Can't Hardly Wait is a 1998 American teen romantic comedy film written and directed by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont. It stars an ensemble cast including Ethan Embry, Charlie Korsmo, Lauren Ambrose, Peter Facinelli, Seth Green, and Jennifer Love Hewitt, and is notable for a number of "before-they-were-famous" appearances by teen stars. The story takes place at a high school graduation party.
The film received mixed reviews from critics. It grossed a total of $25 million at the North American domestic box office, against a production budget of $10 million. The soundtrack peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Concept[]
The story takes place at a high school graduation party and in a style much like that of the high school movies of the 1980s. The filmmakers were inspired by their observation that in most teen films the best scenes were the party scenes, and decided to make a movie set entirely at a party. Though the film deals in common high school stereotypes, some favor its chaotic but appealing mise-en-scène and performances.
The film takes its name from The Replacements' song of the same title, from their 1987 album Pleased to Meet Me, which plays over the film's closing credits.
Plot[]
Set in 1998, in Los Angeles, California, recent graduates of a suburban high school, Huntington Hills High school, attend a huge graduation party at one of their wealthy classmates huge house while her parents are gone for the weekend. While at this party, some relationships end, while new ones form, dirty and devastating secrets are revealed and old scores are settled at the party of Huntington High century.
- Seven hours later, Preston finally boarded a train to Boston. Amanda wrote him a letter for every day that he was away. They are still together.
Cast[]
- Ethan Embry as Preston Meyers
- Jennifer Love Hewitt as Amanda Beckett
- Lauren Ambrose as Denise Fleming
- Peter Facinelli as Mike Dexter
- Seth Green as Kenny Fisher
- Charlie Korsmo as William Lichter
- Robert Jayne as Richie Coolboy
- Michelle Brookhurst as Molly Stinson, party host
- Joel Michaely as Geoff Piccirilli, X-File #1
- Jay Paulson as Murphy Pelan, X-File #2
- Chris Owen as the Klepto Kid
- Jason Segel as Matt, Watermelon Guy
- Clea Duvall as Jana
- Jaime Pressly as Beth, Girlfriend #1
- Tamala Jones as Cindi, Girlfriend #2
- Jennifer Lyons as Rachel, Girlfriend #3
- Channon Roe as Jake, Jock #1
- Sean Patrick Thomas as Ben, Jock #2
- Freddy Rodriguez as T.J., Jock #3
- Erik Palladino as Cousin Ron
- Donald Faison as Dan, Love Burger drummer
- Paige Moss as Ashley
- Eric Balfour as Steve, Hippie Guy
- Selma Blair and Jennifer Paz as the Girls Mike Hits On
- Sara Rue as Earth Girl
- Nicole Bilderback as Ready to Have Sex Girl
- Leslie Grossman as Ready to Have Sex Girl's Friend
- Marisol Nichols as Groupie #2
- Vicellous Reon Shannon as Carl, Reddi-wip Kid
Uncredited appearances[]
- Jenna Elfman as the angel stripper
- Jerry O'Connell as Trip McNeely
- Melissa Joan Hart as Vicki, the yearbook girl
- Breckin Meyer as Walter, Love Burger lead singer
- Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont as voices of graduation students
- Amber Benson as Stephanie, the stoned girl
- Jennifer Elise Cox as Mary, the crying drunk girl