American Pie

Introduction

American Pie, the first of a great trilogy which provides the basis for all teen movies since the start of this millennium, none has lived up to this. The film is an American teen film released in 1999 and directed by Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz. The film is also produced by Chris Weitz but with Chris More.

Cast

Jason Biggs - Jim
Thomas Ian Nicholas - Kevin
Chris Klein - Oz
Eddie Kaye Thomas - Finch
Seann William Scott - Stiffler
Shannon Elizabeth - Nadia
Alyson Hannigan - Michele
Eugene Levy - Jims Dad
Tara Reid - Vicky

Budget = $11 million or £5.7 million

Certificate

UK - 15
Contains scenes of a sexual nature.

Plot

American Pie follows the stories of four young guys (Jim, Kevin, Finch & Oz) graduating from high school and trying to reach their holy grail (losing their virginity).

The four sign a pact the morning after a disastrous party hosted by Steve Stiffler (a cocky classmate who boasts about his and his family's notorious success with women). Each guy has their own unique method of setting about achieving the task, Get laid before college:

Jim has had no success with women previously, and is constantly embarrassed by his Dad's passion for explaining sexual education however obvious it is. Jim has the first real opportunity "to score" in the film when a beautiful Czechoslovakian girl (Nadia) wants some help with History tutoring and Jim agrees to give her a lesson. The story evolves and turns out the girl wants to get changed in Jim's room before the lesson…… no problem but Jim decides (with the help of his friends) to broadcast her naked over the internet. After visiting a friend's house to see the internet, Jim returns to find Nadia naked on his bed "enjoying" his porn magazines. Nadia is at first angry that Jim has intruded on her, but then decides she wants him to get naked to join in the fun. Without ruining the best bit of the film; Jim embarrasses himself sufficiently in front of not just Nadia, but also his friends watching on the internet & every member of his year (who he accidently sent the email containing the link too). Jim decides he is useless at talking to women and so seeks the help of Michele, a self confessed Band Geek.

Oz, a sports fanatic decides against the wishes of his friends and most notably Stiffler to join the jazz choir as a way of meeting women. This proves fruitful as he manages to get a prom date with one of the girls after only a couple of sessions. However after one lacrosse game she spots him making fun of her with his friends as cancels the date. Oz decides to dedicate more of his time to singing and less to sports in a bid to win her back.

Finch a cleaver student with elaborate tendencies, such as not using school bathrooms and an unhealthy fantasy of Stiffler's mum. He pays Jessica, (best friend of Vicky) $200 to spread rumours about him amongst the females in his year. This does prove very successful with girls questioning his availability for the prom, but a not too happy Stiffler quickly puts an end to it.

Finally Kevin, his task is different to the others because he has a long term girlfriend (Vicky), but she won't have sex with him unless the time is perfect. Kevin keeps trying to entice Vicky into bed with him but she keeps declining and growing frustrated with his attitude being "it's all about sex." Kevin realizes that he will lose Vicky unless he finds ways too pleasure her which is exactly why he borrows an alumni collection of sex tips from the library.

All four boys and their methods culminate at the end of year prom, and each is determined not to fail their side of the bargain.

Soundtrack

Third Eye Blind - New Girl
Tonic - You Wanted More
Blink-182 - Mutt
Sugar Ray - Glory
Super TransAtlantic - Super down
Dishwalla - Find Your Way Back Home
Bic Runga - Good Morning Baby
Shades Apart - Stranger by the Day
Bachelor Number One - Summertime
Goldfinger - Vintage Queen
Bic Runga - Sway
Loose Nuts - Wishen
The Atomic Fireballs - Man with the Hex

This film has a brilliant soundtrack and the star names that you can see above add another dimension to the film. My favourite track here is Mutt by Blink 182 (who also appear as a cameo in the movie). The genre of all these songs is American light lyrical indie rock.

Analysis
One of my favourite films ever, there are traces of this piece of brilliance stretching far afield and will do in decades to come. This has to be the original, classic teen movie but nothing (outside of the American Pie series) has set off from where this film left off. This is a genuinely funny film, and whilst I have been hyper critical of some modern comedy films (See Superbad review) this film combines the perfect emulsion of all comic humour, be it slapstick, ironic, sarcastic and stupid.

The other elements of this film are also of the highest quality, a seemingly simple plot allows really detailed character emotional layers to be revealed. The acting is very good and it is obvious that they loved the filming. The music is outstanding as just mentioned.

The culmination of all these things combines to form "The best comedy I have ever seen."

Quotes

Here's an idea: why don't you guys locate your dicks, remove the shrink wrap, and fucking use them!

I have to admit, you know, I did the fair bit of [hesitates] masturbating when I was a little younger. I used to call it stroking the salami, yeah, you know, pounding the old pud. [pause] I never did it with baked goods, but you know your uncle Mort, he pets the one-eyed snake 5-6 times a day.

I don't want any of you boys thinking that you're gonna score. You don't score, until you score!

Running Time

96 minutes

Ratings

75% on Rotten Tomatoes

Similar Films

1) American Pie (all others)
2) Dude where's my car?
3) Superbad
4) Boys and Girls