I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009) User Reviews

Not gold, but not trash as some are making it out to be

[Smells_Like_Cheese · 6/10 · 12 July 2009]

Now the way I'm reading all these comments on IMDb, people are acting like this was absolutely the worst movie of all time. Honestly, I love you Beth Cooper is not going to be one of those high school movie classics by no mean, but I didn't feel like my time was wasted watching it. As predictable and silly as it was, I still think this was a decent enough movie that got a few good laughs. I mean, who hasn't wanted to go all out on their high school class and just mock them on the last day of school? Not to mention get the hottie of their dreams in the same night that has them just living life to it's fullest. I think that over all the film worked, there were certain things that were flawed in the movie like the script could have used a few touch up's here and there and the cast did seem a little off. Paul Rust, it's kind of disturbing that he not only looks but is 28 years old and then you have Hayden Panettiere who looks 12 years old, it was a little… well, you get the idea. But still I think I love you Beth Cooper had it's moments enough to make you just sit back and forget reality for 95 minutes.

When a geeky high-school valedictorian throws caution to the wind by expressing his love for a popular cheerleader during his graduation speech, life finally starts to get interfering for Denis Cooverman who may have brains to spare; it's guts that he lacks, or at least, he did until today. Stepping up to the podium to deliver an inspirational speech to his graduating class, Denis decides that the time has finally come to call out his classmates on their peccadilloes and declare his love for the prettiest girl in school, Beth Cooper. Much to Denis' surprise, Beth responds by accepting an invitation to a party at his house later that day. But Beth's meat head boyfriend Kevin is none-too-pleased that his high school prize is mingling with the biggest dweeb in school, and when Kevin shows up at his house and tears the place apart in a fit of rage Denis, his best friend Rich, Beth, and her friends Cammy and Treece all pile into Beth's car and flee for their lives. For four long years Denis sat silently behind Beth in class, pining for a way to make his love known. Now, over the course of one long night, Denis will finally get to know the girl of his dreams better than he ever thought possible. If he manages to survive until morning, it's sure to be the story of a lifetime.

There were times that I absolutely laughed out loud like when Beth's psycho boyfriend kept going after Denis and just beating the heck out of him each time. Also seeing how Denis was reacting to all of Beth's "flaws" as a law breaking crazy party girl that he never imagined, only the sick fantasy as he has her picture blown up and taped over his bed. I think just the cast, the script and the characters needed work in order for this to be a great movie and that's why everyone is freaking out and saying how this is the most horrendous movie ever, either that or they're taking it too seriously. I think if you just let go and have a good time, you'll get a few laughs out of this movie, it's all in good fun and sometimes we need those silly high school flicks to either fantasize or bring us back to the good old days where getting a pimple at prom seems to be your scariest problem in the world. I love you Beth Cooper is worth the watch but more so wait for the rental vs. theater, it's just an average teen comedy.

6/10

An alright comedy.

[Jerique · 6/10 · 24 November 2009]

In your typical teen comedy there comes the standard, "we must lose our virginity" and "gross-out" scenes and lots of pop culture references. In I Love You Beth Cooper, there is none of that. It's a real love story laced with some funny things to say.

Denis (Paul Rust) gives a final speech as he graduates and proclaims his love for Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere) while doing so. He also has some fun by telling the entire class about some of the other flawed students. To his surprise, Beth and her two friends, are the only people, aside from his friend Rich, who come to his party.

I liked this movie for a lot of reasons, but most of all because it wasn't like American Pie, Superbad, or Road Trip. It had some heart to it and it wasn't just a bunch of teen comedies with a bunch of nudity and sex. I loved the fact that Hayden Panettiere was the main role and how she was the fantasy girl that every guy dreams of being with, but still a down-to-Earth girl.

There's tons of jokes, that aren't idiotic. There's a lot of fun and changing of scenes in this movie and a lot of romantic moments as well. I think the movie would be amazing if it had some sort of moral or real ending. I'll let you figure out what I mean by that. But I don't think the ending is satisfying.

It's an entertaining film, and if you're in the dawn of graduating or have just you'll probably love it. If you're a couple years shy of graduating you may not relate as much. I think I liked it even more because I graduated recently.

Surprisingly Bad & Unfunny

[prodbabies · 4/10 · 11 July 2009]

After seeing a trailer that seemed to have promise I was rather surprised at how much this film lacked any laughs. This fault lies with the directing and editing. The actors seemed to give performances up to that of any other teen comedy, but the timing of the whole movie was off.....and in comedy, timing is everything! The fact that the story has little character set-up and uses every cliché stolen from numerous comedies before it does not help the ill paced scenes.

I managed to leave the theater without requesting my money back, but you know when people in the audience are having full conversations during a film, it is hardly holding anyone's attention.

Pass at the B.O. and only rent it on DVD if you have an unlimited plan and are running out of things to see.

not the worst but lead is problematic

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 21 November 2014]

Valendictorian Dennis Cooverman (Paul Rust) gives the craziest of all graduation speech. First he proclaims "I love you, Beth Cooper". Beth (Hayden Panettiere) is the hot popular cheerleader. That's before his speech makes enemies. He even declares that his best friend Rich Munsch (Jack Carpenter) is gay. He invites her to his graduation party. It's only him and Rich but then surprisingly, Beth shows up with her girlfriends Cammy (Lauren London) and Treece (Lauren Storm).

