Movie review – “American Pie” (1997) ***1/2

Whoever would have thought in the late 90s they’d still be making films about four guys who make a pact to get paid by the end of the year? And that it would be a massive hit? Well, deservedly so, for the filmmakers had adroitly mixed gross humour (the pie scene), genuine sexiness (Shannon Elizabeth on the internet) and high school satire (one time at band camp) with unexpectedly daggy humour (Eugene Levy’s father) and pure sweet schmaltz (Chris Klein romancing Mena Survi). They were assisted by some incredibly astute casting: has any film in recent years launched this many (admittedly B-grade) careers? Elizabeth, Sean William Scott, Survi, Klein, Jason Biggs, Tara Reid, even Eugene Levy and Jennifer Coolidge (both known before but given a huge boost by the film); Alyson Hannigan and Natasha Lyonne were already reasonably well known. Certainly a film that hit the zeitgeist, and still funny.