I'm not sure why this film was selected as a special 'Members' Reward' screening for the London Film Festival, as it is very, very American -- probably much funnier for those familiar with the culture represented. As it was, the buzz among the audience after the end of the show was not enthusiastic.
For my own part, I'm afraid comedies of social embarrassment make me acutely uncomfortable, and I dislike even more situations in which pretentious, arrogant, ignorant people make fools of themselves by exposing themselves in public: the argument where one girl insists that Xavier must be spelt with a 'zee' (and then her queen-bee friend overrides her with an even more pretentiously ignorant explanation) is a prime example of what really raised my hackles in this film. It's just not the sort of thing I like at all; I don't think there's a sympathetic character left by the end, and meanwhile we're supposed to be spending our time laughing at these cliques and freaks sneering at each other. I prefer my films more sweet-natured than this.
Because I was cringing so much I felt that the picture also went on far too long; views of those who were enjoying it may vary.
For my own part, I'm afraid comedies of social embarrassment make me acutely uncomfortable, and I dislike even more situations in which pretentious, arrogant, ignorant people make fools of themselves by exposing themselves in public: the argument where one girl insists that Xavier must be spelt with a 'zee' (and then her queen-bee friend overrides her with an even more pretentiously ignorant explanation) is a prime example of what really raised my hackles in this film. It's just not the sort of thing I like at all; I don't think there's a sympathetic character left by the end, and meanwhile we're supposed to be spending our time laughing at these cliques and freaks sneering at each other. I prefer my films more sweet-natured than this.
Because I was cringing so much I felt that the picture also went on far too long; views of those who were enjoying it may vary.