This movie really struggles with Paul Rust as the lead. He's a geeky looking guy but not nearly adorable enough. He's quirky but not that funny. The character really demands to be played by a faux-geek rather a real nerd like Rust. Hayden Panettiere's character is not somebody on a pedestal. She's a little bit complicated and that's a good thing. The problem is that she's not the lead. Rust is the lead and he can't carry the movie.

I didn't love you, but I liked you, "I love you, Beth Cooper"

[moviesaccordingtodes · 7/10 · 1 October 2014]

"I Love You, Beth Cooper" opened with an extremely awkward scene, Denis (Paul Rust) confessing his love for Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere) during his valedictorian speech at his High School graduation. It was so awkward. I was so uncomfortable and embarrassed for him; it made me cringe. I didn't want to look but I just couldn't look away. The awkwardness was lightened with a few very funny remarks made during the speech. Luckily this was the only awkward humor. I don't think I would be able to handle a whole lot of that.

My favorite character was Rich Munsch played by newcomer Jack Carpenter. He was very funny with his random, homosexual comments then insisting he is not gay. Naturally I loved his movie references throughout the film.

"I Love You, Beth Cooper" was very stupid but so very amusing. There were countless moments when I laughed out loud. There were hilarious moments such as a towel battle scene, a fight scene with Carpenter jumping out a window as means of escape, and a scene involving a terrifying raccoon.

Though it was stupid and funny there were a lot of serious moments. The two main characters played by Rust and Panettiere did a lot of talking with their eyes. They understood personal and profound moments the other was going through. Oddly enough they had a great connection.

Though the acting wasn't fantastic, it wasn't a downfall for the film.

I am absolutely shocked to say this but I thoroughly enjoyed watching "I Love You, Beth Cooper". I would recommend it for a good laugh.

Unfunny, Unoriginial, And In Terrible Taste

[Jackpollins · 1/10 · 11 July 2009]

The new comedy, I Love You Beth Cooper stars Paul Rust as Dennis, a nerd, who at graduation simultaneously insults everyone who's harmed him, and tells Beth Cooper (Hayden Pannetiere) that he loves her. This was suggested by his closeted gay friend, Rich (Jack Carpenter). Rich is a character in extremely terrible taste, although he has the only funny part where his character has been training to hurt someone with a wet towel. There is one part in which I had no decision but to automatically hate it right then and there. The part is the fact that Dennis tells a school bully he's so mean because he was probably sexually abused as a kid. Later in the film, he admits he was sexually abused. Director Chris Colombus makes it seem like you're supposed to laugh at this kid when it's actually extremely depressing. I can't believe director Chris Colombus, director of Home Alone 1 & 2, Only The Lonely, and Adventures In Babysitting gave us this turd. I don't even want to talk about this movie anymore. I hated, hated, hated this movie. Skip it.

What Did Critics Expect?

[dfeenz · 7/10 · 14 September 2009]

Come on, this is a high school comedy the way they used to do them back in the '80s! This is not John Hughes territory, as you might be led to believe upon seeing "Home Alone" director Chris Columbus at the helm. No, this is another breed of '80s comedy. This is more "Three O'Clock High" than "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," which is not necessarily a bad thing, depending on your taste. The humor here is broad and unsophisticated, for the most part, but fits with the brisk pacing and sunny tone of the film. This movie invites you to have a good time along with the cast. It throws you in the middle of a heightened reality/unlikely scenario (most geeks do not suddenly grow a pair and profess their love for the hottest girl in school during their valedictorian speech) and beckons you to simply enjoy the ride. While the films of John Hughes endeavor to depict a realistic panoramic view into the teenage mind, taking stereotypes and turning them inside out, this film, and its grandaddy "Three O'Clock High" do not carry such aspirations. They are fantasy, pure and true, and are all about having a good time. If the characters are two dimensional, so what? If the plot is threadbare, so what? Character development and story arc are not reasons to see a movie like "I Love You Beth Cooper." This is just a classic homespun yarn, taking place in Anywhere, USA, about a geek who outsmarts a bully and gets the girl. If you expected more, you're going to be disappointed. This is the kind of movie that could work just as well as a cartoon. It's a zippy, predictable ride from point A to point B, but the journey is not lacking in entertainment value. If you, like me, are a fan of "Three O'Clock High" and on many-a-day would watch it over "Bueller," then you're in for a treat because this is practically a remake albeit with the addition of a love interest.

I don't know why I wasted my time...

[emilyc1351 · 2/10 · 12 July 2009]

Just awful! This movie should have just gone straight to DVD instead of hitting the theaters. Everything about this movie was awkward. It seemed as if they wanted to put Hayden P. in the movie so they could get some people to go see it, but unfortunately it was just a disaster. She deff. shouldn't do "funny" movies, because just watching her trying to be "funny" made me want to cry. The guys in this movie were very amateur, I just hope they didn't waste too much money making this film because it probably would have been better if they had gotten' a few bums off the street to play these ridiculous characters.

