Stay Cool (2009)

Number Rolled: 68

Movie Name/Year: Stay Cool (2009)

Genre: Independent

Length: 93 minutes

Rating: PG-13

Director: Michael Polish

Writer: Mark Polish

Actors: Winona Ryder, Mark Polish, Sean Astin, Hilary Duff, Josh Holloway, Jon Cryer, Chevy Chase, Jessica St. Clair, Frances Conroy, Marc Blucas, Dee Wallace, Joanna Cassidy, Michael Gross, Ken Johnson, Jessica Schatz, Scott Michael Campbell

Henry McCarthy has been called back to his home town in order to give a commencement speech to the high school graduating class. As a best-selling author, he has enough clout to warrant the honor. When he gets back home, he finds a lot of his old teenage issues creeping up on him; bullying, unrequited love and the ire of a great many people.

If I were to judge “Stay Cool” by the cover, I would write it off as just another romantic comedy that wishes it was from the 90’s. Even just the existence of some of the starring actors in the movie would lead me to the same conclusion. I’m glad I don’t judge movies like that, though, because I thought this film was adorable.

I will grant that there were some very over-the-top characters and that it went out of its way to follow a recipe the majority of the time, but I don’t think it was really a bad thing in this case. When the Polish brothers decided to go with a PG-13 rating, I think they made a very good choice. Yes, in the R-rated version there would have been more sex and drugs to draw in viewers, but it would have compromised the quality of the film. At the current rating it forced the audience to focus on the story, which was highly relatable. At first, I didn’t enjoy it but it got better and better as the movie went on. The ending was fantastic and semi-unexpected. It wasn’t an absolutely original idea, but it was good none-the-less.

Sean Astin’s character, Big Girl, was exaggerated, ridiculous and a little hard to believe… however, I’ve had friends that look and act almost exactly like that. If those people weren’t in my life, I would likely find the part to be highly stereotypical and almost offensive. The other characters did pretty well in their parts, which is a big deal for me to say because the only movie I’ve ever enjoyed Winona Ryder in was Girl, Interrupted. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed a few of her films but it was almost always in spite of her.

Netflix’s Prediction for Me – 3.5/5

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 17%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 26%

Trust-the-Dice Score – 3/5

Movie Trailer: