Orange County Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)January 25th, 2002
Semi-sweet, Semi-funny "Orange County"
by Homer Yen
(c) 2002
Standing in line at the local multiplex on a Wednesday evening, you might discover that there are far too many screens and far too few good movies to see, especially this time of the year. Yes, there are holdovers from 2001 that are making an effort to make an impression in the minds of Academy members as Oscar voting looms near. But in general, finding quality and entertaining fare will be tough, so we'll have to lower the bar a bit.
And if we do, we might find some solace in a film like "Orange County," which presents some fresh ideas within the very familiar framework of the college comedy. You know the kind. This is where the graduating valedictorian says something perverse like: "it's not what you can do for your college but who you can do while in college." It's where college girls at the local sorority house look sinfully prurient and all dance in unison like MTV extras. And it's where surfboards, underachievers, and potheads that proclaim "dude!" don’t seem all that out of place.
Despite its immature look and feel, there is an element of poignancy working its way to the top as we meet Shaun (Colin Hanks). At first, we see him as a carefree surfer who gladly cuts classes and forgoes homework in order to catch that big wave with his stoner buddies. One day on the beach, he discovers a novel buried in the sand that will change his entire outlook and define his future dreams. It's the kind of material that seems to clarify your life's work for you when you're young and impressionable and desperately looking for direction. He's determined to become a writer and wants to go to Stanford to study under the tutelage of his new hero/author.
He has all the right credentials to gain acceptance, but his loopy guidance counselor (Lily Tomlin) accidentally sends the admissions committee the wrong transcript. Shaun is crushed, and the anxiety of failure as well as the prospect of having to stay in the local area with his incredibly dysfunctional family is unbearable.
His family members include his brother Lance (Jack Black), who either "looks to be perpetually recovering from last night" or exhibits a mad scientist-like zeal. His mother (Catherine O'Hara) is flaky, a frequent drunk, and seems to have graduated from the Meryll Streep Academy of Woe. His dad (John Lithgow) is too busy with his business and his new 20-something year old wife. His only safe harbor rests with his girlfriend, Ashley (Schuyler Fisk), who embodies the tenet that "behind every great man, there is a great woman."
They seem happy that Shaun will be around. But he asks them, "What about what I want?" The story thus becomes something of a personal journey for Shaun as he tries to decide what he wants to do. At this point, the film takes on an introspective nature as our young and confused high school graduate puzzles out his future. The story becomes something of a hybrid mixing lightweight drama with teenage antics. As a result, "Orange County" seems more insightful than other films of this genre, teaching us some valuable lessons that every young person should embrace.
Grade: C+
S: 2 out of 3
L: 1 out of 3
V: 0 out of 3
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