Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Starry Eyes’

Written by Scott Edwards 

​How far would you go to become famous? This is a question I am sure many people have asked themselves over the years, since there always seems to be the urge in everyone to be in front of the camera. I even wanted to be an actor for a short time in my life but seeing what some of the elite have been able to do, I have left that dream in the wayside. But it is not always about the talent you have inside of you, but rather, what you are willing to do to get that ever elusive first starring role. If it is placed in front of you at a cost, something that you would not normally do, would you be able to bring yourself to give up on your moral values if it means fame and fortune for you in the future?

Sarah has been trying for some time to get into the acting game, attending classes and going to auditions in her time away from her real job; being a waitress in a potato shack. Nothing has clicked for her, but she is still keeping at it. After her latest audition, Sarah is displeased with her performance since she could not seem to remember her lines and goes home to freak out, but she is not left alone for very long as her roommate Tracy wants to get her mind off of things and takes her out to a party. But before leaving, Sarah spies a listing on the web for an audition for an old popular studio that is casting their next production, Silver Scream. Submitting her application, Sarah heads out to the party and lets her cares disappear for a couple hours.

This feeling does not last long as she is picked on by everyone at the party and she forces herself to leave without saying an unkind word. During her walk home, she gets word from the studio that she has been accepted to audition. Preparing like no other, she is ready to shine for the casting agents, but when she is not able to gauge what they thought of her, she runs to the bathroom and throws a fit. When the casting director comes in and sees this, she asks Sarah back into the room and wants to see the fit being thrown in front of her very eyes. Reluctant, Sarah goes through with it and the agents seem to be impressed with her emotions, but still give her the generic line of calling her back. 

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​Getting a second call back for the part, Sarah has to bare it all for the agents and show how much passion she hides inside. Not ever letting loose like this before, she has a good feeling about what is going to come next and quits her job and banks on getting the role. Being invited to the producer’s office, Sarah knows that she has the part, but he has something else in mind before making her a star. Not willing to give up on her morals, Sarah storms out of the lewd venture and joins her friends once again. Finding out that one of the girls has replaced her in a movie the group was going to shoot and seeing that she is sleeping with the director, Sarah’s mind changes and she knows what it will take to make her dreams come true… but at what cost?

Starry Eyes follows Sarah as she is trying to make a name for herself in the acting game. Having struck out so many times before, she has finally found a horror movie that she can sink her teeth into and wants the role. Finding out what it takes to be famous, especially with the studio, leaves a bad taste in her mouth and her stomach turning. But she desires the fame and wants to get away from her so called friends as they all make fun of her and her choices in life. Talking the plunge, Sarah becomes very ill and needs help from someone, but the only people that are willing to give her advice are the ones from the studio. Needing to trust what they say, Sarah joins in on a pact that will change her life forever, but are the costs worth the rewards as she will have to leave her comfort zone once again to become the face of the movie.

This movie almost left me speechless when watching what poor Sarah has to go through and that is probably why I like this movie so much. Knowing that there are things that actors and actresses have to do to appease the studios, I would hope that they never have to go this far. Watching as Sarah transforms into her new self is just an amazing journey and I kind of wish there was more of that here. Her friends never seem to lay off of her and even though they have a place in their hearts for her, they will never let her feel like a part of the group, much less like a person. Getting pushed over the edge is one thing but making a pact to become something greater than one’s true self is something completely different. Stay Scared!

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