Loser *** (2000, Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari, Greg Kinnear) – Classic Movie Review 1500

Jason Biggs and Mena Suvari reunite in 2000 after American Pie (1999) for a softer option.

Co-producer/writer/director Amy Heckerling’s movie is a mild, bitter-sweet teen romantic comedy. Biggs plays a hard-working, rural upstate hick-from-the-sticks, who comes to New York City for college. There he is mocked as a loser by his more sophisticated roommates (Zak Orth, Thomas Sadoski, Jimmi Simpson), who promptly oust him from their group. But Biggs finds true love when he helps a fellow student (Suvari) who tries to commit suicide while having a misbegotten affair with their caddish, married lecturer (Greg Kinnear).

A slimmed-down Biggs is quite charming in this often-appealing little movie, which is quietly enjoyable for all its shaky, off-colour moments. It hides a sweet heart under its dark, pessimistic surface. Kinnear does well to flesh out his character, especially considering his condescending professor part is so unsympathetic.

Dan Aykroyd, Colleen Camp, Steven Wright and David Spade co-star.

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© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1500

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