Rachel Leigh Cook, Tara Reid, and Rosario Dawson, stars of the movie Josie and the Pussycats, had a nostalgic virtual reunion in honor of the film's 20th anniversary. The 2001 musical comedy was inspired by the Archie Comics 1960s series and Hanna-Barbera cartoon of the same name. It told the story of three small-town girl musicians, Josie (Cook), Melody (Reid), and Val (Dawson), making it big in the music industry. Amid the fame, they realized that they were only being used as pawns by their record label's big bosses.
It's a satire on the music and entertainment business mixed with lessons about sisterhood and embracing one's identity. Josie and the Pussycats is a time capsule in itself, full of pop culture influences of the early 2000s: boppy songs, low-waist jeans, boy bands, and girl groups. Two decades since its release, it's become a classic teen movie with a strong cult following. Now in their 40s, the actresses were rising teen stars at the start of their careers when Josie and the Pussycats first hit the theaters.
For the movie's 20th anniversary, the original cast members held a mini-reunion over Zoom, shared by UniversalPics. Cook, Reid, and Dawson reminisced about their memorable experiences while shooting the film, including that iconic trampoline scene. The three actresses also shared how the film was way ahead of its time. They couldn't believe how, 20 years on, the movie has remained relevant and gotten more attention. According to Reid, she had "the best time ever" making the film with her co-stars. "This is one of the only movies that I've done that I can actually happily watch," Cook agreed. Watch the cast's virtual reunion below:
It's interesting to note that during its initial release, Josie and the Pussycats bombed in the box office. It grossed a mere $14.9 million against its $22-39 million budget. Critics also panned the film despite its talented cast and visual appeal. Perhaps it was because it came after the massively successful Spice World, which was based on a real girl group, or maybe, as Dawson said, the early aughts audiences weren't ready to digest the movie's satirical nature.
With the onslaught of revivals, Josie and the Pussycats is experiencing a belated boom. The film has been dubbed as one of the most underrated films, and its impact is now being appreciated. More than just a coming-of-age story, Josie and the Pussycats celebrates women empowerment and diversity, two issues that still have a place in today's generation.
Source: UniversalPics