STAY COOL
Stars: Mark Polish, Sean Astin, Josh Lucas, Winona Ryder, Chevy Chase, Hilary Duff, Dee Wallace, Michael Gross | Written by Mark Polish | Directed by Michael Polish
Henry, a 30-something author of a popular novel, returns to his hometown to deliver a speech at his former high school. Despite his success Henry’s return home has sparked all of the youthful dreams, desires and disappointments he’s never quite gotten over. Between run-ins with the principal, the friends he left behind, the former girl of his dreams and a seductive senior (Duff) who clearly has the hots for him, Henry is sent spinning through a time warp that incites all the old emotions and challenges of the world he grew up in.
When I was sent the press release for Stay Cool I was torn – much was made of HIlary Duff’s role in the film, but at the same time the movie also starred Sean Astin, Lost’s Josh Lucas, Winona Ryder and 80s icons Chevy Chase, Dee Wallace and Michael Gross; plus it comes from the Polish Brothers, the guys behind the critically acclaimed Twin Falls Idaho and The Astronaut Farmer. So ignoring my instincts I thought I’d take a look at the film… turns out I should have trusted my instincts!
Imagine if you will a John Hughes film lensed in the style of a mumblecore movie with sitcom-style stereotypical characters, made by amateur filmmakers who have no idea what made John Hughes’ films so great. That’s Stay Cool.
The cast all, apart from Winona Ryder (who “acts”, like she does in every film, as Winona Ryder) seem to be trying to play against type: Sean Astin plays a bleach blonde, mincing, bitchy gay stereotype whilst Josh Lucas’ acts like a stereotypical stoner hippy who needs a wash – you have to wonder if they were trying to out-do each other in the worst performance stakes; Chevy Chase is playing the same character he does in Community, only without the laughs; and Wallace and Gross are just completely wasted as Henry’s parents. Bizarrely the one reason I didn’t want to watch the film – Hilary Duff – gives the best performance in the entire film. When she’s on screen the film feels more vibrant and less like a dull day at the office which says more for her personality than the films script.
As for the script, the dialogue is terrible, the pacing is weak, and the film suffers heavily from Lord of the Rings syndrome – multiple endings! Even if you’re a fan of the Polish Brothers previous work I doubt you’ll find anything to enjoy here.
Stay Cool is out on DVD from Metrodome on Monday January 30th.
