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Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 12/08, 1/22

CantHardly
12/08: I guess I don't have to tell you the first two words of Can't Hardly Wait is grammatically incorrect because it invokes a double negative.

That being said, it serves as a warning of what's to come because the movie is a straight-up rip-off of Dazed and Confused and American Graffiti all rolled into one.

Not much of a comedy, it's embarrassing and cheesy like the sight of Seth Green. The film actually falls under the category of "so bad and stupid that it's pitifully funny." All characters are superficial and shallow losers, and I can't say that I give a flying fuck about them or their problems.

Take Jennifer Love Hewitt's character. What's so damned special about her? The way she talks sounds like an uneducated person with zero credibility. And the loser alpha male fell for her? Boy, he'll make a great frat boy with a full-blown drinking problem. Speaking of that, I've enjoyed Jerry O'Connell's performance as Trip McNeely.

All in all, there should be a film about Trip McNeely that centers around his fall from grace.

1/22: Corny as hell, Can't Hardly Wait is energetic in an American Graffiti way.

When I look at Preston's eyes, I think of the creepy Emilio Estevez lusting after Dale Biberman in St. Elmo's Fire. Seth Green, oh my goodness...forget it. Many characters remind me of the people that I knew either in high school or college. Yep, it's the same exact personality.

My favorite is Trip McNeely who appeared out of the blue as the burned-out frat brother. The scene may take a minute or two, but Jerry O'Connell is effective. If you read the symbols on his shirt, they spell out D I K for Delta Iota Kappa. The funniest part is when Mike Dexter was left alone with the crowd and somebody yelled, "fag," causing the room to erupt in laughter.

Speaking of the cast, I noticed in the closing credits that several thespians' names went missing. They're Jerry O'Connell, Jenna Elfman, and Breckin Meyer. It's weird to see Reni Santoni in a tiny, throwaway role. One of the girlfriends is played by Jaime Pressly. I don't think one is going to find somebody prettier than her in college. Unusual is Amanda Beckett doing nothing much at the party; for the most popular girl, she just stands or sits on the sofa.

All in all, Can't Hardly Wait can be thought of as a bad film, but it's catchy with well-developed characters and quirky moments.