A Midsummer's movie (Get Over It (DVD))

Member Name: hugon

Product:	Get Over It (DVD)
Date:	28/06/01 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Kirsten Dunst, Actually very funny, Happy ending

Disadvantages: Very predicatable, Sisqo

I’m sure you know me by now – I’m a huge fan of these cheesy teenage comedies, predictable though they may be, I can’t seem to get enough of them. Part of it is wanting my own life to work out so neatly, the way in these films the right guy and girl always end up together at the end, and everyone is always smiling and happy. Wouldn’t life be great that way?

I’ve been meaning to go and see it for a few weeks, I saw a couple of trailers on TV and thought it looked OK, although I was half-expecting it to be very disappointing when I actually saw it, but when it came down to it, I have to say I was more than impressed. There are a few minor spoilers in the review, but it’s a teen comedy, so nothing you couldn’t have guessed for yourself ;)

The story centres on Berke, played by Ben Foster (perhaps his parents didn’t realise they where harming him when they named him, or perhaps it’s a little pun to convey his ineptitude), who is trying to win back his girlfriend Alice (Melissa Sagemiller). Berke has known Alice since they were both toddlers, and now, 16 months and 3 days after they started going out, Alice calls an end to things.

Understandably, poor Berke is devastated, and will do anything to win Alice back. However, serenading her by singing Elvis Costello’s “Alison” outside her house is not doing him any favours. Things take a turn for the worse when Alice starts seeing new guy and ex boyband member Striker (Shane West), who is trying out for the school production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Not being one to back down for a challenge, Berke also auditions, even though an inability to sing or act really is going to hamper him.

Berke enlists the assistance of his best friend’s little sister Kelly (Kirsten Dunst) to try and coach him through the rehearsals in order not to make too big a fool out of him. What he doesn’t real
ise at first is that Kelly has the hots for him, and soon he starts to feel the same way too, but his feelings for Alison are preventing him for doing anything.

I won’t give any more away for fear of spoiling it, but the outcome is so obvious that you need new eyeballs if you can’t see it straight away. It does work well, the script is nicely paced and written, but at times you just want to shout at Berke to kiss Kelly and get it over with!

Ben Foster plays a superb lead as Berke, this is the first time I have seen him in a film and he does it wonderfully – he gets to display a whole range of emotions in the film, from devastation to humiliation, anger to happiness and he carries them all off realistically and warmly, bringing a kind of goofy charm to Berke that makes you wonder why Alice wanted to get rid of him in the first place. I’ve seen Dunst in Bring It On and Drop Dead Gorgeous, and she reprises the same sweet teenager role that she played in those films, she’s pretty and sweet and ideally suited to these types of roles. The two lead characters work well together, they manage to create the on screen chemistry delightfully, to the extent where you are rooting for Berke to kiss Kelly and ditch Alice from his thoughts.

The supporting cast are also superb – Dr Desmond Forest Oates (Martin Short), the camp drama teacher almost threatens to steal the show, he’s dry and sarky, bitter at is own failed career, just an all round horrible guy, but absolutely hilarious. The new object of Alice’s affection also plays a great role, Shane West manages to pull off his smug and superior attitude, he manages to make you hate him, and himself and Ben Foster have a superb on screen chemistry when you really believe they hate each others cuts, they are full of off the cuff snide remarks under their breath when everyone else is out of earshot. I really enjoyed Berke’s parents, presenters of a TV rel
ationship show, who are desperately embarrassing – “You’re my parents, you’re not supposed to trust me” is one of the best lines in the film. You also have to single out Sisqo for a little criticism. This may be his debut acting performance, but he’ll need to improve a lot if he is to drag his thong into another movie. He’s the one dud link in the cast – in the dancing sequences he’s superb, and he leads the cast in a dancing sequence during the closing credits of the movie, but when he speaks, it’s cringe worthy to see such a wooden performance. Back to the world of hip-hop for you my son.

The script is well balanced between visual and spoken humour. There are a few characters brought in simply for comic relief – the likes of the accident-prone girl Berke’s friends set him up on a date with in order to try and cheer him up, and the rather randy pet dog. These are quite elaborate slapstick sequences that are well thought out, and placed well throughout the film to provide a nice balance to the wise cracks. Unrealistic yes, but they aren’t as predictable or as stupid as I was expecting. The spoken dialogue between characters is very good, sharp and on the spot. It might wash over some older people’s heads, but it’s spot on for teenagers talking to one another. The more serious sequences are kept to a minimum, and for the most part it laughs all the way, and the heavier parts are often lightened with a little joke to keep the mood buoyant.

The film is based around Shakespeare’s play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Being a philistine, I haven’t read the original, so I can’t tell you how accurate it is or isn’t, but I’m sure most of the audience will be on the same boat. I think the way part of the film is centred on them putting on that actual play in their school is a very neat touch. Another nice touch is little fant
asy sequences where Berke imagines his life laid out in the Shakespeare play, all dressed in olden style costumes and quoting pieces of the text, it keeps the film quite close to the original story.

Another great point is the musical score – right from the very start you can tell there is going to be a lot of music in this film, when Berke walks out of Alice’s house after being dumped to find a band following him up the street singing a huge love song at him. And it’s not just typical teen comedy radio friendly rock either – there’s all types from musical type music, to a bit of hip hop, to the standard ballads. It’s irritatingly catchy, and there are other musical moments during the film, Kirsten Dunst’s character having a few (admittedly quite cheesy) sweet love songs to sing about being in love with a guy who doesn’t notice her (hint) and a big dance at the end. It keeps the film feeling light and happy, and helps maintain an interest in the film.

It’s 90 minutes long, probably about the ideal length for the film. There’s only so long they can string the inevitable out for without it becoming tedious, and it pulls it off before you start to get bored. I didn’t notice the time going by, the first time I looked at my watch was just before the film ended, so I wasn’t bored.

It certainly isn’t the most inspiring or original film that you’ll see this year, but if you’re short of something to for 90 minutes, or don’t know what to see down at the cinema, I can recommend this. If you look at it as it’s meant to be taken – light hearted and throwaway, then it does its job superbly. If you don’t like teen comedies, and there are many that don’t, then you’ll hate this. If you are a fan, then this is one of the best I’ve seen in a while. Laugh out loud funny, with the perfect sweet ending. Perfect for a first date meth
inks – now I just need a date to go with.

Official Site
http://www.alloy.com/getoverit

Get over it on IMBD:
Http://www.us.imdb.com/Title?0192071

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