Review of I Love You, Beth Cooper

I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009): Dir: Chris Columbus / Cast: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack T. Carpenter, Shawn Roberts, Lauren London: Morbid teen comedy about infatuation. A nerdy valedictorian announces his lust for Beth and what follows is an evening of reckless driving and violent encounters with her much bigger ex-boyfriend. Predictable trash as if anyone cares whether these two unite. Why is Chris Columbus directing this? For a guy who brought us the first two Home Alone and Harry Potter films as well as Mrs. Doubtfire and Rent this just seems beneath his talent. The only benefit is the fact that he hasn't directed a film of this nature before but did it have to be a teen flick of this level of dread? He is far too talented for this. Hayden Panettiere plays an irresponsible bimbo who shouldn't be driving. Beth Cooper is basically eye candy with the personality of a can of hair spray. Paul Rust overacts as her suitor in typical pursuit fashion. Jack T. Carpenter plays his gay best friend who denies his sexuality. Shawn Roberts plays the embarrassing ex-boyfriend. Lauren London and Lauren Storm have the misfortune of playing Beth Cooper's airhead friends. None of this is particularly thrilling and seems bent on presenting mindless humour that is more irritating than funny. Bottom line, if you love Beth Cooper, you may be too easy to please. Score: 2 / 10