The original and still the best

Launched in 1999 American Pie can be credited with starting off the teen movie genre, which to this day is still one of my all time favourites.

The story starts with Jim (played by Jason Biggs) performing an intimate act with very embarrassing consequences. This is the best opening scene of any film, and whilst cringe worthy it is pure genius.

The opening scene sets up the rest of the film perfectly as the audience are introduced to four friends being Jim, Oz (played by Chris Klein), Kevin (played by Thomas Ian Nicholas) and Finch (played by Eddie Kay Thomas) make a pact to become ‘men’ and lose their virginity by the time they graduate from high school.

There are 2 rules. It must be consensual (alcohol is not allowed) and prostitution is forbidden. Other than that it is each man for himself.

The clever part of this film is that each character sets off with a different game plan.

****Jim****

Jim has no real game plan and goes about it in a haphazard manner. He is fortunate enough to catch the eye of a foreign exchange student, Nadia (played by the stunning Shannon Elizabeth) but everything goes horribly wrong when his chance is ‘blown’ as he plans to broadcast Nadia in the buff to his school mates over the internet.

Jim becomes the laughing stock of the school and he fears that all is lost. He does, however, manage to secure a date for the graduation prom Michelle (played by Alyson Hannigan). Little does Jim know what hides behind the geeky exterior of Michelle.

****Oz****

After a failed date with an older college girl Oz realises that he needs to be sensitive and listen to the needs of women.

Consequently, Oz decides that romance is the key and joins the school choir, being an “un-tapped” resource, which he tends to exploit. Things go better than expected and Oz actually falls in love with Heather (played by Mena Suvari) and the romance extends beyond the graduation prom.

****Kevin****

Kevin is the only one of the characters with a girlfriend, Vicky (played by the stunning Tara Reid) so he has the upper hand from the beginning, or so he thought.

Kevin applies more and more pressure on Vicky and their relationship looks in doubt. Kevin manages to make amends using the ‘whirl wind’ and everything is good again.

****Finch****

Finch bribes the school gossip, Jessica (played by Natasha Lyonne) and gets her to spread some favourable rumours. Everything is going well until Stifler (played by Sean William Scott) plays a nasty prank resulting in Finch having to use the girl’s bathroom.

After relieving himself Finch exits the toilets and comes face to face with the whole school in the corridor.

After sharing a drink with Stifler’s mom in the snooker room at the post graduation party Stifler sees something that is going to stay with him for a long time and Fich is not going to let him forget it.

****Other characters****

There are loads of other characters, all of which make this the great film it is.

One character that sticks out in my mind is Jim’s dad (played by Eugene Laverty). Jim’s dad is a role model father hell bent on helping his son through the difficult teenage years by buying Jim top shelf magazines and condoms, much to the embarrassment of Jim.

****Overall****

This film attempts to deal with the (perceived) big issue of losing your virginity in a comical but informative way.

It promotes safe sex, and dictates that you should respect each other, you should not pressurize each other and that love is the key.

At first glance it appears that Jim’s one night stand contradicts this but once you watch the sequels, the imaginatively named American Pie 2 and American Pie 3, you will see where this fits in to the trilogy.

I agree that Finch’s episode with Stifler’s mom is a bit far fetched but it adds another dimension to the film and adds to the comedy value. It would not be the same without it.







 (Originally posted on Dooyoo under the name of Yackers1)