Orange County *** (2002, Colin Hanks, Jack Black, Schuyler Fisk) – Classic Movie Review 1743

Colin Hanks (son of Tom) proves a chip off the old block as an expert comedy performer, playing Shaun Brumder, a California high school surfer kid who dreams of going to Stanford University to quit his dysfunctional family and become a writer. But he’s denied his place at Stanford through an admin mixup when a guidance counsellor mistakenly sends out the wrong transcripts.

So Shaun sets off with his girlfriend Ashley (Schuyler Fisk) and his drugged-out, slobbish loser older brother Lance (Jack Black), determined to get to his would-be tutor (Kevin Kline) and get in.

Some sense of strain appears in the effort to keep this sprightly 2002 comedy going, even at this short running time of only 82 minutes. But generally the hijinks are properly silly and funny, while Hanks’s charming sense of humour keeps it genial and real. Black, Catherine O’Hara and John Lithgow (as the dad) are essential assets. But Chevy Chase as the principal, Harold Ramis and Kline are iffy, even in extended cameos.

Writer Mike White gives himself an acting role. White also wrote the screenplays for Chuck & Buck (2000), The Good Girl (2002), School of Rock (2003), Nacho Libre (2006) and Year of the Dog (2007).

Bret Harrison, Kyle Howard, R J Knoll, Lily Tomlin, George Murdock, Lillian Hurst, Olivia Rosewood, Carly Pope, Leslie Mann, Michael Aquino, Harold Ramis, Garry Marshall, Dana Ivey, Jane Adams, Daniel Farber and Ben Stiller are also in the cast.

Director Jake Kasdan is Laurence Kasdan’s son and Fisk is Sissy Spacek’s daughter.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1743

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