‘She’S All That’ Tells Duckling-Swan Story
The latest careening comedy-romance in an avalanche of high school-themed films, “She’s All That” is an upscale teen version of “My Fair Lady” starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook in Robert Iscove’s (ABC’s acclaimed “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella”) feature directorial debut.
Screenwriter R. Lee Fleming Jr. is also a newcomer to features after working on such projects as MTV’s “Dead at 21.” One is surprised that Fleming and Iscove do not strive for a zestier flavor to the satiric elements of “She’s All That,” although some of the gags involving a bogus cast member from MTV’s “The Real World” are winners.
Set in Pacific Palisades, Calif., with an almost Homeric rivalry between senior gods Zach (Prinze) and Dean (Paul Walker), the story takes place in the eight weeks between spring break and graduation. When Zach’s longtime girlfriend Taylor (Jodi Lyn O’Keefe), the evil queen of the realm, dumps him for “Real World” loser Brock (Matthew Lillard), sadistic Dean goads our hero into betting he can transform any girl into a winner on prom night.
Scarily egotistical and aggressive, Dean laughingly picks out the school dweeb, artist and free thinker Laney (Cook), anticipating Zach’s utter humiliation and defeat. Indeed, Zach is vaguely confused and upset, but he quickly takes a hankering to sweet, sharp Laney. She doesn’t make it easy for him, and he has to pull off “Pretty Woman”-like feats of materialistic wizardry from time to time.
Zach’s combat-tested sister (Anna Paquin) and Laney’s loose-cannon brother (Kieran Culkin) stand out in the crowded supporting cast that includes parents, an annoying DJ, many brainless inhabitants of the city and friends of the leads. From wild parties to peachy beach volleyball games, Zach woos and makes over Laney, climaxing in the prom and a sudden switcheroo when she finds out about the bet.
Prinze and Cook do more than go through the paces, but it’s safe to say they’re destined for better things. The latter is quite successful at the appealing character’s grubby-to-glamorous transformation, while Prinze manages to find some angles to flesh out the sometimes thickheaded Zach.
Visually, the film is skin and bones. Iscove and cinematographer Francis Kenny (“A Night at the Roxbury”) have the most fun with “Grease”-like dance numbers in the finale.
“She’s All That” Locations: East Sprague, North Division, Coeur d’Alene Credits: Directed by Robert Iscove, starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Rachael Leigh Cook, Paul Walker, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Anna Paquin, Kieran Culkin Running time: 1:35 Rating: PG-13