I Love You, Beth Cooper

Though rarely as engaging or captivating as its above-average literary predecessor, I Love You, Beth Cooper nevertheless establishes itself as an amiable piece of work that benefits substantially from the uniformly compelling performances and the presence of a few unexpectedly poignant interludes. The movie, based on Larry Doyle’s superb novel, follows dorky teen Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) as he proclaims his love for the school’s hottest girl (Hayden Panettiere’s Beth Cooper) during his valedictory speech, with the storyline subsequently revolving around the hectic night that ensues after Beth and two friends (Lauren London’s Cammy and Lauren Storm’s Treece) arrive on Denis’ doorstep looking for a wild party. There’s little doubt that filmmaker Chris Columbus’ almost sitcom-like approach to the material takes some getting used to, as the movie boasts (or suffers from) a brazenly frenetic vibe that results in an opening half hour that’s simply not all that compelling. There’s little doubt, however, that the film does improve substantially once it passes the half hour mark, with the inclusion of several low-key character-building sequences proving an effective counterbalance to the story’s overtly madcap moments. Rust’s down-to-earth turn as the protagonist plays a pivotal role in the movie’s ultimate success, as the actor effectively makes certain that Denis never quite comes off as the stereotypical nerd one might’ve anticipated (although the 28-year-old Rust is admittedly less-than-successful in convincingly stepping into the shoes of a teenager). Panettiere’s equally impressive work ensures that I Love You, Beth Cooper is at its best when focused on the increasingly heartfelt conversations between the pair, and it’s thus worth noting that the film’s third act possesses a number of genuinely moving segments that cement its place as a better-than-average contemporary teen flick (albeit one that’s hardly in the same league of Columbus mentor John Hughes’ output).

*** out of ****