Too Young to Die? *** (1989, Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis, Michael Tucker, Michael O’Keefe) – Classic Movie Review 7512

Young Juliette Lewis and Brad Pitt show a lot of class and charisma in director Robert Markowitz’s shocking 1989 true-story drama. It is written by David Hill and George Rubino, based on a fact-based story by David Hill.

Lewis plays Amanda Sue Bradley, at 15 abused by her stepfather, abandoned by her mother, and with one failed marriage behind her, who falls prey to seductive hustler Billy Canton (Pitt), who introduces her to sex, drugs and prostitution.

A kindly army sergeant takes pity on her, but, when he is forced to break off their friendship because of her youth, Billy persuades her to take bloody revenge. High on drugs and booze, they take off on a killing spree. Amanda is arrested and tried as an adult for murder and faces the death penalty. Too Young to Die? Michael Tucker plays Amanda Sue Bradley’s lawyer trying to save her from the gas chamber.

Also in the cast are Michael O’Keefe, Alan Fudge, Emily Longstreth, Laurie O’Brien, Dean Abston, J Stephen Brady, Mark Davenport, Lew Hopson and Annabelle Weenick.

Too Young to Die? is directed by Robert Markowitz, runs 92 minutes, is made by Frank & Bob Films II, Von Zerneck Sertner Films and King Features, is released by NBC (US) and Odyssey Video (GB), is written by David Hill and George Rubino, based on a story by David Hill, is shot by Eric Van Haren Noman, is produced by Frank Von Serneck, Robert M Sertner, Julie Anne Weitz and Susan Weber-Gold, and is scored by Charles Bernstein.

Pitt (26) and Lewis (16) started dating while shooting the film in 1989. They worked together again in Kalifornia in 1993 when their relationship ended.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7512

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com