BOYS AND GIRLS
US, 2000, 94 minutes, Colour.
Freddy Prinze Jr, Claire Forlani, Jason Biggs, Amanda Detmar, Alyson Hannigan.
Directed by Robert Iscove.
Boys and Girls is a young adult comedy, 1990s style. It begins with two children who encounter one another on a plane, she very superior, he very awkward. By chance, they encounter each other when they go to college, mellow about their differences, begin to be friends, confiding in each other, especially about relationships. He is preoccupied with science, she about her love affairs.
There are some amusing episodes in which each of them has relationships, he developing from a shy bespectacled type to more outgoing, she mellowing. When it is almost too late, they realise that they love each other – and happily ever after.
Freddy Prinze Junior is he, Claire Forlani is she. The director, Robert is scope, is known for She’s All That, also with Freddie Prinze.
1. A popular film for teenagers and young adults? Characters, identity, relationships, love, denial, sex, finding one’s true partner?
2. The locations, Los Angeles, San Francisco, the Berkely University campus, the landmarks of San Francisco, the golden gate bridge? Filmed during classes on the campus and with actual students in the background?
3. The title, boys and girls in general, differences, similarities, relationships?
4. The only on the plane, Ryan, Prem, prim, exacting in language with the flight attendant? Impatient on leaving, Jennifer and her sitting next to him, his critical remarks, the interactions between the two, her liveliness, criticisms of him, talking about her period and his reaction?
5. The transition to 4 years later, the football game, Ryan as the mascot, his head being docked off, the encounter with Jennifer? The clashes again, each calling the other dumb?
6. Berkely, the campus, Ryan and his relationship with Betty, long distance, Jennifer walking by? The later breakup of Ryan and Betty?
7. Ryan, Hunter in the chest, getting out, his attitude towards life, their sharing the room, conversations, discussions about relationships? Hunter and his real name, Steve? His lack of success with girls? Inept, saying the wrong thing, going to the dancing class…?
8. Jennifer, who relationships, on and off, sexual, Ryan and his reaction? Her continually confiding in him? Their friendship? Jennifer and Amy, the discussions, Amy on the kiss, her reaction, Amy and her psychologist and talking about Jennifer?
9. Studies, life in Berkely, dates, going out, clubs, dancing?
10. Ryan, serious, spectacles, his work and engineering, study? Gradually mellowing with relationships and learning about himself? Yet proper? In love with Jennifer, yet both of them denying it, is always backing down? Coming to Jennifer’s rescue, pretending that he was her brother, the mother was sick and Jennifer getting out of the date?
11. Jennifer, the passing of the years, studies, her graduation? The difficulties with relationships, with Michael and the band, being devastated, the later friends, at the table with Ryan, Amy and Steve, his outrageous remarks? Jennifer and her tattooed friend?
12. Looking at the golden gate, the discussions, matters, ease with each other, going for walks? The eventual night together? The aftermath? Who wanting to deny it? Right going along with her? The discussions, are going to Italy, his going back home?
13. In the car taxi, the executive and her good advice, Jennifer to getting out, trying to track down Ryan, Steve giving her the information, going to the plane, they’re talking from the different seats, the flight attendant and exasperation, eventually sitting together and the happy ending?
14. The character of Steve, gawky, proud of himself, not relating, finally connecting with Amy? Amy and her relationships, breaking up with Ryan, her support of Jennifer?
15. A film of the 1990s, on the verge of the 21st century? Attitudes of young people torch relationships, sexuality, casual and permissive, long-term commitment?
