37 reviews
This is not your typical movie about cheating. It had much more to offer. These four kids cheat their way through high school, but the ways they do it are not farfetched like some other movies. Very funny movie. Watching this movie takes me back to when i was in high school. Plus Fulton from the Mighty Ducks is in it, but he has blonde hair.
Rating: Eight Thumbs Up
Rating: Eight Thumbs Up
- MrTommyMazur
- Aug 18, 2003
- Permalink
I like teen movies, and after having watch most of it, i hate to say that i found this movie to be quite slow and boring.
The movie is pretty OK but somehow I find it to be one of the most boring teen movie I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong - there is some scene that is good and very funny but most of the time it is too slow. The casting and acting of all the actors are good and pretty convincing which make this movie watch able and somewhat enjoyable.
There are load of movies about 'cheating'and this is one of them. If you want to watch i would rather advised you to watch "Cheaters - Drama" and if "comedy - The Perfect Score"
Rating:6/10
The movie is pretty OK but somehow I find it to be one of the most boring teen movie I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong - there is some scene that is good and very funny but most of the time it is too slow. The casting and acting of all the actors are good and pretty convincing which make this movie watch able and somewhat enjoyable.
There are load of movies about 'cheating'and this is one of them. If you want to watch i would rather advised you to watch "Cheaters - Drama" and if "comedy - The Perfect Score"
Rating:6/10
- Mr_Sensitive
- Jan 8, 2005
- Permalink
- morrison-dylan-fan
- Jun 15, 2010
- Permalink
I first heard about this movie way back in May of 2001 when it was scheduled to get a theatrical release under the title of CHEATERS. The release date was changed and then changed again. A year passed by and for a while, I thought this movie would never see the light of day. Then earlier this month I finally saw the movie [after being retitled CHEATS] when it premiered on Cinemax. I loved every moment of the movie. It combines a perfect balance of comedy and drama that is hard to find in movies these days. The plot concerns four high school students, Handsome [Trevor Fehrman], Sammy [Elden Henson], Victor [Matthew Lawrence], and Applebee [Martin Starr] who cheat their way through school until one day they slip up and as their last year comes to a close, so does their friendship. To give away anymore about the plot would be wrong, but the movie is more about its characters than its plot. All four of the main characters are fully developed and each one of them has characteristics that make them the most likeable group of characters I've seen in a movie in quite some time. I hope New Line Cinema releases this movie to video and DVD since a movie like this is bound to become a cult favorite. ****
- jellyneckr
- Nov 16, 2002
- Permalink
Totally un-funny "jokes" that fall flat, amateurish acting (with one or two exceptions), boring characters and dialogue that's, at best, mediocre. After watching this movie, one must wonder how on earth a producer could come across a project like this and think, "I MUST make this film." No wonder it couldn't get a theatrical release.
Thought I just might get a few laughs from this long drawn out film, but was sadly disappointed. This film is all about losers who spend most of their time trying to get a passing grade with out even trying to open a book or accomplish anything. The film also portrayed teachers and the principal, Mary Tyler Moore (Mrs. Stark),"Labor Pains",2000 as complete idiots. I know this was suppose to be a comedy, but it never made me laugh and I thought the entire film was a COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME! However, all the actors gave excellent performances and had the hard task of trying to make this film an enjoyable and entertaining FILM! Just plain studying and getting good grades for college is the only way to GO!
Cheats is one of those rare movies that actually captures what its like to be a teenager and not only a teenager, one with real problems. This movie is obviously a comedy and i found it truly hilarious, but the characters and their lives were real. The main character comes from a broken family and his father is a pervert, the other characters have their own personal struggles with acceptance, self confidence, and self value. Most of the movies and shows about high school focus 100% on relationships and getting drunk. This movie is on the level of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and thats a big deal. The movie has great young actors that play their roles the right way, and a great supporting role from Mary Tyler Moore. Overall this movie is one of my all time favorites and i am saddened that it gets continuously looked over.
- josh-simpson
- Jun 10, 2006
- Permalink
Andrew Gurland's "Cheats" is his fictionalized "true story" about four high school friends who maneuver to cheat on tests. The quartet are: supercilious school-hating Trevor Fehrman (as Handsome Davis), his likewise good-looking pal Matthew Lawrence (as Victor), their chubby school-hating chum Elden Henson (as Sammy), and crooked geekster Martin Starr (as Applebee). The adults include high-strung North Point principal Mary Tyler Moore (as Mrs. Stark) and pornography-loving father Griffin Dunne (as Mr. Davis). The high jinks begin with Mr. Fehrman and Mr. Lawrence supposedly urinating on a teacher's grade book. Put this one at the bottom of the pile; and, be thankful it doesn't go on anyone's permanent record.
