I Love You Beth Cooper | DVD | Widescreen

     Buffalo Grove High School valedictorian Denis Cooverman (PAUL RUST) has had quite an academic career...on paper, at least. Superlative student, conscientious young gentleman and patently obvious dork, Denis has played it safe and made it all the way to graduation day without ever having really experienced some of the joys of higher learning: breaking curfew, destruction of property, over-consumption of alcohol, fist fights, late nights, fast cars or faster women (actually, women of any sort). But all of that is about to change, and all by uttering five little words: "I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER.] High school valedictorian lives life finally.

    Director Chris Columbus (Home Alone, two Harry Potter films, Mrs. Doubtfire) has a way with the young folk. I Love You, Beth Cooper is a light, frothy high school romp that showcases teen angst and manages to deliver some real belly laughs. Hayden Panettiere, star of Heroes, has the time of her life as the title character, riffing on the stereotype of Popular Girl with Hidden Bad Streak. As her lovelorn would-be suitor, Denis, Paul Rust is both nerdy but pretty fearless in his acting and in his pratfalls. Denis decides to announce his long-held love for Beth from the podium as he delivers the high school valedictory speech. Beth, initially horrified, decides she can have some fun with Denis as a worshipful accessory. Along the way, each learns a little about who the other person really is--and yes, there are some "growth" moments. But the fun is in the vixen Beth and the dorky Denis interacting. Denis