I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writers (WGA):

Larry Doyle (screenplay)
Larry Doyle (novel)

Release Date:

10 July 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Five Little Words Can Change Your Life

Plot:

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. |

Plot Keywords:

Valedictorian | High School Graduation | Embarrassment | Cow Tipping | Punctuation In Title

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Hayden Panettiere	...	Beth Cooper
Paul Rust	...	Denis Cooverman
Jack Carpenter	...	Rich Munsch (as Jack T. Carpenter)
Lauren London	...	Cammy Alcott
Lauren Storm	...	Treece Kilmer
Shawn Roberts	...	Kevin
Jared Keeso	...	Dustin
Brendan Penny	...	Sean
Marie Avgeropoulos	...	Valli Wooley
Josh Emerson	...	Greg Saloga
Alan Ruck	...	Mr. Cooverman
Cynthia Stevenson	...	Mrs. Cooverman
Pat Finn	...	Coach Raupp
Andrea Savage	...	Dr. Gleason
Violet Columbus	...	Sullen Girl (Angelica)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language, some teen drinking and drug references, and brief violence.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #45026) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | USA:R (uncut version) | Singapore:NC-16 | Ireland:15A | New Zealand:R16 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Germany:12 | UK:15 | Finland:K-11

Filming Locations:

Golden Ears Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Fox Atomic

Trivia:

In the afterword to the book this film was based on, author Larry Doyle admitted he initially conceived this story as a movie. When he was unable to generate interest, he published the story as a novel. It subsequently generated enough popularity to spark interest in adapting it for film, and Doyle was invited to write the screenplay.

Goofs:

Factual errors: If LoJack was in Kevin's H2, the police would've been there with them since LoJack is traceable only by police. Besides, an H2 Hummer would most likely have OnStar, not LoJack.

Quotes:

[from trailer]
Beth Cooper: [to Denis] Still love me?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Spike's Guys Choice (2009) (TV)

Not gold, but not trash as some are making it out to be

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