Sometimes when you open up to people, you let the bad in with the good.
I'm not trying to fool anyone here by attempting to make an unironic argument for why this film is any semblance of amazing because it isn't. This isn't the sexy, sleek kale shake. Nor is it Nonna Marie's elegant and decadent chocolate soufflé. This is the goddamned beautiful, golden twinkie staring straight at you from the pantry shelf at 3:00 AM or that week-old triple-chunk box brownie left sitting in the pan on your kitchen counter; you know you probably shouldn't have it but you do. And it is even more delicious than your hunger was telling you. It's still real rough around the edges, it definitely isn't of respected homemade quality and it may have some hairs in it. But while it may be all those things it's something that lures you back with some sort of infinite charm. Excuse my really long (and probably unnecessary food analogy) but it perfectly encapsulates how I feel about 1999's She's All That.
I just spent 95 min watching something I would have never given the light of day and yet here I am writing a positive review.
Generally, the acting is subpar but dont let the ass-awful title fool you. Freddie Prince Jr has some chops and Kevin Pollack literally steals every scene he's in (it may potentially be the best work he's ever done and I'm not throwing shade). The gorgeous Rachel Leigh Cook is unbelievable to be cast as the school nerd (she's too pretty even with glasses) and her acting isn't polished by any means, but she seems to adapt gravitas depending on who she shares a scene with. There are two scenes of note: "Am I a fucking bet?!" And Pollack's fatherly "Do it for you" scene that show this film has its worth. The film tries too hard with some college subplots and fails miserably but it's easily overlooked. Overall, I couldn't believe the number of faces my wife and I recognized as we made fun of the styles and trends, laughed a little and fell prey to the setting of the late 90s.
She's All That really doesn't hold much to 1999's other coming of age hit 10 Things I Hate About You (that also has a major bet as its plot device) as the acting, directing and writing are all better in spades, but once again, there's that silly iresistable charm I keep referring to.
Can any respectable dude not crush on RLC after watching this? Or laugh their ass off at Matthew Lillard's actually amazing self-degrading comedic turn? Or Freddie Prinze Jr doing an arthouse segment with a hackysack? Or maybe it's a naked FPJ tossing a volleyball as his only cover to the girl he loves? How about hearing "whatev" or "wigged out" used in serious conversation?
I suppose I can't convince everyone about it's charm but goddamn if you wont ever catch me sneaking a Twinkie at 3:00 AM.
I'm not trying to fool anyone here by attempting to make an unironic argument for why this film is any semblance of amazing because it isn't. This isn't the sexy, sleek kale shake. Nor is it Nonna Marie's elegant and decadent chocolate soufflé. This is the goddamned beautiful, golden twinkie staring straight at you from the pantry shelf at 3:00 AM or that week-old triple-chunk box brownie left sitting in the pan on your kitchen counter; you know you probably shouldn't have it but you do. And it is even more delicious than your hunger was telling you. It's still real rough around the edges, it definitely isn't of respected homemade quality and it may have some hairs in it. But while it may be all those things it's something that lures you back with some sort of infinite charm. Excuse my really long (and probably unnecessary food analogy) but it perfectly encapsulates how I feel about 1999's She's All That.
I just spent 95 min watching something I would have never given the light of day and yet here I am writing a positive review.
Generally, the acting is subpar but dont let the ass-awful title fool you. Freddie Prince Jr has some chops and Kevin Pollack literally steals every scene he's in (it may potentially be the best work he's ever done and I'm not throwing shade). The gorgeous Rachel Leigh Cook is unbelievable to be cast as the school nerd (she's too pretty even with glasses) and her acting isn't polished by any means, but she seems to adapt gravitas depending on who she shares a scene with. There are two scenes of note: "Am I a fucking bet?!" And Pollack's fatherly "Do it for you" scene that show this film has its worth. The film tries too hard with some college subplots and fails miserably but it's easily overlooked. Overall, I couldn't believe the number of faces my wife and I recognized as we made fun of the styles and trends, laughed a little and fell prey to the setting of the late 90s.
She's All That really doesn't hold much to 1999's other coming of age hit 10 Things I Hate About You (that also has a major bet as its plot device) as the acting, directing and writing are all better in spades, but once again, there's that silly iresistable charm I keep referring to.
Can any respectable dude not crush on RLC after watching this? Or laugh their ass off at Matthew Lillard's actually amazing self-degrading comedic turn? Or Freddie Prinze Jr doing an arthouse segment with a hackysack? Or maybe it's a naked FPJ tossing a volleyball as his only cover to the girl he loves? How about hearing "whatev" or "wigged out" used in serious conversation?
I suppose I can't convince everyone about it's charm but goddamn if you wont ever catch me sneaking a Twinkie at 3:00 AM.