"I was really interested in the way this mirrors the inferiority a girl of 15 already feels. Vivian (played by Natasha Lyonne [Everyone Says I Love You]) is not all right with the world on the inside. But now that she's in Beverly Hills, she's also not right with the outside world."

The only female child in a single parent family, Vivian is as confused about her sexuality as she is uncomfortable with her new environment. Her father, played by Alan Arkin (The Heart is a Lonely Hunter) means well, but he is unequipped to deal with a blossoming adolescent girl. 

Although he can hardly afford it, he has moved his three children into a tiny apartment in the 90210 area because he believes that "furniture is temporary, education is forever." They are surrounded by oddball neighbours, one of whom, Eliot, played by Kevin Corrigan (Trees Lounge, Buffalo 66) becomes fascinated by Vivian, who is unsure whether to return his affections. Enter Rita, played by Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny) Vivian's wild older cousin, whose over-the-top femininity provides the perfect anti-role model for Vivian.

"Marisa was wonderful," says Lyonne of her academy award winning co-star. The scene where we do the 'vibrator dance' together was really amazing." Lyonne is also full of praise for the writer and director, "Tamara gave me the safety net to become totally vulnerable as Vivian. I am really nothing like the character – I have no naivete left and I'm a 32A." In preparing for the part, she sat around wearing huge prosthetic breasts and listening to Carole King. "Then I couldn't help but cry," she says. Alannah Weston