I should have known better before even going to see this film because most of these movies-the nerds getting with the popular girls-is just so unreal esp. for high school. I'm getting so sick of it!

A Nutshell Review: I Love You, Beth Cooper

[DICK STEEL · 7/10 · 7 September 2009]

Thumb through a video store catalog, and there are a dime a dozen of many teen comedies out there that you'll be hard pressed to find something that either didn't deal with hard partying, road trips, one crazy night of post-graduation party, self-discovery, friendship and the likes. In fact, I Love You, Beth Cooper, has almost all those cliché moments filled with stereotypical characters, but under the direction of Chris Columbus, this story by Larry Doyle actually came across in quite enjoyable terms, thanks to what I thought made the movie – a line that was uttered upon stark realization, and the fear as expressed by the titular character, which made it quite distinct and standing out amongst the competition.

But first, the crazy premise that became the catalyst of everything laid out in the film. Imagine if you're nursing a huge crush on the school flower and have absolutely no guts to go introduce yourself to her. On what's effectively the last day of school, as valedictorian, you seize the opportunity to express your feelings toward her, as suggested by your best friend, lest you allow not doing so become the largest regret of your life. You buy the idea, and declare your love (yes, even if you have no iota of that person's character at all) to her in front of the entire school and witnessed by teachers, peers and parents, while at the same time, insulting your enemies. So on one hand, you crafted some mindshare into the object of your desire, and on the other, you've made a slew of enemies ever ready to bay for your blood.

So it becomes one crazy night for Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) and his best friend Rich (Jack Carpenter) who has to battle his school reputation of being gay, while getting acquainted with Beth (Hayden Panettiere) and her posse Cammy (Lauren London) and Treece (Lauren Storm) when they turn up for his un-happening graduation party, before proceeding to show him and Rich what could possibly be the wildest night of their lives, especially for the nerds. It might seem like the usual revenge of the nerds styled comedy with its set pieces, but it is not about getting the girl and riding into the sunset, or about getting laid as most teen comedies seem to be obsessed with these days. In fact, it's more about surviving through the night, given the determined pursuit of a psychotic, buffed up boyfriend (Shawn Roberts) high on drugs, while getting to know one another.

While Larry Doyle had fueled the story with plenty of stereotypes, such as the rich proud bitch, the lead cheerleader who's all sugar and spice, the military-jock boyfriend of hers, the nerds, the bimbo posse etc, what he managed to do as the film progressed, is to smash those stereotypes away, well most of them anyway. What was ace in the film, were the key characters who you'd probably identify with amongst yourself or your peers. Paul Rust brought out the everyday average brainy teenager without being too whiny or irritate the heck out of you, and you'd find yourself rooting for him despite the many loser-type situations his Denis got himself into. Panettiere would be familiar to fans of TV series Heroes, and her cheerleader is sans powers except that her Beth drives her car like a maniac and managed to stay alive at such throwaway recklessness. And the character which I thought was the icing on the cake, was Jack Carpenter's Rich as the movie buff spouting and enacting countless of movie dialogue and references, while reliving a classic movie moment from Robin Hood.

But all those aside in a story that unravelled itself in one night. Two aspects of the film made it a winner for me. The first was when Denis uttered "You're not Beth Cooper". That hit like a sledgehammer because it represented so succinctly the kind of affection that Denis had for his crush - based on a very superficial exterior, without any inkling of who the person exactly is, which of course sets up plenty of pitfalls as that exterior got stripped away every moment he spent those crazy times with her. That perfect being sprung from his unilateral imagination is far, very far from the real thing.

The second is when Beth expressed her fear of the unknown, which is something that really brought out the sincerity of the character. Her shenanigans for the entire night got addressed, and did allow Beth to be a tragic character of sorts, knowing her place in this materialistic, pragmatic world where her "talent" or lack thereof, sent shivers down her spine knowing that her crazy-cool persona could no longer hold water once outside the confines of the high school community.

These are precisely the moments that sold, and I was indeed surprised since what I was in for, was one of those mediocre run off the mill teen movies. Larry Doyle's story had a lot more undercurrents going for it than many would have liked to believe, and Chris Columbus, through a no-frills style, had delivered just that, allowing one to find balance in being entertained, as well as having some takeaways for further mulling over.

Strictly for unsophisticated teenagers

[Turfseer · 1/10 · 7 October 2009]

To confess, I normally would not go and see a film like 'I love you, Beth Cooper' but given the choice between Larry David's 'Whatever Works', 'The Taking of Pelham 1, 2,3, or 'Cooper', I chose the latter on a recent Jet Blue flight. While not as juvenile as 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian' or unimaginative like the recent 'Get Smart' retread, 'Cooper' wins hands down as perhaps the least charming comedy in the last decade.

