MovieChat Forums > She's All That (1999) Discussion > Terrible acting, no chemistry

Terrible acting, no chemistry

posted 8 years ago by chocolcrazy
6 replies | jump to latest

Don't hate me on this, because I am honestly, seriously confused. Maybe it's because I've only watched this movie now (more than a decade later) that I'm not able to truly appreciate the movie, but this movie didn't seem like... anything. Am I missing something? Many people are praising Cook's acting, but to me she was more wooden than anything. I know that her character is supposed to be like this bitter, ostracized art nerd, but she seemed like a variation of Daria than anything else (and Daria was much wittier). Her character felt lifeless. And even at the end, where she had supposedly changed and was more emotionally available, I still felt nothing from her. Yeah, she threw some smiles here and there, but they felt empty. Prinze's character just seemed so morose throughout the whole thing. I figured he was just sad all the time - it didn't even occur to me that he had started developing serious feelings for Laney, and I was only clued in on this fact much later in the movie, when it was nearly ending (the prom scenes). Zack just seemed to drop by often, and Laney was just gradually becoming more tolerant of him. I didn't feel any chemistry at all. Again, I was so confused as to what was happening throughout the whole film due to the consistent non-reaction of both characters.

I don't know, maybe I'm missing something. Maybe it's my failure as a viewer to recognize the emotional hints or whatever. Maybe I should watch it again? Many people claim that this is a great movie, or an actually OK movie, and other posters on the IMDB board have pointed out the deeper implications of this film. But as for me, I seriously think this is a lackluster film. It's something you just put on the screen to fill in the noise, and even though you steal a few glances at the screen every now and then, the movie never catches your attention enough for you to actually decide to follow the story.

Believe me, I didn't want to dislike this film. I really tried to like it, but no. :/

Thoughts? Do you agree, or disagree, and why?

Edited 'cause of grammatical errors.

[–] Jshjshjsh 8 years ago

Just a badly acted teen movie that had a cool feel and young stars. The writing wasn't great, direction nothing special. Acting pretty wooden. I honestly feel though that at least Cook was trying to find her character. Freddie was just totally empty. There was no emotion or feeling in his eyes. It's like what no to do while acting lol.

[–] see14 8 years ago

I have just seen this movie for the first time and I totally agree with you. Earlier this evening I watched "10 things I hate about you" and I absolutely loved it, I was in the mood for watching more "90's easy teen romance movies" so I looked for one with a pretty high rating on IMDB (for this kind of movies I mean) and this one showed up. I could not be more disappointed!!!

The script was pretty bad but the acting was just terrible. As you pointed, there was not chemistry at all. I know the characters and roles on this kind of movies are pretty flat but I felt like they were just inanimate. I could not appreciate a single emotion on any of them (not love, not passion, no pain... just nothing).

At the end of the movie when Laney friend tells Zack what Dean was planning and he runs away (and it is supposed to be an intense moment) I was just looking at the screen without any expresion on my face because I could not believe the acting was so bad.

And don't get my wrong, I have seen Freddie Prince Jr. in many other movies and, even if he is not a great actor, he can do so much better that I was just shocked to see how bad it was :S

[–] lazy_abby 8 years ago

I agree with you. I recently watched this movie, and didn't get to watch it back then when all my friends were raving about it. I should've watch back then, because I feel like I'll appreciate it more.

I still feel Mean Girls is the best teen movie out there. The script and the actors' comedic timing is perfect!

[–] Jshjshjsh 8 years ago

No Clueless is where it's at, Mean Girls is probably 2nd. 

[–] Stratego (30822) 5 years ago

I completely agree.

[–] BOandBarbecue (2264) 2 years ago

yes you are corrects. and it is why this film dont work.

this film was conceive as rip off of 1987 film call 'Can't Buy Me Love'. the writer/director of this film admit this in interview. this film is basically reboots/remake of that film.

if you want to watch good version of this shit film, watch 'Can't Buy Me Love'. it actually have good actor in it who both have good chemistrys (Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Petersen).

these type of story ("shes all that") do not work with shit actor like freddy prince junior. it only work if you have actor with talent!