Pictures of Baby Jane Doe (1995) User Reviews

This one is only for the curious, die-hard Calista Flockhart fan

[sparker-4 · 4/10 · 8 July 1999]

How many times have you been burned when buying a music recording of a favorite artist, only to discover that it was released long before their quality work was produced and the act became well known? A lot of inferior product has been sold taking advantage of an artist's newfound popularity, and "Jane Doe" is a classic example.

Originally released in 1996 as "Pictures of Baby Jane Doe", this 1999 video release features Calista Flockhart, current media darling and star of TV's "Ally McBeal". She plays Jane, a wandering street urchin and sometimes junkie who meets Horace (Christopher Peditto), a part-time bartender in a transvestite bar. Their chance meeting immediately develops into a live-in relationship as unlikely as the rest of the movie.

There isn't much of a plot, other than to follow this pair as they go through a series of highly animated conversations, arguments, trysts, break-ups and reunions. A sub-plot follows them to the home of Jane's estranged father, which provides a bit of background information about her life, none of which is very engaging.

It's a very slow moving film, and when it is over the viewer is left asking what it was all about. The acting is well done, and for fans of Flockhart it's fun to see "Ally McBeal" curse, do hard drugs, and engage in mildly kinky sex scenes. (There is no nudity, but she looks as thin in this film as the tabloids are calling "dangerously anorexic" two to three years after this film was produced.)

I'd give it a (4) on IMDB's scale of (10). If you are a Flockhart fan (as I am) is was a fun curiosity, but there isn't much doubt as to why you didn't see it at your local multi-plex.

See Calista say the F-word

[Karma-15 · 5/10 · 26 June 1999]

Imagine Ally McBeal if she wasn't a lawyer and instead was a drug-addicted homeless prostitute, then you have Jane Doe. That might sound like a bad thing, but actually it isn't. Calista Flockhart plays Ally McBeal with a wide range of personality and she does the same with Jane Doe. Unfortunately, it's just not a good movie. Some of the dialogue is incredibly trite, and even Flockhart can't work around it. Still, it's worth seeing for Flockhart fans -- if nothing else for the shock value of seeing her curse up a storm at times.

Doh!

[*twitch* · 5/10 · 3 July 1999]

This film has a really good script, but the lack of interplay and chemistry between the couple (although there but not played up to its full potential)ultimately leaves you feeling less sympathetic than you would expect to be by the movie's end.

Nothing special...

[applecore · 10 June 2003]

I rented this movie with hopes that it would be an insightful portrayal of a young lady in struggle... however, the film turned out to be rather weak. I was falling asleep thirty minutes into the movie. Calista Flockhart's role seemed too exaggerated and unrealistic... I found her to be seriousloy irritating and could not sympathize with her. Some of the attempted "anguish" scenes were also silly (for instance, the writers discovery of Jane's syringe), probably due to the poor acting. The only things I liked about this movie were some of its artistic elements, for example, the morbid photoshoots of Jane Doe and the way certain scenes were shot. All in all, nothing memorable. 4/10

Waste of celluloid(tm)

[John9999 · 1/10 · 24 August 1999]

Flockhart's performance is very disappointing. It seems she is trying to make up for her lack of emotion by substituting obscenities. Why the R rating includes 'sexuality' is beyond me. There is no nudity or steamy love scenes. The plot is old and tired.

An obscure jem

[artsavage2001 · 10/10 · 9 September 2001]

Calista Flockhart as a junkie? Though Ally McBeal is one side of Flockhart, she shows many more colors in this low budget, but well made indie feature. Story and characters, though familiar, are authentic and well drawn by writer/director Paul Peditto. Horace (Christopher Peditto) is a struggling writer with a wry sense of humor and a dark poetic heart. Working as a bartendar in a transvestite nighclub, he meets Jane (Flockhart), a waif replete with black eye and bucketloads of sex appeal and charm. After hiring Jane to pose a model for a series of death scene recreations (which are hilariously effective!), Horace asks Jane to shack up with him in his cell-like transient hotel room. The two begin a rollercoaster relationship. But as they fall deeper and deeper in love, we soon learn that Jane has her own inner demons that take the two from New York's meat market district to the seedy backstreets and tacky casinos of Atlantic City, with Horace struggling to save Jane from her own self destructive habits. Flockhart and Peditto have a wonderful chemistry. The supporting characters are all drawn quickly but surely. The production values are also excellent, raising this film far above most of the low budget indie fare out there. Although flawed in some of its aspects, true romantics will find it effective and very moving.