'Cooper' begins as we're introduced to the film's protagonist, Denis Cooverman, who, as the high school valedictorian, is called upon to present the valedictory speech to his fellow graduates and friends and family at the high school commencement. Cooverman manages to insult most of the student body, including his best friend who he accuses of being gay as well as admitting that he is a complete loser. He also pathetically expresses his obsession with the film's love interest, Beth Cooper, a sexy blonde whose I.Q. is probably close to Paris Hilton.

The story has nothing to do with Cooverman getting out into the world after high school but rather follows his misadventures (along with his best friend, Jack T. Carpenter, who has a penchant for quoting favorite movie lines) in the hours after their graduation. Surprisingly, Beth and her two buddies show up at Denis's parents' house after he invites them to a 'party' where he and Jack are the two lone hosts. Beth is trying to get away from her coked-up boyfriend, Kevin, who apparently is a member of the Armed Forces.

Denis and Jack do everything they can to convince the girls that they are complete losers and one keeps wondering when they are going to turn things around. Denis loses his first attempt to prove he isn't a wuss when resident psychopath Kevin trashes his parents' home and almost decapitates the valedictorian with a sword. Kevin, by the way, appears to be a crude, unfunny combination of a 'roid induced military brat and frat boy gone wild. There is little character development for any of these non-entities, especially Kevin, who attempts to beat Denis up at every turn since he is basically your classic stalker who cannot stand the thought of anyone hanging out with his beautiful girlfriend.

Our hapless nerds flee Kevin and his thugs in a car driven by Beth and the action turns to some lame escapades in the woods including Denis and Beth being chased by a raccoon and Beth ramming Denis' parents' car while his parents are in the middle of making love inside the vehicle. At one point Jack points a rifle at Beth's friends and we wonder if we're about to witness the inappropriate spectacle of someone getting shot in the middle of a film that's supposed to be a comedy.

After Jack somehow fends off Kevin and company by hitting them in the testicles with a wet towel, the boys somehow convince Beth and her friends that they're not the complete losers the girls at first perceived them to be. Jack manages to bed Beth's friends to prove he's not gay but the lame joke is that the best he could accomplish was a premature ejaculation. Denis gets 'serious' with Beth at dockside blurting out that he no longer perceives her as a bimbo but rather a 'real person'. Beth of course falls for the crap and plants a sensual kiss on Denis' lips. Somehow the film's scenarists tout this as a big victory for their nerdy protagonist who is quite content to go no further with the sexy Beth. Speaking of Beth, she loses points for driving drunk all over town but the eyes of the creators of 'Cooper', the Paris Hilton wannabe, is beyond reproach.

There's nothing wrong with writing a comedy about a teenager-protagonist who is socially awkward. But when that protagonist exhibits the same unpleasant traits (such as acting as a stalker) which are attributed to the film's antagonist, little entertainment can ensue.

For all those you disliked this film as intensely as I did, take heart that according to Boxofficemojo.com, 'I love you, Beth Cooper' had a production cost of $18 million and a total worldwide gross of $15 million. For once, the film-going public trusted their good instincts!

Negative reviews are wrong

[day_andy · 10/10 · 27 September 2009]

The opening speech, which is painfully hilarious, sets the tone for this movie.

I went into this movie knowing the plot and knew I couldn't expect too much.

I laughed constantly throughout the movie, if i wasn't, i was smiling. There's lots of original comedy in this movie even if it is about a nerdy highschool boy trying to get the hottest cheerleader.

For what this movie is and what it tries to be, its got 10/10, lets face it, it's not trying to be Dead Poet's Society.

I would recommend this to people I know, saying its SO much better than all the reviews out there. I think its classic. 10/10(it couldn't be any better for what it is)

"I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER" -- Can a Nerd rehabilitate himself via Public Comments? =

[jimchudnow-1 · 7/10 · 9 July 2009]

"I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER" -- Can a Nerd rehabilitate himself via Public Comments? = This is a mildly charming, generally sweet Chris Columbus film seemingly mainly aimed at a teenage audience (which seemed to "relate" to & enjoy it, according to the audience I was with). Nerdy high school valedictorian Denis (PAUL RUST), urged on by his best friend Rich (JACK CARPENTER), gives a graduation speech in which he makes comments about numerous classmates— calling one stuck-up, one a bully, one gay, & one – Beth Cooper (HAYDEN PANATIERRE) – as being the object of his love. With a hidden agenda (including upsetting her current ROTC boyfriend Kevin – played by SHAWN ROBERTS), Beth & 2 girlfriends (Cammy, played by LAUREN London, & Treece, played by LAUREN STORM) show up at Denis' grad party. As the girls & guys spend time together, there are the "usual" high-jinks-- getting drunk, driving badly, fighting, making out, etc. It's not especially clever or funny, it's not very boisterous, but you end up understanding & "pulling" for the "good guys". The decently-acted film achieves what it sets out to do (namely, make some gentle observations about the difficulties in growing up).

I Can't Stand You, Beth Cooper.

