"Death of a Cheerleader" recounts the true story of the murder of Kirsten Costas by Bernadette Protti, two students at Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, in 1984. Names of persons and places involved are changed in the movie. Orinda (Santa Mira) is an affluent, conservative suburb. Expectations for success and achievement are inordinately high, as expressed in a student assembly by the high school principal. Stacy (Kirsten Costas), played by Tori Spelling, is a popular cheerleader and athlete and leader of the Larks social sorority. Angela (Bernadette Protti), played by Kellie Martin, comes from a family of more normal economic means, is smart and likable, but is obsessed with being liked by Stacy. Angela doesn't fit in easily with the hyper-inflated expectations of the affluent environment around her, whereas Stacy thrives in it. Angela wants to be like Stacy even though Stacy tends to be cruel toward those she sees as below her social status. Angela is accepted into the Larks sorority but is still rejected by Stacy. When Angela dupes Stacy into going with her to a party one night, she confesses her semi-worship of Stacy, who calls her "pathetic" and "weird". Angela flips out and stabs Stacy to death. It takes the FBI six months to catch Angela, and then there is a highly publicized trial. What the viewer must decide is if this murder is the act of one sick girl or is caused by the distorted values of an affluent community. After all, affluence and its values are the exception, not the norm.
Review of Death of A Cheerleader
