Chicago Sun-Times - February 12, 2001

Pussycats don't pussyfoot around

by Cindy Pearlman

What's wrong pussycat? Whoa, whoa, whoa?

Yes, Rachael Leigh Cook, the young actress who plays Josie in the upcoming deep drama Josie and the Pussycats, says one thing really ruffles her fur. "It's not easy wearing pointy ears and a tail," she moans. "I want the average person who is reading this to pretend right this moment that they have that get-up on. Are you good with it? Do you feel a little silly?"

Me? Owwwww. But the get-up will be good for Cook as Josie, Tara Reid as Melody and Rosario Dawson as Val. Get ready for the world to be on their collective tails in April when this spring's ultralight "Charlie's Angels"-type flick is released.

For those who actually took the high road as kids, Josie and her pals are comic book characters turned 'toons who dress up in catsuits, rock and solve mysteries.

Or let the feline fatale tell it.

"It's a movie about a girl named Josie who loves her friends," says Cook. "She loves her music. She is also the motivator of the group. Josie says, 'Girls, we're going to go out and get a record deal.' Ten minutes later in the film, they have it." She adds, "It's all good fun."

And clean fun. Cook says that contrary to what some think, she doesn't slink around in a tight-fitting catsuit for the entire film. "No, I'm sorry about that," she says, adding, "Actually, I'm not sorry about that at all. I have no desire to run around in a leotard. But I can promise you the 'Pussycat' clothes are cool."