If Looks Could Kill (film)

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If Looks Could Kill - Teen Agent
Directed by William Dear
Produced by Neil Meron
Craig Zadan
Written by Fred Dekker Story
Darren Star screenplay
Starring Richard Grieco
Linda Hunt
Roger Rees
Gabrielle Anwar
Roger Daltrey
Music by David Foster
Cinematography Douglas Milsome
Editing by John F. Link
Distributed by Warner Brothers
Release date(s) March 15, 1991
Running time 88 min.
Country United States
Language English
All Movie Guide profile
IMDb profile

Released in America as If Looks Could Kill and in the UK as Teen Agent this is an action, comedy film. This is the equilivent of a James Bond spoof.

[edit] Plot

Michael Corben (Richard Grieco) has only one more chance to obtain the credit needed for his high school graduation. Mrs. Grober (Robin Bartlett) and her French class are headed to Europe. All Michael needs to do is participate and he will get the credit. In the meantime, an operative (also named Michael Corben) is on his way to board the same plane. When the operative is killed, the high-school Michael Corben is mistaken for the operative, something that garners him first-class seating on the plane. British Intelligence also assumes Michael to be their operative, as the deceased Michael Corben had been in deep cover and nobody knew what he looked like. Corben's adventure continues as soon as he gets off the plane sending him into a mission of life and death, not only for himself but for his entire class.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Corben collects his Lotus and is soon crashed into by a blonde driving a white 1990 Nissan 300ZX. Irate, Michael tried to catch up to her, oblivious to the assassin driving behind him. Due to his manoeuvers, Michael is able to dispatch the assassin. Michael continues to pursue the blonde (whose name is Mariska) to the casino. There, he plays baccarat with Steranko and unwittingly doubles his money. Corben goes back to his hotel room, where he to be confronted by another assassin, Steranko's comely girlfriend. This time it is nerve that saves Corben's life.

After his hotel room is destroyed, Mariska takes him to her place to explain what is going on. Together they proceed to Steranko's chateau only to be captured by Ilsa Grunt in the process. Steranko has also captured Mrs. Grober and Michael's classmates as well, believing them to be a threat. Steranko offers to have dinner with Corben to have a chat. Corben's clumsiness causes him to drop a priceless plate that once belonged to Catherine the Great.

Thrown back in the cell, Corben uses his explosive chewing gum to explode the door from its hinges. From there, Mariska and Corben find their way to the gold foundary where the rest of the French class are being held - in a cage hovering over a large vat of liquid gold. (Steranko's mad plan for world domination also includes the production of coinage bearing his likeness)

Michael and Mariska kill off a few guards and freeze the liquid gold with liquid nitrogen. Upon setting Mrs. Grober and the class free, he declares to her: "Now, you are the French teacher!", and hands her an Uzi, which she uses against the bad guys with grim determination.

At the end of the movie, when Steranko and his henchmen are eliminated by British Intelligence, Mrs. Grober tells Michael, "You've got the credit!"

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Cast

  • Dominique Petin - Clerk #1
  • Macha Grenon - Clerk #2
  • Claude Gasse - Imperious Stewardess
  • Isabelle Truchon - 1st Class Stewardess
  • Gordon Masten - Ludwig Krupp
  • Phillip Spensley - Principal
  • Susan Dear - 1st Class Hostess
  • Armand Laroche - Doorman
  • Chip Chuipka - Gunman #1
  • Laurent Imbault - Croupier
  • David Francis - Englishman
  • Tedd Dillon - Imposter Driver
  • John Tench - Cell Guard
  • Bonfield Marcoux - Bus Driver
  • Jon Baggaley - Ian
  • William Dear - Bomb Tester
  • Paul Barbeau - French Club
  • Rob Bazos - French Club

[edit] External Links