Sucks you in

[Unicorn7583 · 3 May 2002]

This movie, although really more suitable for die-hard Calista fans than anyone else, has merit inasmuchas it sucks you in, and even though you sometimes get tired of the story, you feel you HAVE to see the end.

Calista's portrayal of Jane is so touching (even though her mouth needs a public health warning, she swears so much) that you immediately fall for the character and feel for her even though she's such a bitch at times.

An early promise of Calista's talent for playing a human contradiction in terms.

A good picture of why Flockhart was picked for "Ally"

[Toblerone · 8/10 · 19 March 2002]

Although the movie was panned by many, it offers a glimpse into the gradual downward spiral of a drug addict and her lover. In some ways this movie predicts scenes from 'Requiem for a Dream' with its less than glamorous portrayal of addiction and the life around it. What is most striking about the part is that it is an about face for fans of the sacharine "Ally McBeal" and shows that Flockhart, if a little over the top, could certainly be a bona fide film actress without the help of network television. This is brought further to bear in her part in "Midsummer Nights Dream" (see film list).

The movie itself is a nice change of pace and moves along well. Its very good on those days when you want to watch something a bit off the wall instead of the usual Hollywood blockbusted offering.

My Score: 8 out of 10

The first movie to make me cry

[aqua_swing · 9/10 · 30 April 2001]

I'm not one to rent movies that turn out that way.

I've been a longtime fan of Calista Flockhart's and heard that she had released some "not so popular" movies.

So I found (and later purchased) this movie entitled 'Jane Doe'.

Calista does a wonderful job of portraying Jane Doe, a girl who is out on her own, stumbling through life without a care. When she walks into a transvestite bar and aids the "women" on how to cover up black eyes, it's perfectly done. (although i'd never thought i'd hear Calista's first lines as "What the f*** do you have to do to get a drink in this place?")

Jane Doe is the sweetest little girl like figure i've seen in any movie that I've watched. But when she gets hooked on a drug, the sweet turns to sour.

I don't want to divulge much into the movie, because I can get carried away, but like I said in the title, it's "The first movie to make me cry".

Rent it, buy it.. Watch it with a good close friend.

Mediocre indie

[Adam E · 27 September 1999]

Its interesting to see where Calista Flockhart started out at. She gives a realistic performance, but unless you're a die-hard fan, there's nothing special in this slow, weak film. Christopher Peddito stands out as Horace, a young writer who meets up with the street-wise Flockhart and soon falls madly in love with her. Despite her violent mood swings, he tries to make her feel well and she becomes an inspiration to his writing. No real surprises here. The direction of the film is good, with some interesting visuals and camerawork. The main problem lies in the development of Flockhart; while she plays her part great, it's impossible to care for her when they want you to feel bad for her since she spends most of the movie whining and shouting at the people around her. Things feel really dragged out and pointless sub-plots don't add to anything. "Jane Doe" was interesting to see Flockhart, but otherwise, is a lousy film that you can find as a TV-movie of the week.

Very Beautiful, Amazing Movie. Get past the "Cheese"...

[alicethegreat-59826 · 10/10 · 10 November 2017]

First, I was recently talking about how I've been on a 90's drama kick, and this movie was on the list. Right off the bat the 90's nostalgia drew me in. But it wasn't long before I realized this movie was real. Artistic in areas (a.k.a. could be considered "cheesy" by today's standards...) but my God if you've ever been in a tumultuous relationship... this movie seems as if it was written straight from someone who lived this very situation. It was a beautiful movie. Brilliant. Thank you.

Ugh! Watch Ally McBeal Reruns Instead!

[BrettC · 31 March 2000]

Calista Flockhart is an interesting actress, but she can't carry this weak piece of film. It's too long on angst, and short on plot. It looks slapped together, and it has no hook at all. Nice to see Calista out of her Ally McBeal persona, but you wish for more.

i highly recommend it

[allybabe · 20 November 1999]

I am a die hard Calista fan, so of course I adored this movie.Flockhart plays a troubled young woman who meets a "starving artist" so to speak. He starts to fall in love with her despite all of her flaws. I would recommend this movie.