*** Cheats (2002) Andrew Gurland ~ Trevor Fehrman, Matthew Lawrence, Elden Henson
*** Cheats (2002) Andrew Gurland ~ Trevor Fehrman, Matthew Lawrence, Elden Henson
- wes-connors
- Oct 4, 2008
- Permalink
This a brilliant little flick that I would recommend to anyone who has schemed his way through higher education. The movie has great performances from Joey Lawrence's brother and Handsom Davis, as they pull tricks and make crib cheats to get to the top. The end is epic and some of the quotes are just plain brilliance.
Definitely one of the better flicks I have seen about high school.
Definitely one of the better flicks I have seen about high school.
- nilayshah11
- Feb 18, 2003
- Permalink
I watched Cheats a few years ago with my friend. He hyped it up as a great funny film that is one of the best comedies ever. I think he was on crack or something. I just recently learned that this film was not released into theatres, I can understand why perfectly.
THe basic plot involves a group of guys who cheat on pretty much all of their assignments in school to get good grades. That is the main problem of this film is that the morals are all bad. There are other teen comedy films where students do bad things but it is most often stuff that does not take place at school. So I think that the concept of having a whole movie that basically has kids cheating on everything is pretty bad.
I did not like the characters in this film either. The main character guy is a completely smug arrogant idiot who is not a good protagonist. Actually I am not sure if you could say that there is a protagonist due to the fact that they all are cheating at school which is wrong. THe other supporting characters were not funny at all and basically the cast blows in this film.
This film has a bad message and even worse acting and characters. There are other teen films that are way better than this film. So you do not have to see this one and that is a good thing because I do not recommend this film at all.
THe basic plot involves a group of guys who cheat on pretty much all of their assignments in school to get good grades. That is the main problem of this film is that the morals are all bad. There are other teen comedy films where students do bad things but it is most often stuff that does not take place at school. So I think that the concept of having a whole movie that basically has kids cheating on everything is pretty bad.
I did not like the characters in this film either. The main character guy is a completely smug arrogant idiot who is not a good protagonist. Actually I am not sure if you could say that there is a protagonist due to the fact that they all are cheating at school which is wrong. THe other supporting characters were not funny at all and basically the cast blows in this film.
This film has a bad message and even worse acting and characters. There are other teen films that are way better than this film. So you do not have to see this one and that is a good thing because I do not recommend this film at all.
I caught this movie on HBO and it quickly became one of my favorites. The Handsome character is so likable and charming he can only be summed up with one phrase: "Dog porn?!?!?". Seriously though, whoever had this movie go straight to TV on USA Network has hopefully been fired. I'm glad it found new life on HBO where it can seriously be appreciated as one of the best high school movies I've ever seen. Perhaps second only to The Breakfast Club and Fast Times. If possible, I recommend taking a glance at your local rental facility to see if this title is available. It gave me a lot of ideas on how to make law school more enjoyable, but fear of the Bar committee made me think otherwise. See it soon.
I figure this to be an "alternate reality" teen flick...More precisely a Ferris Bueller type character as the leader of a cheat ring . Yeah, I know it's not meant to compared to Ferris Bueller, at least not in a "oranges-to-oranges" way, but it will none-the-less.
Bottom-line: It's galaxies away from even being even a minor classic. It is watchable, though only if you're not expecting very much. That said, the main character has some charm, but the premise wears thin because the writing just isn't clever. The movie just did not deliver enough laughs, twists, or tension to keep my interest.
To be honest I did continue watching...Watching with hopes to see if anything suddenly clicked. It didn't. So, stylish as it is, I wouldn't recommend this movie. BTW, it seems odd to see Mary Tyler Moore as the principal. She's truly miscast, I hope the paycheck was inordinately big.
Bottom-line: It's galaxies away from even being even a minor classic. It is watchable, though only if you're not expecting very much. That said, the main character has some charm, but the premise wears thin because the writing just isn't clever. The movie just did not deliver enough laughs, twists, or tension to keep my interest.
