I Love You, Beth Cooper

Come on, this is a high school comedy the way they used to do them back in the '80s! This is not John Hughes territory, as you might be led to believe upon seeing "Home Alone" director Chris Columbus at the helm. No, this is another breed of '80s comedy. This is more "Three O'Clock High" than "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," which is not necessarily a bad thing, depending on your taste. The humor here is broad and unsophisticated, for the most part, but fits with the brisk pacing and sunny tone of the film. This movie invites you to have a good time along with the cast. It throws you in the middle of a heightened reality/unlikely scenario (most geeks do not suddenly grow a pair and profess their love for the hottest girl in school during their valedictorian speech) and beckons you to simply enjoy the ride. While the films of John Hughes endeavor to depict a realistic panoramic view into the teenage mind, taking stereotypes and turning them inside out, this film, and its grandaddy "Three O'Clock High" do not carry such aspirations. They are fantasy, pure and true, and are all about having a good time. If the characters are two dimensional, so what? If the plot is threadbare, so what? Character development and story arc are not reasons to see a movie like "I Love You Beth Cooper." This is just a classic homespun yarn, taking place in Anywhere, USA, about a geek who outsmarts a bully and gets the girl. If you expected more, you're going to be disappointed. This is the kind of movie that could work just as well as a cartoon. It's a zippy, predictable ride from point A to point B, but the journey is not lacking in entertainment value. If you, like me, are a fan of "Three O'Clock High" and on many-a-day would watch it over "Bueller," then you're in for a treat because this is practically a remake albeit with the addition of a love interest.

A nerdy valedictorian proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school – Beth Cooper – during his graduation speech. Much to his surprise, Beth shows up at his door that very night and decides to show him the best night of his life...

That was the plot of the story. I was very surprised at the things Hayden did on screen as Beth Cooper. I mean she acts so mature in all her interviews & is a good role model for so many young girls. Why did she do what she did in the movie. I mean, the nude scene & some cussing. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie. She looked very young to be a valedictorian & the nerd, Denis Cooverman, frankly looked like he was 30 (& he is 30) & it was very uncomfortable seeing him with her on screen. I know she's not a schoolgirl, but she sure looks like it.

All those things aside, this is a very fun movie. This is not going to be one of those high school film classics, by any mean, but I didn't feel like I wasted my time watching this. The ending scene with Beth & Dennis on the lake & she's expressing her fear of the unknown in front of her was very moving. Who wouldn't feel like that at least slightly when they are as popular as Beth Cooper was in high school.

I love Hayden Panettiere in the TV series HEROES & I liked her performance here. They should have put a younger actor with her to play Denis.

7/10

"I Love You, Beth Cooper" opened with an extremely awkward scene, Denis (Paul Rust) confessing his love for Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere) during his valedictorian speech at his High School graduation. It was so awkward. I was so uncomfortable and embarrassed for him; it made me cringe. I didn't want to look but I just couldn't look away. The awkwardness was lightened with a few very funny remarks made during the speech. Luckily this was the only awkward humor. I don't think I would be able to handle a whole lot of that.

My favorite character was Rich Munsch played by newcomer Jack Carpenter. He was very funny with his random, homosexual comments then insisting he is not gay. Naturally I loved his movie references throughout the film.

"I Love You, Beth Cooper" was very stupid but so very amusing. There were countless moments when I laughed out loud. There were hilarious moments such as a towel battle scene, a fight scene with Carpenter jumping out a window as means of escape, and a scene involving a terrifying raccoon.

Though it was stupid and funny there were a lot of serious moments. The two main characters played by Rust and Panettiere did a lot of talking with their eyes. They understood personal and profound moments the other was going through. Oddly enough they had a great connection.

Though the acting wasn't fantastic, it wasn't a downfall for the film.

I am absolutely shocked to say this but I thoroughly enjoyed watching "I Love You, Beth Cooper". I would recommend it for a good laugh.

Now the way I'm reading all these comments on IMDb, people are acting like this was absolutely the worst movie of all time. Honestly, I love you Beth Cooper is not going to be one of those high school movie classics by no mean, but I didn't feel like my time was wasted watching it. As predictable and silly as it was, I still think this was a decent enough movie that got a few good laughs. I mean, who hasn't wanted to go all out on their high school class and just mock them on the last day of school? Not to mention get the hottie of their dreams in the same night that has them just living life to it's fullest. I think that over all the film worked, there were certain things that were flawed in the movie like the script could have used a few touch up's here and there and the cast did seem a little off. Paul Rust, it's kind of disturbing that he not only looks but is 28 years old and then you have Hayden Panettiere who looks 12 years old, it was a little… well, you get the idea. But still I think I love you Beth Cooper had it's moments enough to make you just sit back and forget reality for 95 minutes.

When a geeky high-school valedictorian throws caution to the wind by expressing his love for a popular cheerleader during his graduation speech, life finally starts to get interfering for Denis Cooverman who may have brains to spare; it's guts that he lacks, or at least, he did until today. Stepping up to the podium to deliver an inspirational speech to his graduating class, Denis decides that the time has finally come to call out his classmates on their peccadilloes and declare his love for the prettiest girl in school, Beth Cooper. Much to Denis' surprise, Beth responds by accepting an invitation to a party at his house later that day. But Beth's meat head boyfriend Kevin is none-too-pleased that his high school prize is mingling with the biggest dweeb in school, and when Kevin shows up at his house and tears the place apart in a fit of rage Denis, his best friend Rich, Beth, and her friends Cammy and Treece all pile into Beth's car and flee for their lives. For four long years Denis sat silently behind Beth in class, pining for a way to make his love known. Now, over the course of one long night, Denis will finally get to know the girl of his dreams better than he ever thought possible. If he manages to survive until morning, it's sure to be the story of a lifetime.

There were times that I absolutely laughed out loud like when Beth's psycho boyfriend kept going after Denis and just beating the heck out of him each time. Also seeing how Denis was reacting to all of Beth's "flaws" as a law breaking crazy party girl that he never imagined, only the sick fantasy as he has her picture blown up and taped over his bed. I think just the cast, the script and the characters needed work in order for this to be a great movie and that's why everyone is freaking out and saying how this is the most horrendous movie ever, either that or they're taking it too seriously. I think if you just let go and have a good time, you'll get a few laughs out of this movie, it's all in good fun and sometimes we need those silly high school flicks to either fantasize or bring us back to the good old days where getting a pimple at prom seems to be your scariest problem in the world. I love you Beth Cooper is worth the watch but more so wait for the rental vs. theater, it's just an average teen comedy.

6/10

'I Love You Beth Cooper' is a teen comedy that gently pushes a few boundaries but doesn't really do anything new. It is based on the book of the same name by Larry Doyle. Unlike the book though, this film never really captures the same atmosphere and leaves you wanting more from the characters. Unfortunately, due to some poor timing many of the jokes fall flat leaving the film to stutter instead of flow.

The film does pick up pace midway through the 2nd act however ultimately there isn't anything overly likable about the geek. A touch of reality may have made his character more believable but it seems the director prefers sight gags over substance. Some of the locations work well to build the atmosphere, but the dialog just feels too cheesy and forced to make you feel comfortable enough to just go with the story.

Hayden Panettiere is really the only reason you would watch this. It isn't hard to see why Denis would fall in love with her Beth - I kept thinking I'd probably do the same if I went to her school. I found her character to be very credible and I enjoyed every scene she was in.

If you like Beauty and the Geek and you're a fan of Hayden, this is worth watching. More music, faster - wittier dialog and more character development would have improved this ten fold.