Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)

Sort of a House Party for the white crowd, this tells the story of a group of graduating high school teens in their last party before leaving for college. The film features various storylines, including a young man trying to get up enough nerve to ask the prom queen out after she breaks up with the school jock supreme, the school nerd trying to fit in with the cool people, etc.

I actually enjoyed the film for the most part, especially the energetic first hour of the film. It’s funny and fresh even if you know how things are going to end up from the get go. Too bad that energy didn’t carry all the way through as the last half hour bogs everything down as it goes for a few serious moments.

Wall-to-wall music adorns this film, pretty good music too, and I would recommend this film to pretty much any high school teen as it’s right up their alley. A fun movie, and very entertaining…just don’t look for American Graffiti caliber entertainment.

Qwipster’s rating: B+

MPAA Rated: PG-13 for teen drinking and sexuality, and for language
Running Time: 100 min.

Cast: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ethan Embry, Charlie Korsmo, Lauren Ambrose
Director: Harry Elfont, Deborah Kaplan
Screenplay: Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont