Wise Girls(2002)

Starring Mariah Carey as Raychel,a badass waitress from Long Island, Wise Girls(2002) takes the diva back to her roots with a accent you will never forget. Alongside Carey is Mira Sorvino, best known for playing Romy in Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, a Sunday afternoon classic.

Sorvino switched up the gears as she plays Meg, an ex med student/waitress who moves to Long Island to be closer to her ill grandmother. After working in an Italian/American restaurant with Raychel and a close friend  Kate, Long Island seems comforting to a disturbed Meg. But after serving mobsters for months and receiving wads of cash for tips, Meg realises, this is not a normal Italian restaurant. Subsequent to getting her ass grabbed, and sweet talked in Italian by Frankie Santalino, the mobsters son, Meg's confidence grows as she is well liked by the locals, favoured even. However, after a drunken party with too much Grapa, Meg witnesses a murder she will never forget. After learning more than she should, Meg's life is at risk as she attempts to forget her troubles  and discovers secrets about her friends which could land them all in trouble.

A mildly depressing start, but Wise Girls does have a mobish drama element which will have you on the edge of your seat, especially with Meg as the main character who is practically vibrating throughout due to fear. The film contains the action and tension of a mob movie, with the attachment of female friendship, as the girls celebrate symbolic birthdays together, spending their tips on sparklers and birthday cake. It weirdly appeals to men and women, revealing the chauvinistic animalistic Italian culture to be just that but with honourable 'I scratch your back, you scratch my back' elements. With many surprises, and a heart beat like background theme, it spits on 'Glitter' as Carey redeems herself as being a viable Long Island ghetto queen. I'd highly recommend it if you are a Mariah Carey fan, but if you are not, a 6/10 is not bad. Kapeesh!