Drive Me Crazy

This one is a guilty pleasure movie of mine. I can't explain why I like it, or if I even do like it, but when it's on I watch it. Sure it has my all time favorite movie babe Ali Larter in it, but you don't see me watching Varsity Blues or American Outlaws. Maybe when I discover what it is I like about this movie I'll post it later.

Nicole Maris (Melissa Joan Hart) is the popular girl in school. Chase Hammond (Adrian Grenier) is the activist troublemaker. It's their senior year. The next door neighbors and former friends don't get along any more. The centennial of the school is coming up. She and her friends are planning the prom. He and his friends are causing mayhem. Nicole is rejected by clueless jock Brad in the traditional popular pairing in favor of true love for a cheerleader from another school. Chase is dumped by girlfriend Dulcie (Ali Larter) for an animal activist. Nicole comes up with a scheme to date Chase to make Brad jealous. Chase accepts it to make Dulcie jealous.

Hart and Grenier are photogenic early twenty somethings with plenty of charisma. They bring a nice appeal to this teen high school dramedy. Despite being best known for the popliscious Britney Spears song, it takes a couple of deep dives. It does leave the movie uneven in tone at times. This is nothing ground breaking but it's passable for the genre. The two leads make it work.

I went to this film expecting it to be just a formula teen film. It does have formula to it -- such as ending with the big dance -- but it actually has some interesting ideas too. It is about the images that people hide behind, the distortions that they manufacture to escape from painful reality.

One symbolic scene takes place in a carnival fun house with mirrors that twist and pull reflections into any shape the person wants. This of course is the metaphor for what is happening with all the characters. Another interesting bit of symbolism is the MTV-like video showing the zombie-like behavior of the high school in-crowd compared to images of animals and Nazi rallies.

Yes, it's a teen romantic comedy, but it actually has some real thought in it, and the talented cast play characters that show some depth. The film is a pleasant surprise.

I watched this movie on `Sky' after watching `TOMCATS' on video, so whether my judgement has been affected by that, maybe. As compared to Tomcats this film looked like an Oscar winner, but I must say I did actually really enjoy it in its own right.

Its typical teen comedy/drama in the same vein as `TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU' and `SHE'S ALL THAT' but if you like that kind of film then this will in no way disappoint you. Hart and Grenier play polar opposite next door neighbours who hook up as a sham couple to try and win back the attention of their dates, who dump them on the eve of the schools centenary bash. It doesn't take a genius to guess what happens but its all pretty harmless and a lot of fun. Well worth and hour and a half of your time.

I wasn't expecting this. I could say I was engaged all the way through, though it did have its stretches. Adrian Grenier was a true movie star in this, which was I think his second film ever. Melissa Jone Hart was super attractive as the shy next door type. This was a great time, I really truly enjoyed this movie.

The story is about next door neighbors in high school who were best friends when they were young. They agree to renew their friendship to make their crushes jealous. In the process, they fall for each other.

I don't know, everything about this movie was nearly perfect. Not sure why. In almost every aspect it could be seen as an average movie at best. But it blew me away. The soundtrack is nostalgic 90s music with Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears. They definitely knew what they were doing here. In the process, they created a sweet, entertaining, cool, entrancing, and engaging film. I couldn't ask for more!

Don't see it if you don't want to. I highly highly would recommend it, but that's just my taste.

8 stars