Bart got a room

A Fury of the Film Fan review

          I hated high school. I mean I really, really hated high school and the idea of spending my after hours with the people I hated was an idea that brought shivers down my spine. I didn’t get what the big deal for prom was. Do you really need to spend money to try to impress the same people you're stuck with for 4 years. I sure didn't and I sure as hell didn’t need this night to lose my virginity. But apparently Prom is a big deal for a lot of people and this is why every other year we get some lame teen romp telling the same old story. You know it; you’ve seen it a dozen times. Boy is a loser, Boy needs a date to the Prom, Boy learns there’s more to life than some bullshit dance and grows just a little more that day.

         Danny Stein is your cliché protagonist for a prom story. He’s shy, unattractive and a complete bore.  Prom’s coming quick and Danny just can’t seem to land a date. While his divorced parents are looking for their own love they try to help Danny get a date when it comes out that the school’s biggest loser, Bart ,not only got a date for the Prom but a room too.

    What follows is a very, very predictable story that trudges along and moves at about the same speed as the many elderly neighbors that surround Danny. Of course Danny’s quest would be over if he just realized his best friend Camille (Alia Shawkat) was ripe for the picking but Danny selfishly focuses more on securing a hot date to ensure a great memorable photo at the end of the night.

                                                           Bart must not prevail

      Danny is neither likeable nor incorrigible. We know how this story will play out and the movie leaves nothing to the imagination. BUT, there is something that saves this film from being a complete waste of time. William H. Macy plays Danny Steins father, an internet chat room hounding, Jew fro rocking divorcee who will do anything to help his son out. This is by far the single saving grace of this film as Macy delivers a character that steals the show in every single scene.In fact, I would have preferred a movie dedicated to his character instead. Maybe a film about him in the pursuit of love in all the wrong places. Hell, he could have been a certified Leisure Suit Larry. His character is just great and made this movie rather enjoyable despite the predictable storyline and poor pacing of the film.

   There's just nothing that really stands out aside from Macy's performance. Danny is surrounded by enablers who only try to point him in the right direction instead of giving him a good wake up call. Over and over they suggest Camille as the go to girl he should take while watching him fail with girls that are way out of his league.  I must admit I laughed often when Danny found himself misunderstanding the opposite sex, I mean , who hasn't ? That just never gets old.

      Director Brian Hecker did a fine job keeping the story centralized in a single town, showing how claustrophobic these areas can feel and how much pressure a child could face during these events.  Hecker shows real promise in future films, mainly utilizing the real talent and allowing them to bring their best. If he can tighten up his writing and present a more original story then he’ll be on his way to making some great films. Right now, Bart got a room is merely ok.

     ** 1/2

(Bronze Fury Award)