The Boyfriend School

The on-screen chemistry between Jami Gertz and Steve Guttenberg is excellent in this movie and it is this chemistry which makes the movie so appealing. Not a blockbuster movie, but one which can be enjoyed for the fact that it is a pleasant feel good story. Jami Gertz is particularly good in this film , it is a shame that she has not appeared more often in the late 90's apart from her appearance in "Twister". Great performance also from Shelley Long.

The Boyfriend School has to be my favorite comic novel of all time, followed closely by Kotzwinkle's Midnight Examiner. I was disappointed that the screenplay told the story from Gus's point of view, which removed the element of surprise that made the novel so wonderful. Gretchen got turned into an "Emily," when one of her self-esteem issues had to do with her name.

And what happened to Juanita? I loved Juanita! I can't bear to talk about what was done to the character of Trout. However, the casting of the main characters, Lizzie, Gus, and the newly christened "Emily," was excellent. I'm waiting for a remake from the point of view of Gretchen. The novel is still at the top of my list and lying in permanent repose on my nightstand, with a "loaner" copy available for my friends.

An overweight cartoonist (Steve Guttenberg) who has just finished with chemotherapy after almost dying of cancer quickly falls in love with Jami Gertz. Gertz is dating super-jerk Kyle MacLachlan though and honestly she has no attraction to Guttenberg. Guttenberg is the best person you can find though and unfortunately his inward beauty is not matched by his physical appearance. Older sister/novelist Shelley Long looks to change that though by turning Guttenberg literally into someone else physically and proving that Gertz is as superficial as she appears. This will of course give inspiration for a new book, but what happens when Gertz falls for Guttenberg? And does she fall for him because of his outward appearance, his inner-beauty or both? For the genre not bad at all, but still unremarkable all the same. The performers are all basically more at home with slapstick comedy or television sitcoms. Though kind of dumb and never too intelligent, the movie still has an admirable heart. Fair little date night movie, but once again nothing overwhelming. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

The Boyfriend School? This movie was originally titled Don't Tell Her It's Me. It was a better title and for the movie better, I don't know why they changed it.

I remember watching this movie when I was a mere slip of a boy. I really enjoyed it, as I recall. Granted, the plot was sort of hard to believe, but I think the storytelling more than made up for it. This is definitely a good movie. It's good to see if you're wanting a pick me up, because you'll walk away just smiling and thinking, "Yes, all is right with the world". It's bad to see if you are lacking a significant other, because you'll walk away with this wistful feeling in your heart, thinking, "I wish that were me". Seriously. In any event, I advise renting it.