Seen All That
New Movie is Derivative, But Isn't a Waste

On hearing the premise of the new teen flick She's All That I thought, "Didn't I see this movie back in the '80s, and wasn't it called Can't Buy Me Love?" Of course, even that was a remake of Funny Girl, based on Shaw's Pygmallion. I think the Barenaked Ladies said it best, "It's all been done before."

In a plot that hardly needs explanation, Freddie Prinze, Jr. plays class president and all around teen idol, Zack Siler. In the final months before graduation, Zack finds himself dumped by his girlfriend, Taylor (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe). In an effort to save face, he makes a bet with his friend Dean that he can transform even the homeliest wallflower into a prom queen material in time for the big dance -- just six weeks away. To Zack's horror (and no one's surprise), Dean picks Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook), a shy art student who's dark view of the world is manifested in her equally dark paintings.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where this story is going, or how it is going to get there. The story is hackneyed, at best. It does have its moments, however, not only in some surprising talent, but also through some clever insights into the horrible, petty social politics found in high school.

But for every interesting idea, like the flashback scene to Taylor's spring break in Florida, there's a lame scene or stilted dialogue. The choreographed dance scene at the Prom looks like something from Grease or West Side Story. Like many such scenes, though, it is too well rehearsed for ordinary kids. It breaks the suspension of disbelief and only reminds the audience that they are watching a movie.

Thankfully, there are a couple of inspired performances to pick up the slack. Most notable is 19-year old Cook, who's portrayal of Laney is dead on. Hiding behind thick-framed glasses, her long hair tied back, she looks like a cross between pop singer Lisa Loeb and a young Winnona Ryder. But Cook doesn't just allow her character to remain defined by her bookish looks. In every conversation, in every scene, she projects a vulnerability as if frightened of every person who threatens to get too close. The only people she seems at ease with are her father and brother (of whom she is very protective).

In what will probably be a completely overlooked performance by the general media, Kevin Pollak is hilarious in his portrayal Laney's father, a pool cleaner. In addition to collecting the items he fishes from various drains, he also likes sitting in his underwear and watch "Jeopardy!" -- and answering every question wrong. The poor man seems oblivious to what is going on around him, but has an endearing heart-to-heart with his daughter that shows him to be a caring, compassionate man.

The rest of the cast, including Prinze, are wooden. Their stereotypical roles define the characters more than the actors do. The class president, the prom queen, and their entourages are hardly worth mentioning. Prinze, with a look of hopeless determination, reminds one of Keanu Reeves. That isn't meant as a compliment. Additionally, Matthew Lillard plays Taylor's new love interest, Brock Hudson, a self-centered, egotistical actor-wannabe. Anna Paquin plays Zach's sister, Mackenzie, who helps transform Laney from bookworm to butterfly.

A final note for all those fans of television's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." If you watch very closely, Sarah Michelle Gellar makes an uncredited cameo appearance in one of the lunchroom scenes. She's the girl with the pizza.

MY RATING: 4 out of 10.

RATED:
RUN TIME: 86 min.

Seen All That New Movie is Derivative, But Isn't a Waste

Seen All That
New Movie is Derivative, But Isn't a Waste