Existing more as a launching-pad for second-generation Hollywood talent than it does as a standalone film expected to earn the studio some ticket sales, Orange County is an agreeable, styrofoam peanut of a movie that can be watched, and actually enjoyed, without undue embarrassment.
Directed by the Jake Kasdan (son of Lawrence Kasdan) and starring Josh Hanks (son of Tom) and Schuyler Fisk (daughter of Sissy Spacek and Jack Fisk, although the smile is all Sissy's), the film spends most of its running time in the well-worn groove of the pre-gross-era "Suburban Teen Comedy" mode.
The threadbare plot involves Shaun Brunder (Hanks), an intelligent Newport Beach high-school senior with no clear vision of his future until, while surfing with his equally-directionless friends, he happens upon a book buried in the sand. Realizing that his only true path is to become a writer, he sets as his goal to enroll in Stanford and to be learn his craft under the tutelage of Martin Skinner, the book's author (an uncredited but pitch-perfect Kevin Kline). His application to the school is bungled by his school counselor (Lily Tomblin), and with the application deadline already passed, he enlists the help of his alcoholic mom (Catherine O'Hara), his sensible girlfriend Ashley (Fisk), his surfer friends, and his stoner brother (Jack Black, who precisely plays John Belushi).
A solid comic supporting cast raises the level of the film above its plot. Among the players are John Lithgow as Shaun's estranged father, Chevy Chase as the high-school principal, Harold Ramis as the college admissions officer, Garry Marshall as a school trustee, Jane Adams as the Annie Potts-like admissions-office clerk, and Ben Stiller in an uncredited cameo as a fireman.
Film Synopsis:
Rising young stars Colin Hanks and
Schuyler Fisk head up an outstanding cast including Jack Black (Shallow
Hal), Catherine O'Hara (Home Alone), John Lithgow (3rd Rock from
the Sun), Harold Ramis and Lily Tomlin in this outrageous coming-of-age
comedy.
Technical
| Video: |
Widescreen 1.85:1 (Anamorphic) |
| Audio: |
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 [CC]
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Surround [CC]
FRENCH: Dolby Digital Surround |
| Subtitles: |
English, Closed Captions |
| Chapters: |
17 |
The film is presented in a
1.85:1 widescreen with anamorphic enhancement. The video transfer is flawless,
with no obvious grain or edge enhancement, and is more than sufficient for the
film's undemanding cinematography.
Audio is presented in Dolby Digital
5.1, and has a very active soundstage. Both the rear channels and the subwoofer
get a significant workout, due in large part to the near-constant pop music
soundtrack. Dialog remains clear and distinct throughout, actually quite an
achievement in a film of this type.
The packaging is a plastic keepcase of a new variety, with the
addition of two locking tabs along the right-hand side (designed to prevent the
shrinkwrapped case from opening).
Supplements
- Audio commentary by director Jake Kasdan and writer Mike White
- Deleted Scenes:
- Lance and Durkett (1:59)
- Shaun's Fantasy (0:52)
- Rehab (0:41)
- Mrs. Cobb Fights Back (2:24)
- Interstitials:
- Peer Recommendation (0:49)
- Peer Recommendation / Annihilator (0:49)
- Tape 1 (1:00)
- Tape 2A (0:44)
- Tape 2B (0:44)
- Deep Thoughts (0:44)
- Macbeth (1:00)
- Classics (0:54)
- Salinger (0:54)
- Literature (0:39)
- Role Models (0:23)
- Healthcase (0:30)
- Romance (0:24)
- Dating Creativity (0:34)
- Theatrical Trailer (2:29)
The audio commentary of director Jake Kasdan and writer Mike White is oriented primarily at the actors. The two are enthusiastic speakers, but impart very little information about the making of the film; even given that the film is not very technically adroit, we would have preferred some discussion of the genre -- perhaps mentioning the extent to which the film was influenced by How I Got Into College or Better Off Dead -- than an hour-and-a-half instead lauding the achievements of the cast.
Four deleted scenes are included, at least two of which were rightfully cut from the film. Also included are fifteen "interstitials" (effectively 30-second commercials). Nine of these are clips which do not appear in the film, featuring Chad (Black) and the film's high-school English teacher Mr. Burke (played by writer Mike White, whose take is reminiscent of Willie Wonka's matteacher Mr. Turkentine).
Also included is a standard theatrical trailer. There are no known easter eggs.