[anaconda-40658 · 2/10 · 29 July 2015]

I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009): Dir: Chris Columbus / Cast: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack T. Carpenter, Shawn Roberts, Lauren London: Morbid teen comedy about infatuation. A nerdy valedictorian announces his lust for Beth and what follows is an evening of reckless driving and violent encounters with her much bigger ex-boyfriend. Predictable trash as if anyone cares whether these two unite. Why is Chris Columbus directing this? For a guy who brought us the first two Home Alone and Harry Potter films as well as Mrs. Doubtfire and Rent this just seems beneath his talent. The only benefit is the fact that he hasn't directed a film of this nature before but did it have to be a teen flick of this level of dread? He is far too talented for this. Hayden Panettiere plays an irresponsible bimbo who shouldn't be driving. Beth Cooper is basically eye candy with the personality of a can of hair spray. Paul Rust overacts as her suitor in typical pursuit fashion. Jack T. Carpenter plays his gay best friend who denies his sexuality. Shawn Roberts plays the embarrassing ex-boyfriend. Lauren London and Lauren Storm have the misfortune of playing Beth Cooper's airhead friends. None of this is particularly thrilling and seems bent on presenting mindless humour that is more irritating than funny. Bottom line, if you love Beth Cooper, you may be too easy to please. Score: 2 / 10

Do not waste your time

[duggam · 1/10 · 9 July 2009]

I will preface this review by saying that I walked out on it 45 minutes in. That being said, I knew that the movie was going to be bad in under five minutes. The director seemed to be working off lots of cringing awkward moments that were not the least bit clever. I had to leave when it was certain that all the characters were going to stay in their very simple formats. The main character is awkward, his friend is badly presented as closeted gay, the main girl is sweet and a little crazy, her friend is a slut, and the other one had not done anything by the time I left. All the gags were obvious well before they were presented so I do not recommend this in a format where you cannot fast forward.

Flawed but Harmless Fun

[Caesarboy5 · 7/10 · 29 October 2013]

If you're planning on watching some really top grade comedy films this is not your movie. But if a friend of yours harmlessly asks "wanna watch "I Love You, Beth Cooper"" don't say no.

Its problem is that It's a fun movie that just seems like it could have so much better. The film's script, heavily based on the critically acclaimed novel, noticeably benefits from its smart humour. Unfortunately, the humour doesn't play out that way the whole time because of some bad line delivery. This is probably the director's fault. The material in the script seems like the kind of material that could have benefited a lot from good execution and its just a shame. It was the kind of humour that could have been quoted from a cult following for ages to come. Ala Wayne's world and mike Myers.

The bad line delivery is also a fault of the cast, that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, notably the girls.

What it comes down to, is the film is a cheesy PG-13 teen comedy that works, just not to its full potential. There are a lot better movies out there, but I still enjoyed the movie.

It gets a seven out of ten.

I didn't love you, Beth Cooper at all! You're a horrible movie! Also, the source material kinda sucks, too.

[ironhorse_iv · 5/10 · 7 May 2016]

