Book of Love

Deep down I really hoped this would be good. But unfortunately I was disappointed once again. This movie was just like every other 80's/early 90's teen flick, boring and predictable. The only difference here was that it was based in the 1950's (which in my opinion, makes it worse).

If you're into those same-old-thing teen flicks, you may like this. But if you're into modern teen flicks (like me), you'll probably hate it.

This movie is very entertaining and should be mentioned in the same context as movies such as Porky's, Fast times at Ridgemont High, and American Pie. While it lacks the perversion of those films, it makes up with a dynamite cast and a very good storyline. Its got its memorable and embarrassing moments. The party scene and the birthday candle for Shank are my favorites. If you enjoy good old fashioned high school flicks check it out.

The movie has a simple goal, and that's to make you like the under-appreciated, overlooked geek known as Jack Twiller--to sympathize with his coming of age: the awkwardness, embarrassing moments, bullies, and, yes, even pimple cream.

There is no great intellectual message, no uplifting moral to the movie. Quite honestly, it doesn't take itself that seriously, which is the entire point. This isn't an art house film, folks. It's a "kick back in your flannel jammies with some ice cream after a rotten day" kind of movie. It's a fun movie made simply to make us laugh. Stop analyzing and digging for profundity. Just laugh.

I hadn't seen this movie in years, and I was so lucky to see it by chance on Comedy Central this morning. This movie is a charmer.

Set in 1955, it covers some of the same nostalgic territory as "A Christmas Story," but it does so beautifully, with very accurate and attractive art direction.

Chris Young, Keith Coogan, Danny Nucci, and John Cameron Mitchell are all at their most attractive and charming youthful best here. The fact that the film has all of them doing good work, as well as a lot of other talented character actors, is an indication of the craftsmanship that went into this picture.

It's a portrait, a slice-of-life of our hero's last year of so of high school.

The very last minute of the picture, seeing Michael McKeen as the hero grown up, just doesn't mesh with what came before, but don't let that keep you from seeing and appreciating this film. It's a delight.

This is a pretty darn clean and wholesome picture. There may be some understandable sexual, hormonal aspects and humor here, but pretty much anyone age 14 (or 12) on up will be mature enough to enjoy this film.

It's just too bad there aren't more recent credits for Chris Young. He's sweet, charming, and sensitive here. Surely there's a place for that among roles for character actors in their 30s.

I remember the first time I saw this movie. I was about 12 or 13, starting high school soon. I was absolutely amazed with it; the story, the actors and of course,the set. As an avid fan of the 50's and the 60's in America, immediately i fell in love with the film. The cars, the music the way of life... unfortunately the only way i could experience something like that was through films(since born in late 80s,far away from the US),and this film did an awesome job in doing that. I was so thrilled with "The book of love" that I wanted to see it again the very next day,but the problem was i didn't catch the first few minutes of the film, and someone threw the papers with the TV guide from that day, so i didn't know the title...Internet wasn't that big at the time,and it's not a well known movie so hope was lost. For months later, i'd check the TV guides to see if there was any sign of it,but since i didn't know the title,I'd read the plots of any movie I'd think it could be the one, I didn't have any luck,obviously. And then, few years ago, I remembered the film...without recollecting any of the actors names, I started to google. I googled and googled and I remembered the actor who plays an adult John Twiller,Michael Mckean, and i started googling him. Finally I found it... "The book of love". Honestly, I didn't want to watch it again,although i was eager after all these years, after more then a decade. Why? As the title says, different perspectives. I knew i would see it with different eyes now. Something i once considered a masterpiece (12 year old kid,LOL) could turn up to be a complete rubbish. A film I was looking for so long, a film which once made me even more jealous about the teens from the 50's and 60's, a film which made me daydream even more about those beautiful times. What if it disappoints me now? Almost twice the age? Well, a year later I finally saw it again...Is it a masterpiece? No,far from it, but will you enjoy it? Absolutely yes if you are nostalgic for those beautiful times, I know i did. Maybe not as much as the first time,but I am sure this wasn't the last time I opened "The book of love"...