened reality, the willingness to lean into the bizarre (Jesus appearing to Sky Corrigan? Why not!). McCulloch, who also pops up in a small role, brings a different rhythm than your standard studio comedy director, allowing the strangeness to breathe. It's worth noting that another KITH alum, Mark McKinney, also appears as the long-suffering Principal Durkin, adding another layer of that specific comedic DNA.
The film wasn't exactly a critical darling upon release – landing with a thud critically (hovering around 34% on Rotten Tomatoes back then) but managing to double its modest $14 million budget at the box office, pulling in just over $30 million worldwide. It found its audience, primarily those already invested in the character from SNL or folks who appreciated its unique brand of heartfelt weirdness. Finding this tape felt like discovering a kindred spirit for anyone who ever felt like they were performing their awkwardness for an invisible audience.
### Perfectly Preserved Awkwardness
Watching Superstar today is like opening a time capsule of late 90s high school comedy. The fashion, the soundtrack choices (that glorious use of Cutting Crew's "(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight"), the specific anxieties – it’s all perfectly preserved. While it lacks the pyrotechnics or intricate stunt work we often celebrate here at VHS Heaven, the "practical effect" is Molly Shannon herself. Her willingness to commit to the physical comedy – crashing into furniture, the infamous tree make-out session, the spastic dance routines – feels raw and real in a way that CGI-assisted slapstick often misses. Remember how those talent show performances felt both hilarious and excruciatingly embarrassing? That's the magic.
It's interesting to learn that the film was shot primarily in Toronto, Canada, skillfully disguised as suburban Illinois. It gives the film that slightly generic, could-be-anywhere feel that actually enhances the universality of Mary Katherine’s outsider experience. Produced under the watchful eye of SNL head honcho Lorne Michaels, it carries that specific show's energy, for better or worse depending on your taste.
### The Verdict
Superstar isn't high art, and it certainly won't convert anyone who found Mary Katherine Gallagher irritating on television. But if you have a soft spot for underdog stories, fearless comedic performances, and that particular strain of late 90s absurdity filtered through a Kids in the Hall lens, it’s a surprisingly durable watch. Molly Shannon gives everything she has, Will Ferrell shows early signs of his cinematic charm, and Bruce McCulloch directs with a sympathetic, quirky touch.
Rating: 6.5 / 10
Justification: The rating reflects the film's undeniable charm and Shannon's tour-de-force performance, balanced against the thin plot and humor that, while often hilarious, can feel repetitive or grating depending on your tolerance for extreme awkwardness. It's a solid SNL adaptation, better than some, not quite reaching the heights of others, but deserving of recognition for its unique heart.
Final Thought: It may not have achieved actual superstardom, but like a well-worn VHS tape, Superstar offers a fuzzy, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt glimpse back at a time when comedy could be painfully awkward and utterly fearless. Sometimes, you just gotta hike up those plaid skirt hems and go for it.