Orange County Review
by Aleksandar Zambelli (IHATESPAMzambelli AT posluh DOT hr)February 4th, 2002
Movie Review:
"Orange County"
Copyright (c) 2001 Aleksandar Zambelli
Originally published in The Crimson, a Florida Tech student publication.
Director: Jake Kasdan
Starring: Colin Hanks, Jack Black, Schuyler Fisk
Genre: comedy
Contrary to how most people feel about them, I like watching movie previews because they give me a good idea of which movies are worth seeing in the theater, worth renting on video, or not worth anything at all. I can usually spot a stinker from miles away, as well as notice a potential Movie of the Year. But every now and then I take my chance and go see a movie whose previews indicated a waste of my time and money - and I walk out of the movie theater pleasantly surprised. "Orange County" was certainly a movie whose previews did not paint a flattering picture, but it turned out to be quite an amusing little flick.
"Orange County" takes place in, of course, Orange County, CA, where 18-year old Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks) lives a carefree life of surfing and hanging out with friends. His life changes when he stumbles upon a book by a fellow named Marcus Skinner (Kevin Kline) and decides he wants to be a writer. In order to become a successful writer, Shaun decides he must learn from the master himself, the great Marcus Skinner, who happens to be a professor at Stanford University. Shaun gives up his surfing ways and applies to Stanford, but due to an unfortunate mistake made by his guidance counselor (she sends the wrong transcript to Stanford), his application is rejected. Desperate, he seeks help from his devoted girlfriend Ashley (Schuyler Fisk) and his chronically stoned brother Lance (Jack Black). Needless to say, things don't get any better.
"Orange County" is an interesting debut for two young actors, both of whom are children of famous movie stars. Colin Hanks, as you might guess, is the son of Tom Hanks, while Schuyler Fisk, as you probably won't guess, is the daughter of Sissy Spacek (who recently won a Golden Globe for "In the Bedroom"). While they both have had previous acting experience on both film and TV, this is their breakthrough movie for which they will probably be remembered for (if they ever become even as remotely famous as their parents). Their acting talents are not exactly pushed to the limit in "Orange County," but then again, neither did Tom Hanks' career take off until he made a few mediocre comedies first.
The movie's power lies in its script. The script is refreshingly funny and satirical for what at first seems to be just another teen flick. Although scriptwriter Mike White uses many stereotypes (Californian teens as dumb stoned surfers, alcoholic mother, workaholic father, etc.), he often manages to take many of them over the top and create clever satire (i.e. English teacher who claims Shakespeare wrote "Waterworld" and "Talented Mister Ripley"). The card up the sleeve in the case of "Orange County" also proves to be a very diverse and talented cast of comedians, both young and old. While Jack Black ("High Fidelity," "Shallow Hal") steals the spotlight with his usual antics, distinguished comedians such as Chevy Chase ("Caddyshack"), Harold Ramis ("Ghostbusters," "Army"), John Lithgow ("Third Rock From the Sun," "Shrek"), Ben Stiller ("Meet the Parents") and Kevin Kline ("In & Out," "Life As a House") provide the movie's true backbone.
"Orange County" is an amusing comedy which will provide the entertainment it promises, and perhaps some more. Although a refreshing change from the recent tidal wave of moronic teen comedies, it still falls short of great teen underdogs such as "Election."
Score: 6/10
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