Accepted
2006 · Directed by Steve Pink
- comedy
The story
A high school slacker who's rejected by every school he applies to opts to create his own institution of higher learning, the South Harmon Institute of Technology, on a rundown piece of property near his hometown.
What it’s like
Bright, flat suburban daylight and fluorescent-lit classrooms give this comedy a cheerfully unpolished look, with snappy handheld energy during the chaotic party and dorm scenes and bright, saturated colour that feels more like a sitcom than a prestige film. The score is pop-rock and sneaker-squeak comedy rhythm, with quick cuts and a brisk, restless pace that never lingers long on any one gag. The vibe is goofy, irreverent and loosely anarchic, the kind of thing for a lazy weekend afternoon, a group watch with friends, or easy background laughing on a long flight. Its emotional register is light and affectionate: a group of underachieving teenagers finding loyalty and self-belief in each other, with the comedy leaning on mild crudeness, sex jokes and teen-party bawdiness rather than any real menace. There is some slapstick and a few brief scenes of mild peril and humiliation, but no real violence, gore or cruelty. It suits fans of raunchy college comedies who want something silly, warm and undemanding.