I must admit, that the main reason I watched this movie was because, it feature actress Hayden Panettiere. After all, I was a huge fan of her work in NBC's TV Show, 'Heroes' at the time. However, after watching this film. I can't say, I have the same fandom for her as I did, coming in. Don't get me wrong, she wasn't bad in the film. It's just that, her character is very unlikeable, with all the reckless drunk driving, law-breaking and floozy behavior. I'm surprised that she didn't get arrested by the time, the film ended. It was really hard to watch. However, the side boob nudity shot, kinda ease that pain, but not really. Directed by Chris Columbus, and based on the novel of the same name by author, Larry Doyle. This high school teen angst dark comedy about valedictorian Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) having one night to confesses his love for head cheerleader and long-time crush, Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere), before both of them, leave for separate colleges, was not good. It's not even that watchable. First off, I really couldn't stand, the main character of this film. He was very unpleasant. Without spoiling the movie, too much; the way, he goes around, confessing his love for Beth Cooper is just wrong. To make it, every worst, Paul Rust's character is also a big stalker, and Peeper Tom. It's kinda creepy, how much he know, so much about Beth Cooper. Not only that, but he's a big bully, despite his small size. He is very mean-spirited to the other characters in the film, no good reason. Making fun of people for having eating disorders and sexual, mentally or physical abuse as a kid is not funny! Not cool, dude! He even outs his best friend, Rich Munsch (Jack T. Carpenter) for not 'coming out of the closet' and admitting that he's gay. Who does that, to their best friend!? It's so bad! Denis had no right to expose Rich's question homosexual against his best friend's wishes. It's Rich's rights to explain if he's gay or not, not Denis. I also hate the fact that Rich's sexuality is a running gag, throughout this film. It's so annoying, like Rich's overused IMDb quoting. All, the jokes with him, were really not that funny! Despite that, Jack T. Carpenter's character in the film, is the most pleasant from all the characters. Honestly, I don't know, why this guy hangs out with a loser like Denis. I'm so surprised, that Denis even got friends, before & after the opening. Plus, is that, really the best way to impress, the girl, you never talk to, by exposing deep dark secrets about people around school, Denis? Honestly, if she did find Denis, somewhat attracted, before-hand; his hateful speech should had really destroy any chances of them, ever getting together. Sadly, that's not how this movie works. In an unrealistic turn, this speech help bring Beth and Denis ever closer. What the hell, movie!? Nobody would do that. At least, have a slap or backhand, first, before she says, it was kinda cute. In what crazy universe, would somebody be alright, with this? They should be, hating each other, by now. If anything, maybe, they can fall in love when things die down, after Denis admitted, what he did was wrong, but no, the movie doesn't do that, either. So, both Beth and Denis look like asses. Anyways, the chemistry between the two main actors, Hayden Panettiere and Paul Rust doesn't really shine in this film. I never got the impression that their characters honestly would like to hang out with each other. Their relationship seem kinda, out of the blue and forced. Sadly, the movie doesn't really explained more about it, besides the late lake house scene. Most of the time, the movie has the couple move place to place, for predictable slapstick humor. Another thing, the age different between Hayden Panettiere and Paul Rust is also a bit jarring. I really couldn't get behind, a then 28 year old, Paul Rust playing a high school student. To make it, even worst, Paul Rust overplayed, the geek stereotype to the point, that it seems like Beth Cooper was a manic pixie girl, made up for him. The filmmakers also doesn't do a good job, showing the glaring imperfections that should had shatter Denis' fantasy of her. The whole Beth revealing to Denis, the true reason why he came to his party, scene, should be more powerful; instead, it seem surface deep, and shallow. It should had really sealed their fate with each other. Since the movie doesn't do that, much, it doesn't allow, enough time for Denis to see, Beth as a flawed human being. It gets even worst, when the filmmakers felt to make Beth more positively outwardly responsive to Denis's feelings. It remind me, so much of 2015's Paper Town in how much, the filmmakers destroy the meaning of the source material. However, the other big significant changes, toward the end, indeed work for the better. I really like, how they cut the whole alternated ending, swimming scene. For the most part, the movie is very accuracy to the book, but since this movie was PG-13, a lot of the raunchy humor from the novel, had to be tone down. Because of that reason, alone; it forced the comedy writers to relied heavily on establish film teenager stereotypes. Because of that, the film became very clichés. In the end, nobody in the movie looked real. This movie was a disaster. The movie humor acts like this film should be adult teen-comedy like 2007's 'Superbad'. Instead, the filmmakers felt to make it safe, allowing many of the once risky jokes to fall flat. In the end, it's just unfunny. A dark pain cringing, lame movie, not worth watching.

Why the hell have they paired up a schoolgirl with a 30 year old..?!!

[GirishGowda · 7/10 · 3 April 2010]

A nerdy valedictorian proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school – Beth Cooper – during his graduation speech. Much to his surprise, Beth shows up at his door that very night and decides to show him the best night of his life...

That was the plot of the story. I was very surprised at the things Hayden did on screen as Beth Cooper. I mean she acts so mature in all her interviews & is a good role model for so many young girls. Why did she do what she did in the movie. I mean, the nude scene & some cussing. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie. She looked very young to be a valedictorian & the nerd, Denis Cooverman, frankly looked like he was 30 (& he is 30) & it was very uncomfortable seeing him with her on screen. I know she's not a schoolgirl, but she sure looks like it.

All those things aside, this is a very fun movie. This is not going to be one of those high school film classics, by any mean, but I didn't feel like I wasted my time watching this. The ending scene with Beth & Dennis on the lake & she's expressing her fear of the unknown in front of her was very moving. Who wouldn't feel like that at least slightly when they are as popular as Beth Cooper was in high school.

I love Hayden Panettiere in the TV series HEROES & I liked her performance here. They should have put a younger actor with her to play Denis.

7/10

NOTHING like the book, HIGHLY disappointing.

[sonicsphinx · 3/10 · 12 July 2009]

My friend and I had both read the original book released in 2007, and couldn't believe they were making a movie of it. We arrived anticipating a few censor ships on the more graphic scenes, but over all a faithful rendition; we could not have been more wrong.

We were HIGHLY disappointed in the movie "I Love You, Beth Cooper". It was pretty much nothing like the book; only the character names were the same and the same basic plot. They cut out all the best scenes: The end of the book when they're all at the cabin and Rich puts on the bear skin rug and holds the gun, the part when Dennis and Kevin fight on the boat in the lake and Dennis almost kills Kevin, and the part when the police show up. Also, Hayden Panettiere blew chunks as Beth Cooper and played her totally wrong. However, Paul Rust and Jack Carpenter were spot on, they saved the movie. Some scenes were exactly how i pictured them, like when they crash into the parents' car, or when Greg Saloga makes amends with Dennis.

All in all, I'd say if you read the book, you'll be sorely disappointed in this movie, and if you didn't read it, or you have an affinity for Hayden Panettiere, you might enjoy it.

Very pleasantly surprised

[steveorr-01599 · 7/10 · 2 December 2021]

Usually, the most this type of movie can get from me is five stars. They are all pretty much boiler-plate, and I usually hate the nerds and the hot babe equally.

This was not the case here. Rust and Carpenter came off as more "normal" and less annoying than say Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse or Jay Baruchel. Panettiere was indeed beautiful (could have used a toning up for head cheerleader role, though), but she was not some aloof, unapproachable/unattainable b****.

