Filmic FOMO
Oh, that Superbad, that super, super, somewhat bad 2007 film that spawned, or launched, or squirted out a thousand imitators. Well, maybe ten or so, but it sure feels like a thousand. Supercool, the subject of this review, and an entry in the 2021 San Francisco International Film Festival, is a tag-along that desperately, and I mean desperately, wants to get into the big kids’ party. It’s the lonely, undersexed, over-analyzed teen with a gawky face, messy hair, and a loopy gait who spends all night looking for the party, only to find it’s been broken up by the cops.
Still, the film does have a few charms, and more than a few moments of genuine comedy and emotion.
Our duo of twitchy teens this time around comes in the guises of Jake Short as Neil, and Miles J. Harvey as Gilbert. Two mid high-school guys ever relegated to longing for the hot girls and kvetching endlessly about it from their seat mid-school bus. Jake is an illustrator who pines for Summer, played by Madison Davenport, who, unfortunately seems cast more for her Emma Stone-ness rather than much else. Jake, as any horny teen illustrator with an iPad and half an imagination will do, sketches retro porn style intros featuring Summer inviting him into her bed through different situations. Jake’s a good kid, obviously, so he’s conflicted, and more than a little embarrassed, but hey, he’s a horny teen dude, so he can’t help himself.
His pal Gilbert brings the empty bluster, and at least can have a five-minute conversation with a girl before he turns the topic to sex, and the girl runs away. He’s a #metoo moment just waiting for 20 years worth of rejection.
Jake is white, and Gilbert is black, and while the film pains, and pains, and pains to portray their love for each other, it misses chance after chance and after chance to address the rarity of their bond. It’s especially frustrating that, in this BLM era, the film doesn’t at least give them one scene to talk about it. I kept wishing the script, by Olli Haikka (with others) could break out from behind Superbad by finding some comedy in the obvious opportunity to update the genre by finding some comedy in our important, but definitely fraught BLM and #MeToo moments.
So, back in the film, Gilbert explains that any wish muttered at 11:11 at night (on a specific day? date? Not clear, and, where’s a good, old-fashioned Spinal Tap reference when you need it) will come true. So, of course, that night, Jake wishes for a chance with Summer. Several leaps of logic later, Jake wakes up with the face of Zak Steiner. If you click the link, you’ll have no trouble believing the best line in the film: “How does it feel to be the guy who everybody wants to fuck?”
The film’s best moments ensue at school the next day, as Jake-with-Zak’s face enters a whole new world of acceptance … except from Gilbert, who rightfully is skeptical that this pretty-boy is his bestie.
Enter another of the film’s problems – the rapid-fire banter between Jake and Gilbert that means to cement their bond, but that it is delivered so quickly it’s literally hard to understand. As you would expect, good looks open lots of doors, so the pair are invited to a super-exclusive party, and away we go with the rest of the film.
Suffice to say that if you’re looking for a film that reminds you of Superbad at every turn, complete with bumbling cops, complicated neighbors, and the boy eventually getting the girl, check it out. You won’t be disappointed, or surprised.
The film’s Finnish director, Teppo Airaksinen, has said his movie is “Superbad meets Ladybird” which I’m guessing he’s had to repeat a thousand times, but which doesn’t really apply here, as Jake and Gilbert’s relationship seems to compete with, not complement, the farcical comedy occurring all around them. Airaksnien’s other titles include The Ceiling, The Stick, Juice, and 15 episodes of “Downshiftaajat (Downshifters),” that’s billed as “A successful thirty-something couple find themselves at a financial dead-end. They are faced with an extreme life-style change to pay for their debts.” Now that’s something I can get excited about!
Supercool does have some high points, mainly Damon Wayans Jr. as a 30-year-old Porsche salesman living in his dad’s basement (movie right there), and the most excellent Odessa A’zion as Jake’s sexual-spectrum exploring sister.
With today’s peak TV content popping up everywhere all the time, it’s hard to see how Supercool breaks through, but if you’re jonesing to hang with Superbad’s try-hard European cousin Supercool, then check it out.
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A wide release date for Supercool has yet to be announced.
