At first glance, Can't Hardly Wait is just another teen flick, with cookie-cutter characters and an angst-ridden-but-not-quite soundtrack. Although it does fit the form of genre counterparts such as She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You, it comes off as a lovable underachiever, much like its lead character, Preston, played ably by Ethan Embry, the lovably diffident dreamer who's harbored a secret crush on the luscious Jennifer Love Hewitt for the past four years.
It turns out that Preston has written a letter — revised many times over — and plans to give it to Amanda Beckett (Hewitt) at the party on the night of high school graduation, since high school jock/neanderthal Mike Dexter (Peter Facinelli) has dumped her, in anticipation of a hedonistic summer spent on beaches and in strip clubs.
Along the ride with Preston is his friend Denise Fleming (Lauren Ambrose), an anti-social Janeane Garofalo character with a chip on her shoulder and a heart of gold.
While Preston labors on trying to deliver his letter to Amanda, which proves much harder than originally thought, Denise gets locked in the upstairs bathroom with a hilarious pre-Austin Powers Seth Green, playing the role of Kenny Fisher, an elementary-school sycophant who has transformed himself into a wigger with questionable street cred.
Meanwhile, the nerd (doesn't every high school have one?), William Lichter, played to the hilt by the talented Charlie Korsmo, is plotting revenge on Mike for 12 years of abuse. He ends up getting drunk, and raucous antics ensue.
This movie tries to be many things at once: comedy, romance, typical high-school movie. Sometimes it overstretches itself, leaving out details that would have extended its quality. For example, the final scene where Preston and Amanda fall in love seems strange, since virtually little to nothing is known about Amanda's feelings for Preston. Nothing is shown that would make Amanda's newfound affection for Preston seem more real. Even Preston's letter is never read.
Article comments
1 - visualsimplicity
Ooh, a review on a teen movie, I can't help but throw in my opinions because you make mention of one of my favorite movies, 10 Things I Hate About You. I for one believe this is the better of the 3 teen movies mentioned. It, unlike the other two, contained subtle clever humor which most people won't catch watching the first time through. Also, the chemistry between actors/actresses and their characters are heartwarmingly convincing. The love development is far more realistic than that of Can't Hardly Wait as you mentioned. Matter of fact, if I remember correctly, Hewitt's character didn't even know who Embry's character was, and to suddenly fall in love with him after discovering his love for her is a little thin. Another thing is 10 Things actually had a very profound scene where the father (often goofy except for this scene) discusses being a parent and having their children grow up. It's deep, much like many subtle things within the movie. Anyway, great review, but I recommend watching 10 Things over Can't Hardly Wait if one is looking to see a feel-good-teen movie about life and growing up.
2 - John Adams
Good points. But Jennifer Love-Hewitt is still waaaaaay hotter than, like, Julia Stiles. :)
3 - Phillip Winn
Dude - Julia Stiles is so much more the hottie than Jennifer "Love"! And I'm so too old to be posting comments like this!
4 - Adam
In the wake of September 11th, it is hard to imagine anything this enjoyably trite being made today.
The Real Cancun, anyone?