To be honest I did continue watching...Watching with hopes to see if anything suddenly clicked. It didn't. So, stylish as it is, I wouldn't recommend this movie. BTW, it seems odd to see Mary Tyler Moore as the principal. She's truly miscast, I hope the paycheck was inordinately big.
- AudioFileZ
- Jul 24, 2005
- Permalink
I usually love teen/high school genre flicks, but this film was really lacking in originality. The only premise this film has is four friends cheating their way through high school and the strain it puts on their friendship. There's just not enough depth in the story or the characters to keep the viewers attention for the full length of the film. The acting isn't all that bad although the actors don't really have much to work with as the dialog is tripe and cliché'... After watching this movie, one must wonder how on earth a producer could come across a project like this and think, "I MUST make this film." No wonder it couldn't get a theatrical release. Andrew Gurland is a hack, avoid or burn.
While watching this movie i realized that it was the best 85 minutes of my life! Not only does it portray the exact idea that every teenager has in his/her mind, but they actually DO go through w/ the plans! Each character is so different that i almost wish they were my friends! This movie can be called nothing other than a flipping masterpiece! I believe that if you haven't seen this movie, then you are surely being deprived of something beautiful. I loved how they totally played Mr. Harkin (the flaming, mean teacher) and how they dissed Mrs. Herman. Not to mention how they screwed over horny and greedy! Oh man! just writing my view on this movie makes me want to go watch it again! and i believe i will! please, if you haven't had the joy of watching this movie before, i advise that you rent it, sit down with your closest friends, make some popcorn and gaze at the television! then try to contact Andrew Gurland, thanking him for giving you the chance to witness the most miraculous thing you've ever seen!
all in all - This movie is absolutely the best in the world. I beg everyone to see see and i learn from it; whether it be new techniques or not to ever cheat! In my mind it is a perfect depiction of the teenager mind in school. I think that in everyone's school there is a Victor, Handsome, Applebee, and Sammy, and quite possibly even a Shapiro! This movie is hands down perfection!
all in all - This movie is absolutely the best in the world. I beg everyone to see see and i learn from it; whether it be new techniques or not to ever cheat! In my mind it is a perfect depiction of the teenager mind in school. I think that in everyone's school there is a Victor, Handsome, Applebee, and Sammy, and quite possibly even a Shapiro! This movie is hands down perfection!
So.. what can I tell you about this movie. If you cheated a lot in high school, you do recognize some cheattips...
This is the best thing i can tell you about this film!
If you like American-teen movies, maybe you also like it!
But i don't see this kind of movies as something funny.. sorry to say but if you are older then 10 years, i shouldn't advise you to watch this.
Because there is one shot with a couple of beautiful women (girls.. in this movie) i'll give it a rate of: 2!
so.. deal for yourself! good luck
This is the best thing i can tell you about this film!
If you like American-teen movies, maybe you also like it!
But i don't see this kind of movies as something funny.. sorry to say but if you are older then 10 years, i shouldn't advise you to watch this.
Because there is one shot with a couple of beautiful women (girls.. in this movie) i'll give it a rate of: 2!
so.. deal for yourself! good luck
- j-starmans
- Oct 22, 2006
- Permalink
The intro says its based on a true happening, if you want to believe that its your privilege. A fun movie to watch portraying the antics of high school students trying to finish their senior year, but addicted to cheating as the MO to get through. Some serious moments were okay but personality clashes as between characters Victor(Matthew Lawrence) and Applebee(Martin Starr)do not seem to fit the overall mood. The plot overall was good although somewhat predictable, with numerous subplots along the way to keep the interest up. Well worth the time to watch.
Just caught this film on Cinemax during a free preview weekend, and I liked it so much I came to IMDb to get a link to the DVD. I was pretty stunned to learn that not only is there no DVD, but according to the info here, the film never even got a theatrical release.
This is difficult to understand, because "Cheats" is one of the funniest high school movies I've ever seen, and is definitely one of the most realistic, in terms of its depiction of high school kids. Even stuff like "American Pie", which by comparison to the average high school movie seems laudably legit in its presentation of high schoolers, seems phony and staged compared to this film.
Perhaps Martin Starr (who, like the other actors, turns in a great performance here) carries a curse that would also explain the first-season cancellation of another very entertaining and realistic high school dramedy, TV series "Freaks and Geeks".
