Orange County is not just another teen movie. OK, so there is the gratuitous "cup scene," where someone almost drinks urine that is meant for a drug test (as opposed to American Pie, where Stifler drinks a "spiked" beer).
But for the most part, writer Mike White's (Chuck & Buck) script is a refreshing change from the usual low-brow efforts aimed at the youth market.
Colin Hanks (son of Oscar winner Tom Hanks) stars as Shaun Brumder, a geeky surfer who, after one of his best friends drowns trying to ride a "monster tsunami wave," decides he needs to redirect his life into something more worthwhile than getting plastered and carving waves.
He then conveniently discovers a half-buried book on the beach. After reading it about 50 times, he decides that he wants to be a writer and study under the author, a professor at Stanford University.
The first half of the movie moves at a leisurely rate. Okay, at a snail's pace. We are talking sloooooow. The bright spots come from an all-star supporting cast, including Chevy Chase as a student council adviser who, following Shaun's suggestion of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Toni Morrison as a graduation speaker, wonders if the school can get Britney Spears.
Shaun's college counselor and his perpetually screwed-up family are what stop him from getting into Stanford on his own merits, so it's up to his drug-addled brother (Jack Black), and wholesome girlfriend (Schuyler Fisk, daughter of Sissy Spacek), to drive him up to Stanford and convince the Dean to add his name on to the acceptance list. Hilarity and heart finally ensue.
A stream of cameos from comedy veterans including Harold Ramis, Ben Stiller and Kevin Kline keep the movie humming along, but the real star of Orange County is none other than Jack Black, doing his best John Belushi impersonation.
Whether it's vacuuming while on speed wearing tighty-whitey underwear or burning down the Stanford Admissions building—again, in his underwear—Black steals every scene he's in with his expressive face and physical comedy.
The supporting cast, especially John Lithgow and Catherine O'Hara, strengthen the movie with their engaging performances as Shaun's nearly hopeless parents.
A pleasing, although predictable ending and an intelligent script also make the film an enjoyable watch. But in the end it's the light, human comedy that young people will be able to identify with that make Orange County a winner.
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