I genuinely liked the characters and didn't find the story as annoying as usual. This makes it a cut above.

Ignore the preview - it's not funny

[girllovesmovies27 · 1/10 · 23 July 2011]

**May contain spoilers* I was shocked to watch this film and see for myself just how awful it really is. All attempts at humor flop. I was off-put by a number of things. The girls that are Beth's friends- I couldn't figure them out. Nothing there? The boy that is the male lead's friend- why make such a big deal over his sexuality? That gets in the way of the main storyline. Rather than it being an incredibly fun or funny night, it's painful to watch this trainwreck. Normally I like Hayden, but this film is not normal...it's undefinable. I didn't buy him seeing the real girl beneath the Beth Cooper popular girl facade. How can he "know" her like that? Feigned depth where there is none-only surface knowing. I guess I mean to say the preview itself was better than watching the movie itself.

A risqué spin to the teenie comedy...fun and with flare

[Robert_duder · 8/10 · 24 August 2009]

I Love You Beth Cooper will never be heralded by critics. But as usual that never means that it isn't worth seeing. With a film like this you must look at the key demographic which in this case is the new generation of teenies both male and female who are far more racier than ever before requiring the maturity of shows such as Gossip Girl and films like this as opposed to Princess Diaries or even Mean Girls. Beth Cooper is a fantasy for geeks and teen boys everywhere and for girls its just a fun ride with the cool girls. It doesn't boast intelligence or even a moral really in fact I think ultimately it shows that the object of teen infatuation is often not what you dream her/him to be. There is some honest attempt at making the more vapid characters see the errors of their ways but the characters are already vapid and shallow and that is the only way to portray them so to have them have any sort of epiphany defeats the purpose of the vapid and fantasy driven movie. Does that sound negative? Its not. Most people go to films to escape reality, to have a fantasy away from their own lives and Beth Cooper is the perfect escape for teenies and those of us who miss our teenage years.

Movies, time and time again, have made us believe that the geek/nerd/less than great looking guy can get the hottest girl on the planet let alone in the school (Breakfast Club, Transformers, She's All That (girl to guy in that case)) but actor Paul Rust might take that to a new level. I mean not to harp on the guy like a high school bully but his character and performance defines high school "loser." He looks the part, acts the part, and is just the perfect blend of every level of nerd anyone ever knew...or was. He might even take it over the top BUT he is still a character you will absolutely feel compassion for and somehow relate to. Jack Carpenter is Rust's ambiguous best friend. He is used sparingly surprisingly but is still fun and easy to like. Rust and Carpenter also have great chemistry with each other. If you didn't like Hayden Panettiere prior to this movie...her performance as Beth Cooper won't help. Her performance is not bad by any means but her character is vapid and empty. She is the definition of the cool girl, leader of the school type. If you were never attracted to Hayden Panettiere before guys...you will be after this movie...perhaps inexplicably. So with no real charisma to her character she still is watchable to the utmost. Lauren Storm and Lauren London are her slutty, and even more vapid best friends that are two of the dumbest character (intelligence wise) in the history of movies. Finally the steroid ridden muscle bound bully played by Shawn Roberts does a decent job considering his only real role is to grunt, growl and smash things. Watch for a really fun cameo by Alan Ruck (legendary Cameron from Ferris Bueller) as Rust's Dad.

None of the actors in this film are bad except for Shawn Roberts who has virtually no role. The girls are pretty faces and bodies with some good solid lines but with absolutely no depth to their characters. Panettiere gets more depth but barely and only because she has more screen time. The two main guys Rust and Carpenter are the only characters worth really getting to know and they are funny and silly and chaotic with lots of physical comedy and one liners. The plot of the film though is a ferocious howl of a one night romp across the city making it the best night of the two guys' lives. I have never read the book and maybe it is better but this silly, unintelligent little movie entertained me a great deal. Maybe that makes me a little unintelligent but sometimes shutting your brain off and going for a little adventure makes it all the more fun. 8/10

I Don't Love You, Beth Cooper

[iwishicouldthink-1 · 14 July 2009]

