A Comedic Story of High School Crushes 

What if you were a nerdy guy who never really had much fun in High School except in science class sitting behind the girl of your dreams, Beth Cooper? And… what if you are given the chance at your High School commencement ceremony to proclaim your hidden love? Do you take the chance or let life go on as usual, always regretting that day? Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) does take that chance and what he discovers is that ‘dreamy’ Beth Cooper has faults, just like all the other kids in High School. Beth Cooper, (Hayden Panettiere) who discovers that it’s really cool to be admired from afar, actually learns a few lessons from the nerdy science guy and all of this happens in one night!

The story is based on a novel by Buffalo Grove High School student, Larry Doyle.  The High School name in the film has been changed to Buffalo Glen but the film is based on the city of Buffalo Grove in the northern suburbs of Illinois.  The opening graduation scene is supposed to replicate the High School gym. Filmmakers also mention Harper Valley College a couple of times although most of the set locations were actually filmed in Canada.

“I Love You, Beth Cooper” does have some very funny scenes, but it also has some very slow moments and they are redundant ones. When Denis declares his love for the head cheerleader, Beth Cooper, he also decides to call out his friend (who he thinks is gay), the school bully and the girl who is a stuck-up spoiled brat. Of course, this doesn’t go over too well with the people involved but eventually the tables turn around in his favor as he’s really stating the truth.

Unfortunately, Beth’s violent boyfriend, Kevin, played by Shawn Roberts is on furlough from the Army. He doesn’t take to kindly to Denis’s speech as he’s called out as, ‘The old loser who can’t get a girlfriend his own age.’ The majority of the film centers on Denis being chased by Kevin and his two goons. We wince as he’s constantly being attacked, outnumbered and beaten up without mercy. Somehow, he manages to outsmart Denis in these repeated scenes, although there are way too many.

As High School films go, this one has an almost unfathomable story line to begin with. It’s more of a fantasy story than reality.  The characters aren’t given much to work with via the script and the plot. It’s more of an idea for a film that needed to be expanded.

Sarah Adamson © 2009