Rattaya Nimibutr
Staff Writer
Review
Can't Hardly Wait (***1/2 out of ***** stars) may seem like your typical teenagers-in-love opus: annoying alt-rock music and a cast that's been exposed to too much Noxzema. But after a string of save-the-Earth-or-we-will-all-die films (Deep Impact, the forthcoming Armageddon), this flick will give you a good laugh and let you socialize with a pretty real melange of some of today's generation of kids.
Set during a party the night of graduation, the film tracks a group of teenagers who explore new beginnings, finish tasks left undone and most of all, enjoy the longest night of their lives.
Jennifer Love Hewitt (Party of Five) portrays Amanda, the most popular girl in school who happens to be the dumpee in a four-year relationship with all-American football jock Mike (Peter Facinelli). Then comes along Preston Meyers (Ethan Embry), who's been in love with Amanda throughout high school. He has finally decided to confess his love. Puppy love, you can call it.
Also in for the fun are the nerds, or rather, future scientists, whose school embarrassments have led them to plan a scheme of sweet revenge. More hangers-on to the rat pack are Lauren Ambrose as Denise Fleming, who gets locked in a bathroom with hipster-wannabe Kenny Fisher, played by Seth Green.
The attitudes of these young adults are hilarious and moderately entertaining. If the plot does not meet the requirements of a feel-good movie, at least the cast and talent involved will. Practically every other teenage actor and actress in Tinseltown registers some screen time, from Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) as a yearbook-signing, obsessed blonde to Jerry O'Connell (Sliders, Scream 2) as a screwed-up college ex-jock. It's definitely a reunion party, but at least Leonardo DiCaprio didn't make an appearance.
Also appearing is Jenna Elfman (Dharma & Greg), brilliant as a stripper who offers some advice about fate. Her charismatic portrayal is heart-warming and admirable.
Hewitt and Embry, playing characters their own age, are charming and perfect for their roles. Also enjoyable to watch is Green as the pants-sagging, goggles-wearing little guy looking for a good time.
Can't Hardly Wait lets you in on today's generation. There is no leading role, no leading plot, simply a lot of little mishaps and problems that are cleverly put together.