Evan Rachel Wood, at the sweet age of 17, sure is staying off the beaten track in her short career. While most actresses her age are doing generic romantic comedies, Wood is choosing much darker and unique films. She landed on everyone's radar with the very-good "Thirteen," where many thought she should have been nominated for an Oscar, and is now the star of "Pretty Persuasion," an even darker and more disturbing film.

"Pretty Persuasion" follows the life of Kimberly Joyce (Wood), a 15-year old high school student who wants one thing in life: to become an actress. As there are thousands of girls just like her vying to get screen time, she decides to try a different approach: accuse her teacher (Ron Livingston) of having sex with her, get on the news by seducing the local lesbian newswoman (Jane Krakowski) and trick her friends into collaborating with her.

"Pretty Persuasion" goes out of its way to be racist, sexist and politically incorrect in every way, and if you like that kind of thing - like I do - then you probably will like "Pretty Persuasion." It doesn't always hit the mark, but the great cast and sharp screenplay cover up the flaws quite easily.

The movie also boasts a fun and rather mean "twist" ending, which I also found to be quite enjoyable.

"Pretty Persuasion" isn't for everyone, but if you're sick of political correctness, then you know what you have to do.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.