I Love You, Beth Cooper
2009 · Directed by Chris Columbus
Original language: English
- comedy
- romance
The story
A valedictorian's declaration of love for a high-school cheerleader launches a night of revelry, reflection and romance for a group of graduating seniors.
What it’s like
Bright, flat suburban daylight giving way to warm, overexposed summer night in a Colorado-style town, with the look of a bright teen-comedy: saturated primary colours, glossy digital sheen, quick cuts and whip pans through house parties and cul-de-sacs. The score is peppy pop-rock and the dialogue lands fast and loud, so the mood is hyperactive, giddy and mildly chaotic rather than wistful. The vibe is loud, goofy and sweetly awkward, suited to a Friday night with friends or a lighter late-evening watch when you want something bouncy and not too serious. The pacing is brisk and escalating across one long night, following a nerdy, nervous graduate as he tumbles into a series of embarrassing, escalating scrapes while trying to win his crush and reckon with his friendship. Its emotional register is rom-com sincerity wrapped in slapstick and crude one-liners. Intensity is moderate: frequent swearing, sexual innuendo and drinking, some mild violence and comic peril, but no gore and little real cruelty. It suits viewers who want an easygoing, raucous teen comedy about first love and friendship, not a gentle or quiet film.
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