I Love You, Beth Cooper

Chris Columbus has had an odd career to say the least. Its actually not particularly odd, its actually quite ordinary for a working director and writer in Hollywood, but it’s the variety of things he’s been involved in that is somewhat peculiar. He has contributed to some of the great pop culture films of the last twenty or thirty years. He has directed the first two “Harry Potter” movies, “Adventures in Babysitting,” the first two “Home Alone” movies, the musical “Rent,” and he’s also written movies like “Gremlins,” and “The Goonies.” While most of these films appeal to teens, they are generally pretty good movies. I guess what’s puzzling is why a man who surely knows quality would choose to direct a film like “I Love You, Beth Cooper.”

“I Love You, Beth Cooper” is about a nerdy high school guy who decides to express his love for the most popular girl in school at their graduation. What follows is a crazy one-night long adventure that brings the two closer together. The movie is largely fodder for teen audiences, but even teenagers are too cynical to buy into this film (or at least that’s what I choose to believe). It features what might be one of the least appealing actresses in recent years, Hayden Panettiere. There is little to like about this movie, but I guess if you’re a teen these days then it’s just enough. This seems to be the films largest problem, it offers nothing to people outside its target demographic. The jokes are funny if you are largely unfamiliar with comedy and humor in general, and the plot is clichéd to put it mildly. What’s strange is that Columbus, a pro when it comes to this supposed genre, could drop the ball like this.

I can’t completely trash the film because for the most part the actors do what they can with what they are given. There are a couple of parts that are so stupid that you can’t help but laugh. But there was really no reason for this film to be made. The characters are one dimensional, and when they try to delve deeper it becomes maudlin and insufferable. I guess it’s not as boring as it could have been and maybe if I were 13 I might hate it a little less, but that’s really the best thing I can say. I’m not a good enough critic to be able to put myself in the shoes of a teenager and tell you how they would gauge it. However, if you are thinking about seeing it and are not between the ages of 11 and 15 years old then you should save your money.