Amy Heckerling casts Jason Biggs in another teen comedy. [PG-13]
By: Jim Boyle
Oh no, another teen movie. Haven’t we had enough? Do we need another flick about a bunch of good-looking kids searching for fun and, perhaps, finding love at the same time? Wait a minute. Before buying that ticket to Pokemon 2000, consider the fact that Loser comes from the mind of Amy Heckerling, the same person who gave us Clueless and Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
While it does not measure up to pure satires such as Election and Rushmore, Loser certainly does not deserve to be grouped together with such drivel as Whatever it Takes, Down to You, and Drive Me Crazy. Heckerling has written and directed a charming romantic comedy, with a few flaws.
The movie follows small-town high school graduate Paul Tannek (Jason Biggs) as he goes off to college in New York City on a full scholarship. He arrives with the kind of naivete that would cause Felicity to roll her eyes. After being voted out of his dorm by his roommates, a trio of party-loving, class-cutting schemers, Paul shacks up in an animal shelter.
During one of his classes, he meets and becomes instantly attracted to Dora Diamond (Mena Suvari). She’s a college student caught in the limbo of having parents who make too much money for financial aid, but not enough to pay the tuition, causing her to find night jobs. Although she has the street-smarts to catch a performance of Cabaret for free, Dora is innocent enough to get romantically involved with one of her college professors. It is not a question of whether or not they will get together, but what happens along the way.
Heckerling has created two characters that truly develop into people to care about. Unfortunately, everybody else turns into clichés. Paul’s ex-roommates only care about hosting the next kegger. Dora’s teacher/lover, played drolly by Greg Kinnear, is so unbelievably condescending and manipulative that the choice between him and nice guy Paul becomes a no-brainer, thus erasing any chance for dramatic tension. The film also contains some amusing cameos from the likes of Steven Wright, Andy Dick and David Spade.
Mr. Biggs and Ms. Suvari do not exactly have scorching chemistry, but their scenes together represent the best parts of the movie. In particular, Mr. Biggs pulls off a performance that, when coupled with the memorable role in American Pie, suggests a successful comedic career in the early stages.
His character adapts to the hard-boiled climate of the big city. He doesn’t experience the complete turnaround that took place in She’s All That. Instead, he learns from his mistakes and grows a little wiser while keeping his good-guy qualities intact.
Meanwhile, Ms. Suvari portrays a likable woman with a good heart but tough skin. She gets annoyed at people who use cell phones but melts when somebody sends her flowers.
Loser has nothing new or incisive to offer about college or teenage life in general that couldn’t be found on the WB. Although the movie does not cause uncontrollable fits of laughter, it does leave you with a smile.
Rated PG-13 for drug use and mild sexual content.
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