Can't Hardly Wait Movie Review 1998

Writer-directors Kaplan and Elfont attempt to reheat the John Hughes 80s teen-party-and-angst casserole for the kids of the 90s. Unfortunately, it's lost its flavor. All of your favorite high school cardboard cut-ups are here. Jock-jerk Mike (Facinelli) dumps teen queen Amanda (Hewitt) on the eve of a graduation blowout. Shy, sensitive Preston (Embry), who believes himself linked to Amanda by fate and their mutual love of toaster pastry, decides this is his opportunity to finally tell her how he feels. Frolicking in the background are your stereotypical foreign exchange students, stoners, geeks, metal heads, jocks and bimbos herded around by the ever-present Girl Whose Party It Is. Wavers between (unsuccessfully) trying to be thoughtful like "American Graffiti" and thoughtless like "Animal House."

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 101 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Romantic Comedy, Teen Angst, High School, Teen Comedy, Flashback, On the Rocks, Sex & Sexuality

Screenplay

Harry Elfont, Deborah Kaplan

Cast

Ethan (Randall) Embry, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Peter Facinelli, Charlie Korsmo, Seth Green, Jerry O'Connell, Lauren Ambrose, Jenna Elfman, Michelle Brookhurst, Erik Palladino

Cinematography

Lloyd Ahern

Director

Harry Elfont, Deborah Kaplan

Music

David Kitay, Matthew Sweet

Producer

Jenno Topping, Betty Thomas, Tall Trees, Columbia Pictures