WHAT IT’S ABOUT?
Danny Stein’s got a problem. Although his childhood best friend Camille is more than willing to be his date for the prom he’s got the hots for someone else. When his plans to escort his dream girl evaporate and Camille’s already found someone else the race is one to find someone — ANYONE — available to take at the last minute. After all even the school’s biggest loser (um Bart) is going — he got a room!
WHO’S IN IT?
Newcomer Steven Kaplan makes a sterling impression as the desperate and horny kid stuck without a date on the biggest night of high school. Kaplan is reminiscent of a younger Ben Stiller as he portrays all the angst and frustration of that awkward age. William H. Macy and Cheryl Hines are hilarious as his separated parents who both have dating problems of their own. Macy with Brillo-pad hair and polyester clothes is particularly funny as he tries to help his son but doesn’t even have a clue how to fix his own problems. Ashley Benson is vapidly entertaining as the would-be dream date while Alia Shawkat is touching and real as the reliable best friend who never gets the guy herself.
WHAT’S GOOD?
First-time feature director Brian Hecker gets the Ft. Lauderdale Fl. Jewish milieu down pat and elicits wonderfully subtle deadpan performances from a terrific ensemble cast. His screenplay is full of LOL moments that will have you howling in recognition as the pain of prom night is brought into full focus.
WHAT’S BAD?
At 80 minutes the movie is too short. This is one instance where you actually want to spend more time with these characters.
FAVORITE SCENE:
Feverishly looking to be a hero for his son Macy convinces an aging overweight blonde at the next-door Bar Mitzvah to be Danny’s prom date but ahem it doesn’t quite work out.
WHO THE HELL IS BART?
Chad Jamian Williams as the “title character” actually makes only a brief appearance in a restroom scene towards the end. Hey at least he can impress people on his resume.
