Gossip (2000)

Directed by: Davis Guggenheim | 90 minutes | drama, thriller | Actors: James Marsden, Lena Headey, Norman Reedus, Kate Hudson, Eric Bogosian, Edward James Olmos, Joshua Jackson

Roommates Derrick Webb (James Marsden), Cathy Jones (Lena Headey) and Travis (Norman Headey) have it all together: they’re young and attractive, live in a cool loft and dance every night in the hottest clubs. Their lives are basically one big, flashy music video. And that makes it a joy to watch them. When the three come into contact with Naomi Preston (Kate Hudson), ‘Gossip’ gets even tastier; what a sparkling lady Goldie Hawn’s daughter is.

Because of all that plastic fantasy stuff you would almost forget that the film is really meant to be a thriller. One that revolves around a vague academic investigation into the turnover rate of a gossip. The idea of ​​taking advantage of Naomi’s impeccable reputation comes from ladykiller Derrick. And he has his reasons for that. His motives are quite surprising. Just like the way his roommates, aka partners in crime, set things straight. Aided in this by a star of the television series Miami Vice: the once pock-marked Lt. Martin Castillo (Edward James Olmos), the boss of Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs.

On his way to the unexpected and delightfully improbable denouement, Davis Guggenheim lavishly sprinkles clichés on a director with television series such as ER, NYPD Blue and 24. There is a lot of tension between Derrick and Cathy. Of course, two of those beautiful people can’t just live under the same roof as platonic friends.

Obviously, they can’t help but end up on the kitchen table. It is also predictable that when Cathy dives into the books or slides behind the computer, she has glasses on her nose. After all, the first smart guy without glasses has yet to be born.

Despite such obvious obviousness, the film is not irritating. The actors – in particular Hudson and Ripley’s Game actress Headey – are too appealing and the settings too stimulating for that. ‘Gossip’ is an easily digestible, unpretentious film. It is certainly not a topper, but it is an ideal relaxation tool.