SHE’S ALL THAT

US, 1999, 96 minutes, Colour.
Freddie Prinze Jnr, Rachel Leigh Cook, Matthew Lillard, Paul Walker, Jodi Lyn O’ Keefe, Kevin Pollak, Kieran Culkin, Elden Henson, Tim Matheson, Anna Paquin, Gabrielle Union, Dule Hill, Clea Duvall, Alexis Arquette, Patricia Charbonneau.
Directed by Robert Iscove.

She’s All That is a pleasant variation on some of the more crass teen movies of the 1990s, culminating in the American Pie series. However, this is a somewhat idealised portrait of teenagers in high school. There are all the expected stereotypes, the sportsman hero, the caddish best friend, the plain Jane who only needs to take off her glasses to become beautiful, the prom queen who is malicious, the brothers and sisters in the family… They are all given the expected treatment – but with the light romantic touch rather than with any irony or cynicism. Freddie Prinze Jnr made a number of films in this vein including Boys and Girls. He was to go on to the Scoobie Doo films. Rachel Leigh Cook is a far more serious actress and appeared in a whole range of films including Josie and the Pussycats and Antitrust. Matthew Lillard, also destined for Scoobie Doo, has played the knockabout fool role in many films. Paul Walker, who portrays the caddish character, in fact went on to star roles in The Skulls, Too Fast Too Furious, Time Line. There is a strong supporting cast with Kevin Pollak as the heroine’s father, Kieran Culkin as her brother, Anna Paquin as the plain Jane’s sister. There are a number of other cast members who went on to stronger roles including Gabrielle Union and Dule Hill (The West Wing).

1. The popularity of this kind of teen movie? The more wholesome kind of romance compared with the crass comedies?

2. The LA setting, high school, the ethos of the school, homes and families? The expected world of Los Angeles – with the touch of television sitcom tone? The musical score and songs?

3. The title, the focus on Laney, the expectations of Zac, of Dean? Of her family? The variation on the ugly duckling story?

4. Zac, the popular student, the prom king type, his relationship with Taylor, the split, her dumping him? The joke, his bet with Dean, Dean as his best friend? Making any girl want to go to the prom with him and become prom queen? The conditions? Dean picking the girl? The decision to choose Laney? Zac, his background, wealth, status? The contrast with Laney’s family? His trying to be charming, Laney and her resisting him? His going to the conceptual arts club, his improvising and performance, her favourable response? His mellowing towards her but not telling her the truth? Their being together, the effect on him? Unexpected for him? The preparation for the prom, Laney learning the truth, Zac going with his sister? The dance, Laney snubbing him, going off with Dean? Zac going to her home – and the happy reunion?

5. Laney, her studies, her abilities, the glasses, haircut, clothing? The reaction of her family? Poorer, her father as pool repair man? Her being surprised at Zac’s approach, gradually changing her mind, the conceptual arts performance? The transformation, at school, with the other girls, Taylor and her antagonism? Laney as a candidate for prom queen? Her learning the truth from Dean, her anger, the break-up with Zac? Going to the dance with Dean? Her losing out to Taylor? Her decision to leave with Dean, his attempted seduction, her getting away, the return home, the happy ending?

6. Dean, the popular type, stereotype – but malicious, his friendship with Zac, the bet, picking Laney? His insidious attitude towards Zac? Towards Laney? His telling Laney the truth? Going to the prom, his intention to drug her, the seduction? The mean character of the film? Along with Taylor? The prom queen type, bitchiness, dumping Zac, Brock and the relationship, intimacy with him – but his watching the television? Her disbelief about Zac, breaking off with Brock? Going to the prom, her being prom queen?

7. Brock, Matthew Lillard’s daffy kind of comedy, the television star, self-importance, relationship with Brock, intimacy with her – and watching his reruns on television?

8. The Syler family, Zac’s sister, her comments, going to the prom? His parents? The Boggs family, the father, the pool repairs, the young children?

9. The atmosphere of school, the principal, the teaching staff, the sports events, the prom? A romantic atmosphere for a light teenage comedy?