Tank Girl (1995)

I think my love of this film speaks more about my love of 90's riot grrl punk, queer culture, and musical numbers than it does about it's quality. Either the extremely silly tone works for you or it doesn't. I wavered back and forth between those two options until the aforementioned Cole Porter number, where it won me over completely.

But the movie would have swallowed itself in over-the-top stylistic choices if it weren't for Lori Petty's pitch perfect performance of the title role. This is a performance on the level of Depp's Jack Sparrow, where the level of commitment turns a potentially annoying and obnoxious character into an endearing and exciting one.

You also have some fun Sam Winston creatures, Malcolm McDowell chewing scenery as the evil capitalist villain Kesslee, and Naomi Watts having fun as Jet Girl, but they are mere Pips to Lori Petty's Gladys Knight of silliness.

This film has problems, but around the 30 minute mark I realized that Tank Girl hadn't worn the same outfit in ANY two scenes and I realized that I didn't care.

*I can't think of any character in film history that slides so effortlessly between gender and sexuality as Lori Petty's Tank Girl. Queer cinema fans, take note!

She still does a little acting but it looks like she's mostly returned to graphic design. She designs clothing with positive messages, which is perfectly in line with the kind of person I always assumed she was.