Rescue Me MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

In a small town in Nebraska, Frasier Sweeney (Stephen Dorff) is a high school senior and photographer for the school yearbook. He has a crush on cheerleader, Jenni Gaston (Ami Dolenz), and constantly focuses his camera on her. Jenni sees him as a publicity opportunity. When he accidently learns that Jenni is going to the river, he decides to photograph her skinny-dipping. Instead, he photographs an illegal tax stamp transaction made by Mac (Michael Dudikoff) with shady characters Kurt and Rowdy. When Jenni and her date arrive during the exchange, Jenni is kidnapped by Kurt (William Lucking) and Rowdy (Peter DeLuise). Frasier takes the law in his own hands to rescue Jenni. He seeks out Mac and blackmails him with the photos to force him to help him. Together they chase Kurt and Rowdy to Los Angeles. Along the way, Frasier learns more about life, love and trusting Mac. A mildly entertaining and occasionally humorous story, this "coming of age" film will appeal to young teens but older audiences will probably pass it by.

Although RESCUE ME has several good messages, it has unfortunate ones as well, and Frasier's conduct is less than admirable. He goes to the river in hopes of voyeuristic type photos. After Jenni is kidnapped, he keeps his photos and blackmails Mac rather than help the authorities. When he admits he has never been kissed, Mac takes him to a bar where a buxom girl in a low cut blouse gives Frasier his first kiss. Mac also takes Frasier to a brothel, where a young prostitute introduces him to sex and tells him Jenni will be grateful for this lesson. While the sex is implied, there is brief breast nudity seen from the side. Jenni often uses seductive looks and comments in her effort to escape. The film has some fighting and injuries, but is neither excessive nor graphic. Foul language and profanity are sprinkled liberally throughout, along with several s-words. Frasier lies to his mother, but later expresses his guilt about it. He tells Mac that becoming an adult is "choosing between things, none of them perfect." This film also chooses and comes up less than perfect.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Cannon Pictures, Inc., 8200 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211