Musings on SuperBad and Whatnot

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So, I finally got around to seeing the critically acclaimed ‘SuperBad’ which actually opened on my birthday last week. I had high hopes for it, as it seemed to be my generation’s version of ‘Porky’s’ mixed with a hint of ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ and blended with a bit of ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’. However, it’s got a pretty hoppin’ soul-infused soundtrack of 70’s styled funk. Anyway, it’s a story about two awkward, white, high school seniors named Seth and Evan. They’re best friends who have had rotten luck with the opposite sex. Doesn’t make things any better considering their ungodly nerdy tag-along pal is an anti-girl magnet in every sense of the word. They are all desperate to achieve the great fabled gift of American youth, getting laid.

The movie ends on a subtle note, we’re left to wonder what becomes of Evan and Seth as they part different ways for college. Their friendship has endured through a hectic night of drunkenness, wayward cops, and failed sexual encounters. But, they made it even though they’ll have to say goodbye as they depart for college. Yes, it easily leaves room for a sequel but I think it’s fine without one.

I suppose a lot of awkward youths out there can relate to this film, especially us goofy freaks and geeks who never performed well with the ladies in high school. Yet, we still trudge on, thanking our own same sex friends who somehow always stood by us. We great losers and nerds who carry the banner of involuntary celibacy and our insane hours spent playing World of Warcraft.

The film brings back a lot of awkward and regretful high school memories for me, usually my own blundered encounters with that oh so holy gender, girls. Being too scared to kiss a girl, too afraid to discuss sex, unsure about approaching a girl I liked, and just train-wrecks all around. I’ve always had awful luck with girls, and I’ve tried my hardest to win so many over. For my senior prom, I figured I’d ask this one girl I sort of liked via song. So, I organized a little something with the choir teacher during her choir class. I sang a very butchered version of West Side Story’s ‘Maria’ but replaced Maria with her name while he accompanied on piano. The whole choir class liked it and applauded happily, and while she said she’d go with me, I knew it wasn’t in her heart. She went with a dim witted soon-to-be-Marine who would later try to have sex with her, much to her displeasure. I still remain friends with her, but she continues to date complete jerks.

But that’s just my life, and I’m sure there are plenty of nerds who have had not a shred of romance in their years of secondary education. I should be thankful for the little I received.

SuperBad, in all it’s comical hilariousness, shows that we’re all just awkward kids trying to get laid, but, more so, trying to actually establish fulfilling relationships while not losing our best friends in the process.

Well, go check out SuperBad. Maybe you’ll learn something in-between the barrage of silly penis jokes and the antics of drunken cops trapped in the suburban heaven and hell that is life.

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Filed under Comedy, Film, Girls, Sex