DRIVE ME CRAZY
US, 1999, 91 minutes, Colour.
Melissa Joan Hart, Adrian Grenier, Stephen Collins, William Converse- Roberts, Faye Grant, Susan May Pratt, Ali Larter, Mark Webber.
Directed by John Shultz.
This is a team film, into the 1990s style – less raucous than the spring break comedies that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s and many of the college course comedies yet to come.
The plot is basic, a young woman is infatuated with high school jock who turns his attention to another girl. He decides to regain his attention by setting herself up with her neighbour with whom she has had a mixed history. the young woman is played by Melissa Joan Hart, Sabrina the witch in the television series and the young man is played by Adrian Grenier who was to have quite some success in the television series and the feature film, entourage.
Slight entertainment.
1. Pleasant high school story, romantic overtones, jealousies? From 1999 – a more 20th-century tone than 21st-century?
2. Utah, the town, homes, neighbours, the school, socials, classes, the media? The musical score?
3. Nicole’s story? Background, her mother, and Mr Hammond? Growing up next to the Hammonds? Attitudes towards Chase? When they were young? Growing up, growing away from each other? The social life, infatuation with Brad, the match, his falling on the cheerleader, his infatuation, her reaction? The decision to choose someone to make Brad jealous? Choosing Chase? The influence, hair, clothes, friends? Going out? Involving him with another group at school? Chase and his attraction to Dulcie? The ups and downs of the plan, the jealousies, the socials? Relying on Chase? Alicia, Nicole’s friendship with her, yet Alicia double timing her, flirting with Brad? And finally admitting the attraction to him?
4. Her relationship with her mother, her absent father, his visits, going out with him, bonding better with him?
5. Chase, next door, causing mischief, the practical jokes, his friends? The attraction to Dulcie? His father? His hair, clothes – his response to Nicole, memories of the past? Allowing himself to be changed, moving in different circles, parties, the reaction of his friends, their feeling left out?
6. Chase’s friends, media, skills, considered nerds, their being put down? Their reaction to Chase’s change, his manner, associations?
7. The buildup to the finale, Brad and his behaviour, Alicia, the prom queen? Nicole and her bringing Chase’s friend, scrubbed up? The nerd his friend and his finding a girlfriend? Nicole and her final realisations? And Chase?