I suppose I'm not the _most_ impartial judge, since like the main characters in this film, I also attended a private high school and despite being very bright, couldn't stand studying or doing homework. I may have even (ulp) practiced my "wicked small" writing skills on one or two occasions. But despite my bias, I have to think just about anyone would enjoy this film (except perhaps hardcore disciplinarians who would object to the fact that the cheaters get away with much of their crime).
So catch "Cheats", if you get the chance. It's the funniest take on cheating (I especially enjoyed the cheaters' jargon, like "mis-sequenced", and "the sick cheat") since MST3K's send-up of Centron's 1952 "mental hygiene" short "Cheating" (from whence the quote in my Summary derives).
This is difficult to understand, because "Cheats" is one of the funniest high school movies I've ever seen, and is definitely one of the most realistic, in terms of its depiction of high school kids. Even stuff like "American Pie", which by comparison to the average high school movie seems laudably legit in its presentation of high schoolers, seems phony and staged compared to this film.
Perhaps Martin Starr (who, like the other actors, turns in a great performance here) carries a curse that would also explain the first-season cancellation of another very entertaining and realistic high school dramedy, TV series "Freaks and Geeks".
I suppose I'm not the _most_ impartial judge, since like the main characters in this film, I also attended a private high school and despite being very bright, couldn't stand studying or doing homework. I may have even (ulp) practiced my "wicked small" writing skills on one or two occasions. But despite my bias, I have to think just about anyone would enjoy this film (except perhaps hardcore disciplinarians who would object to the fact that the cheaters get away with much of their crime).
So catch "Cheats", if you get the chance. It's the funniest take on cheating (I especially enjoyed the cheaters' jargon, like "mis-sequenced", and "the sick cheat") since MST3K's send-up of Centron's 1952 "mental hygiene" short "Cheating" (from whence the quote in my Summary derives).
- Dan_Harkless
- Nov 29, 2002
- Permalink
This was one funny movie and very original. I am a High School teacher and I could not stop laughing. Certainly I have seen some of this kind of stuff firsthand. However, the rest of it is just madcap craziness. Great performances. Very fresh writing and directing. I highly recommend this film.
- Tiger_Mark
- Nov 24, 2002
- Permalink
I was lucky enough to catch this movie on Cinemax. What an outstanding movie! The cast is superb and the direction is excellent. The story is great and the dialogue and chemistry between characters is great as well. And check out this movie the next few weeks on Cinemax!!
- vertigo_14
- Sep 7, 2004
- Permalink
Man, this is on of best movies i've ever seen! I like the idea, a group of teenagers cheat at school! That's juz too cool for school. There are many styles and ways to cheat. I realize that cheating is an art too, i can learn the uniqueness of cheating, no jokes! Me and my friends tried one of the style, AND IT WORKS! well, honestly, not as smooth as in the movie but, it works! At least i got 9,3 for my algebra exam! Usually, i only get 7 for my algebra. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, it was soooooooo cool!
Okay, the point is, all stupid students out there (juz like me!), watch this movie, and your mark will suddenly and extremely increase!!!!! Believe me, i did my part...! ;-D
Okay, the point is, all stupid students out there (juz like me!), watch this movie, and your mark will suddenly and extremely increase!!!!! Believe me, i did my part...! ;-D
- zs_theclickfive
- May 11, 2006
- Permalink
Don't listen to all the other losers on this page who say it's and OK movie... it was KIND of funny... it WASN'T something you see everyday... BLAH! BLAH BLAH! LIES! LIES! LIES! ALL LIES! This movie was the funniest movie I have ever seen! Hilarious and a total must-see! Especially if you like hot young men named Trevor! Well, anyways... WATCH THE MOVIE! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
I was at a hotel, flipping through the channels when I landed on this. I thought at first it was that new movie, "Cheaters", but low and behold, it was something even better. This movie was so funny, I especially liked all of the ways they came up to cheat with. I showed the movie to one of my teachers, and even they thought the "Song" idea of cheating was rather genius! This movie was Grade A, and I recommend it to anyone.
I wasn't expecting anything special when I first decided to watch another film about high school teen shenanigans. Was I surprised because Cheats is rather funny and clever. The cast is just right, too. If I were an actor I wouldn't want to have to share a scene with Trevor Fehrman because he manages to steal every scene he's in. He's also very good in Clerks 2.
- dflynch215
- Apr 20, 2021
- Permalink