By my recollection this is only the second high school wide release film of the year (the other being the equally unoriginal 17 Again). Yet, despite it not being worn thin this year, the high school genre needs major help. It's a time of life that is of significance to everyone. Obviously, for some it is much more prominent than for some others. But at that time, the world seems magnified as never before. Why has no film been able to even come close to capturing that sentiment? Of course there are some that are brilliant The Last Picture Show, Dead Poet's Society, than there's ones that don't really have all that much to do with high school like Rushmore, Boyz N' the Hood, and oldies like Rebel Without A Cause and a huge collection from the 1980's with Say Anything being the strongest of the bunch, but over the course of cinematic history this genre, more than any other, has been completely butchered. The last ten years has been the worst. The main problem is that every high school film has it in their head that there is this hierarchy that simply does not exist. I don't know if it ever did, but in my life and my frequent conversations with others on the topic it has been confirmed that it doesn't. Perhaps, in the 1980's there was such division. There were these groups of nerds, jocks, losers, weirdos and, well, the "it" girls. Maybe these groups collided in the ways we still see in films, you know, swirlies, and locking freshman in lockers, and wedgies too. Jocks are always dumb. Always. Nerds are always picked on and they never ever get the girl. Ask Duckie. "It" girls are vicious, hate everyone, especially their parents and their best friend, they usually have a really bad life and that's why they hate everyone and all they want is someone to listen to them. Losers are stupid too, like jocks. Pretty much you're either stupid or a nerd getting your ass kicked. Thing is, high school is nothing like that. Valedictorians are not always nerds. They don't even always give speeches at graduation commencement – I know, what about that mandatory valedictorian speech scene. Jocks can be smart. Yes, a human can exist that is both athletic and academic. I've seen it myself. I know, they might have to reinvent the whole formula. Nerds sometimes drink alcohol other than on the last day of high school. Yeah, I know, I don't know how that required "nerdy kid" cutting loose scene is going to happen then either. Sure, they're are groups in high school. Some kids you're friends with and others you're not. Sure some kids are smart and some are good at sports but it seldomly if ever defines their entire being. Thing is, adolescents are not one-dimensional people that resemble how they're represented in the twenty year formula that Hollywood has been using, subbing in new role players as they age. The fact that nothing that happens in I Love You, Beth Cooper would ever happen in real life isn't that big of a deal if not for the fact that a good movie about the topic deserves to be made. One not at a boarding school, one that doesn't involve drug addiction, one that doesn't involve being in a gang – one that is just a simple story of what it is really like at that moment when life is changing for everyone you know. That decisions that you're too young to be making end up dictating the years of your life that you haven't really even thought out. Where's that film? It could still be funny. It could still have a beautiful actress on the poster. It would certainly make more money that I Love You, Beth Cooper will. That film doesn't exist during any moment of Beth Cooper. Nor does a plot-line you haven't seen, a character you ever met in real life nor one you haven't met in film, an original line of dialogue, or anything than justifies its existence as cinema.

E @ A Reel Perspective

I'll take the surreal over the real

[hsoj_porrah · 7/10 · 8 May 2011]

A college flick exposes a film to a fair bit of comparison and criticism, but I didn't find it merited for this awkward and quirky movie - genuinely funny moments, good scripting and acting.

Interesting that some reviewers expected so much from a high school comedy, especially those who are disappointed when the movie follows "unbelievable" plot lines - Perhaps there's an audience out there for a dry, minute by minute High School take on "Big Brother", but as for me, I'm grateful for a High School comedy that doesn't take itself, or the High School setting so seriously.

Perhaps not legendary but novel enough and funny enough to warrant a night in front of the goggle box.

Don't save the cheerleader, save your money!

[phillymjs · 4/10 · 12 July 2009]

I can usually find -something- to enjoy in nearly every movie in the "high schooler hijinks" genre and its "nerd pursues and gets the popular girl" sub-genre, but not even a brief flash of almost- nudity on Hayden Panettiere's part made this movie remotely worth the price of admission or the time I spent watching it.

Putting Alan Ruck in your high school movie and having him reference other great high school movies does not add credibility points to it. It just makes me want to go home to watch those great high school movies to get the taste of this one out of my mouth. Laughs were few and far between (mostly spoiled in the trailer and commercials), and far outnumbered by awkward and just plain uncomfortable-to-watch moments. There was a pointless filler scene that in my opinion was meant to evoke Wayne's World, and another scene had a horribly obvious dialogue edit that was clearly made just to bump the movie down from R to PG-13. It also sends some horrible messages to young, impressionable viewers-- I sound like my parents here, but I'm not kidding. Don't be surprised if you hear about some kids getting killed doing something they saw in this movie.

Verdict: This movie couldn't decide if it wanted to be raunchy or sweet, and tried to alternate between the two every so often. Judd Apatow seems to be the only guy in Hollywood these days who has the touch to pull that move off, because the people responsible for this train wreck certainly didn't.

Wait for unrated DVD rental, or cable.

Beauty and the Geek - the movie

[Torpian · 5/10 · 25 October 2009]

'I Love You Beth Cooper' is a teen comedy that gently pushes a few boundaries but doesn't really do anything new. It is based on the book of the same name by Larry Doyle. Unlike the book though, this film never really captures the same atmosphere and leaves you wanting more from the characters. Unfortunately, due to some poor timing many of the jokes fall flat leaving the film to stutter instead of flow.

The film does pick up pace midway through the 2nd act however ultimately there isn't anything overly likable about the geek. A touch of reality may have made his character more believable but it seems the director prefers sight gags over substance. Some of the locations work well to build the atmosphere, but the dialog just feels too cheesy and forced to make you feel comfortable enough to just go with the story.

Hayden Panettiere is really the only reason you would watch this. It isn't hard to see why Denis would fall in love with her Beth - I kept thinking I'd probably do the same if I went to her school. I found her character to be very credible and I enjoyed every scene she was in.

If you like Beauty and the Geek and you're a fan of Hayden, this is worth watching. More music, faster - wittier dialog and more character development would have improved this ten fold.