I don't know what I was expecting, but I think I got what I deserved. I shouldn't have been so stupid to fall into the trap.
I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER just rehashes every teen-movie stereotype we've seen since ANIMAL HOUSE, and not in a way that's at all fresh or funny. I could quibble about a lot of the little things: I could, for example, point out that a big opportunity was missed, if the heroine's parents were fans of heavy metal, to name her ALICE Cooper instead of Beth (especially since "School's Out" features so prominently on the soundtrack), though of course a movie called I LOVE YOU, ALICE COOPER would have thrown people off as to what it was really about.
That aside, what angered me most were the stereotypes, especially the "nerd" ones. I've always hated the very word "nerd": it's an ugly slur and even sounds ugly, and if you ask me it should be considered "the other n-word." But popular culture continues to condescend to intelligent, artistic and/or shy people, trying to weasel their way out of accusations of nerd-bashing with "C'mon, we're just joking" or "We're laughing WITH you, not at you." Bull. They are most definitely laughing AT us.
Actually, just about every teen character - and some of the adults, too - is a stereotype. There ARE a few bright points: it's refreshing for once to see a black character in a movie who's not tough or foul-mouthed or talks like Jar Jar Binks. And Beth Cooper herself is a LITTLE more developed as a character...but for a farce like this one, that's not saying much.
I can't understand why movies like this one are still being made in the 21st century. I thought this was a generation that prided itself on being (pardon my cynicism) really smug and smart-alecky, and too cool for the old Hollywood shtick. Well, movies like BETH COOPER are not cool at all. And I don't want to hear the "we're-cool-because-we're-doing-it-ironically" excuse, because that carries no credibility for me.
Really, the only reason to subject oneself to this movie is for the generous close-up shot it offers of Hayden Panettiere's cute porn-star panties. So I'll give this film a "2" for the panties and also because Panettiere as a whole is a joy to look at. But believe me: there is absolutely nothing else saving I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER from a "1" rating from me.
I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER just rehashes every teen-movie stereotype we've seen since ANIMAL HOUSE, and not in a way that's at all fresh or funny. I could quibble about a lot of the little things: I could, for example, point out that a big opportunity was missed, if the heroine's parents were fans of heavy metal, to name her ALICE Cooper instead of Beth (especially since "School's Out" features so prominently on the soundtrack), though of course a movie called I LOVE YOU, ALICE COOPER would have thrown people off as to what it was really about.
That aside, what angered me most were the stereotypes, especially the "nerd" ones. I've always hated the very word "nerd": it's an ugly slur and even sounds ugly, and if you ask me it should be considered "the other n-word." But popular culture continues to condescend to intelligent, artistic and/or shy people, trying to weasel their way out of accusations of nerd-bashing with "C'mon, we're just joking" or "We're laughing WITH you, not at you." Bull. They are most definitely laughing AT us.
Actually, just about every teen character - and some of the adults, too - is a stereotype. There ARE a few bright points: it's refreshing for once to see a black character in a movie who's not tough or foul-mouthed or talks like Jar Jar Binks. And Beth Cooper herself is a LITTLE more developed as a character...but for a farce like this one, that's not saying much.
I can't understand why movies like this one are still being made in the 21st century. I thought this was a generation that prided itself on being (pardon my cynicism) really smug and smart-alecky, and too cool for the old Hollywood shtick. Well, movies like BETH COOPER are not cool at all. And I don't want to hear the "we're-cool-because-we're-doing-it-ironically" excuse, because that carries no credibility for me.
Really, the only reason to subject oneself to this movie is for the generous close-up shot it offers of Hayden Panettiere's cute porn-star panties. So I'll give this film a "2" for the panties and also because Panettiere as a whole is a joy to look at. But believe me: there is absolutely nothing else saving I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER from a "1" rating from me.