Well high school is over so the only thing left to do is throw a big party. And of course everyone shows up, the cool kids, dorks, jocks, and every other subdivision of high school life. All this and Mike Dexter (Peter Facinelli), the coolest guy in school, just broke up with his girlfriend Amanda Beckett (Jennifer Love Hewitt). In a stoke of genius Mike decided his beautiful girlfriend would just get in the way of all the college woman he'd soon be dating.
The news of the breakup couldn't be better for Preston Meyers (Ethan Embry) who's leaving town tomorrow and has been infatuated with Amanda for the past 4 years. Preston has longed for Amanda ever since he discovered they both liked strawberry pop-tarts. After deciding fate has provided him the opportunity to finally land the girl of his dreams, Preston sets out to give Amanda a letter describing his feelings at the party.
Also attending the soiree are Denise Fleming (Lauren Ambrose), Preston's moral support and Kenny "Special K" Fisher (Seth Green) a want-to-be-black white guy who's looking for some action. William Lichter (Charlie Korsmo), the class nerd, goes to the party seeking revenge on Mike for all the harassment he received during school.
After many a missed chance to give his letter to Amanda, Preston gives up and leaves the party. While on the phone with Barry Manilow in the parking lot of drive in burger joint he runs into a stripper dressed like an angel (Jenna Elfman). She feels sorry for Preston and tells him her theory on fate. With renewed determination Preston vows to return to the party tell Amanda his feelings.
Can't Hardly Wait (for it to end) is a bad movie. For the most part it plays like a cross between Say Anything and American Graffiti, although it falls light years short of matching either. It's neither a realistic nor funny look at high school or life there after. Sure there are a couple of funny scenes but nowhere enough to fill this seemingly never ending party.
Another problem is Preston, who is completely unlikable. He spends 90% of the movie whining and lamenting about the unfairness of Amanda choosing Mike over him. On top of that he's too cowardly to take action to remedy the situation. I found myself wishing Preston would get his ass kicked at the party.
Can't Hardly Wait is a directionless and pointless movie. It jumps rapidly from scene to scene but nothing ever happens. With the dozens of songs playing throughout it's almost as though they made a movie just so they could release a soundtrack. This film didn't entertain or make me feel nostalgic about my high school days, it was a waste of time.
Official Can't Hardly Wait Page
Image From Columbia Tristar