Stay Cool (2009)

An author who returns to his hometown to deliver a commencement address to a class of graduating high school students has to deal with his feelings for an old flame as well as the advances of a student who has the hots for him.

Director:

Michael Polish (as Ted Smith)

Writer:

Mark Polish

Stars:

Winona Ryder, Mark Polish, Sean Astin

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Winona Ryder	...	Scarlet Smith
Mark Polish	...	Henry McCarthy
Sean Astin	...	Big Girl
Hilary Duff	...	Shasta O'Neil
Josh Holloway	...	Wino
Jon Cryer	...	Javier
Chevy Chase	...	Principal Marshall
Jessica St. Clair	...	Darcy Portola
Frances Conroy	...	Mrs. Leuchtenberger
Marc Blucas	...	Brad Nelson
Joanna Cassidy	...	Mrs. Smith
Dee Wallace	...	Mrs. McCarthy
Michael Gross	...	Mr. McCarthy
Ken Johnson	...	Mr. O'Neil
Jessica Schatz	...	Mrs. O'Neil

Storyline

The film centers on a successful author who is forced to confront an unrequited high school crush when he returns home to deliver a commencement address to graduating seniors. Shasta O'Neil, a sexy high school senior flirts with the visiting author and invites him to the prom. The film is described as a "knowing-your-age comedy".

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Plot Keywords:

high school | author | book | speech | short haired woman | 

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Taglines:

Shoulda. Coulda. Woulda.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language including some drug references, and for some underage drinking

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the opening narration, the writer refers to past acquaintances by category. He refers to "soon to be out of the closet gay guys" as the picture focuses on a high school photo of a "Phil Morris". Phil Morris is the name of Steven Russell's (Jim Carrey's) male love interest and title character in I Love You Philip Morris (2009).

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Quotes

Scarlet Smith: I'm a pharmacist.
Henry McCarthy: That's good.
Scarlet Smith: It's depressing, handing out anti-depressants.

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Connections

References A Clockwork Orange (1971)

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Soundtracks

Before You Try To Kiss Me
Written by Jono Brown and Jaco Caraco

User Reviews

Badly written pointless obsession with high school

I rented this movie with on the expectation that it might be an intelligent comedy with some good actors. Unfortunately it turned out to be badly written garbage. And what is it with this North American obsessions with high school?! If you're 15 and you're obsessed with high school that's... I guess kind of normal, especially if you're of limited mental capacity and rather self-obsessed. But if you're 40 and you're still obsessed with high school, then I'm sorry, but there's something seriously wrong with you! The point of high school is to help young people connect with their own abilities, and to help make them aware of aspects of the world beyond their immediate existence. The point of high school is NOT to serve as a paradigm for the rest of the students' lives. And, as I say, if you're well into the middle years of your life, and you still are mainly focused on self-image and relationship issues left over from high school, then you seriously need to do something about your problems. And DON'T watch this stupid movie.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Stay Cool

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Initiate Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1