We first rented this at Blockbuster - original release - while looking for a good teen flick. Despite it featuring no big name stars, it is an EXCELLENT teen movie. Actor Gary Hersherger (his title changed later in adult life to Garrison Hershberger) is wonderful as hapless Sam, struggling to cope with his family's constant moving around, to finally settle into high school life with REAL friends for a change.
Robert Krantz is absolutely delicious as conniving sexter, Nick Thurster, who at first appears to successfully manipulate Sam over Sam's fathers motel 'Paradise Motel', for use of the honeymoon suite for all of his not-so-secret sex romps. He kind of reminds me of actor William Zabka through character persona; bullish, conniving, and heartless. The way Kranz maneuvers his unsuspecting harem is downright delightful. What guy in HS DIDN'T we know as a self-proclaimed Don Juan/Romeo? And Jonna Lee Stack (Laura) is the perfect squeaky clean prom queen all the guys adore. Her screen chemistry with Hershberger is dead-on.
J.J. Cohen, and Rick Gibbs are equally tasty as Nick's hapless hucksters. I remember Cohen quite well. This film is actually one in several odd/eclectic teen movies that he costarred during the 80's. Often confused with Jeffrey J. Cohen of "The Goonies" fame, he obviously switched to name initials only, to avoid further confusion. I always liked Cohen. And he plays his role very well here; very believable as the teen-virgin (quite opposite movie snucks he's usually portrayed).
If planning a movie night complete with popcorn and a group of friends - this is the one to watch. A real keeper :)
