American Pie (1999)

Directed by: Paul Weitz | 95 minutes | comedy, romance | Actors: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Alyson Hannigan, Shannon Elizabeth, Tara Reid, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy, Natasha Lyonne, Mena Suvari, Chris Owen, Jennifer Coolidge, Molly Cheek

Pie was never looked at the same after ‘American Pie’. The film is often compared to the ‘Porky’s’ films from the eighties because of its banal humor. But ‘American Pie’ fits better with ‘There’s Something about Mary’ (1998) where there is purposeful humor behind which a clear storyline can be found. This is thanks to the witty screenplay by Adam Herz who also worked on both ‘American Pie’ sequels.

The jokes in this movie are really hilarious. These mainly revolve around the boys’ ‘quest’ and are usually at the expense of our anti-hero Jim (Jason Biggs) but also Jim’s friends, even the annoying Stifler (Sean William Scott). The opening scene with his parents is very painful for Jim, then there is the famous warm apple pie and also a webcam incident with exchange student Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth). His dear father happily tries to support him through all the damage and disgrace, an excellent role by Eugene Levy who is also in the second and third part. Flute player Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) also lends Jim a hand. Sporty Oz, on the advice of an ‘older’ student, seeks his sensitive side in the choir where he meets the dowdy Heather (Mena Suvari). Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), the only one of the couple with long-term girlfriend Vicky (Tara Reid), is made part of an old secret by his brother (Casey Affleck) that is passed on from man to man. While Jessica, Vicky’s experienced friend, provides her with wise advice again. Poor, eccentric Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) is cured of his public toilet phobia by Stifler. Stifler himself drinks a cup wrong.

It’s often about glee in ‘American Pie’, but there is also a bit of recognizability. In the end, one sympathizes with the characters and their perils. All the characters are more mature at the end of the film, except for Stifler. The real cake lovers can see in ‘American Pie 2’ (2001) and ‘American Pie: The Wedding’ (2003) how they are doing in their further (love) life. For the third Pie alone, Shannon thanked Elizabeth, Mena Suvari, Chris Klein, Tara Reid and Natasha Lyonne. Actors Eddie Kaye Thomas and John Cho (the MILF from the ‘Pie’ series) can also be seen in the sitcom ‘Off Centre’.

Whether the goal of the friends is finally achieved in the very first part is something one has to judge for oneself, but fortunately everything ends well for everyone. Especially for Finch.