Inexplicably this movie is one of my favorite of all time. It isn't drop dead hilarious, or particularly well acted. It even has some pretty stupid and condescending stereotypes and silly typecast characters (the nerds, jocks, little pest brother, hot-but-stupid cheerleaders) but what it does well....it does really well.
Essentially the angst of the main character, just wanting to fit in, be popular are pretty universal to most teenagers. I think everyone at times, feels like they are missing out on something, that the other crowd is having more fun than you. This gets played up to the extreme as Ronald Miller goes from being "totally geek, to totally chic" only to lose it all again in heartbreaking fashion.
The fine acting of a young Patrick Dempsey, and the gone too soon Amanda Petterson really make the movie for me as the chemistry is real and the awesome scenes together make me smile everytime I watch (which is nearing 20 viewings now)
Courtney Gains does an excellent job of being the neglected best friend who sees his friend descend into an unrecognizable jerk and the scenes involving their eventual loss of friendship are tough to watch.
It is not perfect, it shows it age a bit but having just watched it recently...I still love it.
Essentially the angst of the main character, just wanting to fit in, be popular are pretty universal to most teenagers. I think everyone at times, feels like they are missing out on something, that the other crowd is having more fun than you. This gets played up to the extreme as Ronald Miller goes from being "totally geek, to totally chic" only to lose it all again in heartbreaking fashion.
The fine acting of a young Patrick Dempsey, and the gone too soon Amanda Petterson really make the movie for me as the chemistry is real and the awesome scenes together make me smile everytime I watch (which is nearing 20 viewings now)
Courtney Gains does an excellent job of being the neglected best friend who sees his friend descend into an unrecognizable jerk and the scenes involving their eventual loss of friendship are tough to watch.
It is not perfect, it shows it age a bit but having just watched it recently...I still love it.