Colin Hanks, Jack Black, Schuyler Fisk

A guidance counselor mistakenly sends out the wrong transcripts to Stanford University under the name of an over-achieving high schooler.

Flixster Users

61% liked it

78,612 ratings

Critics

47% liked it

121 critics

PG-13, 82 min.

Directed by: Jake Kasdan

Release Date: January 11, 2002

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DVD Release Date: June 18, 2002

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Stats: 4,830 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,830)


  • October 19, 2009
    If you're a Jack Black freak like me, I'm sure you've already seen this. But, If you're not and you haven't, listen up. The screenplay was written by Mike White, the twisted genius who also brought us School of Rock, The Good Girl and Nacho Libre (nobody's perfect). And, believe ...( read more)it or not, Orange County actually out-performs SOR on the guffaw meter. Colin Hanks (son of Tom) is perfect as Shaun Brumder, the poor schlub who gets screwed out of attending Stanford, when the school Guidance Counselor (Lily Tomlin) accidentally sends in the wrong transcript. He spends the rest of the movie trying to correct the mistake, so he can study under his favourite writer Marcus Skinner (Kevin Kline). Of course, the more he tries, the worse things get, since he has his stoner brother Lance (the aforementioned Mr. Black) ostensibly 'helping' him. Also along for the screamingly funny ride is Schuyler Fisk (daughter of Sissy Spacek), as Shaun's girlfriend Ashley, Catherine O'Hara as his loopy alcoholic mother, and John Lithgow as his work-obsessed father. Chevy Chase is hilarious in a brief cameo as the school principal, as is Mike White himself, as the English teacher with Shakespeare issues. The direction by Jake Kasdan (son of Lawrence) is smashingly good, and the soundtrack is used to perfectly enhance the craziness. Check out the scene where the cheerleaders are practicing to 'Butterfly' by Crazy Town, and you'll see what I mean. Beautiful, man. I almost forgot to give props to Kyle Howard and R.J. Knoll as Shaun's surfer dude buddies, who are absolutely priceless. And pay very close attention to the wonderful performance of the dog (uncredited) who plays the poor, homeless 'puppy' that Ashley rescues from certain death on the PCH. Pure, comedic genius. Actually that statement can be applied to the whole film. An unqualified triumph for White, Black and everyone in between. I'm not kidding, "this is the real story, dude".
  • September 30, 2009
    A good film with some good laughs but ultimately I was a little disappointed as I'd been told it was the greatest film ever and it isn't.
  • May 28, 2009
    Nothing entirely special here but it's got the offspring of Tom Hanks as the lead role which was exciting. Also Jack Black always plays a good stoner/bum. Looks like Tom Hanks' baby isn't starting out in wild comedies like "Bosom Buddies" or "Bachelor Party" in the footsteps of...( read more) Mr. Hanks. This film is a simple MTV produced comedy with a pretty good script and casting.
  • March 1, 2009
    Much more enjoyable than I expected, the first half was pretty good but it eventually sort of unravelled. It tells a story that's easily related to though, and the characters are all interesting. A decent script scores this film more points than its formulaic filming, and while I...( read more) don't need to see it again, I don't regret watching it either.
  • January 11, 2009
    Shaun: Lance, I want you to stay in your room.
    Lance: Why?
    Shaun: Because you're an embarrassment.
    Lance: OK!

    The plot of this movie is just so lame, but on repeated viewings its still ok. Jack Black makes things work.

    Firefighter: What's your name?
    Lance: Uh, Joe... John... u...( read more)h, Joe-John.
    Firefighter: Your name's Joe-John?
    Lance: John-ston, Johnston. Joe.
    Firefighter: You wanna tell me what happened here?
    Lance: Uh, there was a fire, I dunno, I came by and it's... checkin out the fire.
    Firefighter: Well that lady uh, Mona? She said that you two were in the building together when the fire started.
    Lance: Yeah, she's a liar, cuz I dunno her so whatever, whatever she says is a lie, so...
    Firefighter: K, so you're saying you weren't in the building with that woman?
    Lance: No, not I! Aright, she started it, aright? Because she was like "I hate my job, I'm gonna burn this mother down!" And I said "You better not... you better not!"
    Firefighter: She said it was an electrical fire.
    Lance: It was. It was a total electrical fire, it was like uh, the switches had sparks comin out, and the sockets, and uh it was like the 4th of July, man!
    Firefighter: Why aren't you wearing your pants, Joe?
    Lance: I tripped, and uh then I had to take 'em off to run faster out of the flames...
    [coughing]
    Lance: I think I inhaled some smoke, will you excuse me one second, I'll be right back.
    [runs away in the background]
    Firefighter: [into walkie talkie] We got a sprinter. Five foot five, no pants, unkempt... portly.
  • October 14, 2009
    Thought it was pretty awesome. Best movie Ive seen Junior Hanks in and a role made perfectly for Jack Black. Pretty decent cast, with a lot of familiar faces. Great story and some good humour to go with it. Kick ass soundtrack as well.
  • September 20, 2009
    although i despise jack black, this is too honest to pass up.
  • September 9, 2009
    Bezveze film.Jedino sta u njemu valja je Jack Black-ma majstor :D.
    Radnja : 4/10
    Black : 8/10
  • August 27, 2009
    jack black is simply fantastic...
  • August 3, 2009
    As a writer, I am very fond of this movie. I appreciate the kid wanting nothing more than getting into college. It's a good movie to watch it you have had a long day and looking for a good laugh. Jack Black is amazing as Lance

Critic Reviews


January 11, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

There are laugh-out-loud moments and some well-observed satire, but when the movie tries to get serious, it collapses. full review

January 11, 2002
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

A piece of mildly entertaining, inoffensive fluff that drifts aimlessly for 90 minutes before lodging in the cracks of that ever-growing category: unembarrassing but unmemorable. full review

January 11, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

One of those movies like Ghost World and Legally Blonde where the description can't do justice to the experience. full review

January 10, 2002
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

A pleasantly screwy surprise. full review

January 10, 2002
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Feels like six different movies fighting each other for attention. full review

January 8, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A deft script by Mike White ... elevates the usual teen twaddle by grounding the laughs in feeling. full review

View more Orange County reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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Orange County Trivia


  • in what movie did jack black star as a washed older brother to tom hanks son colin ?  Answer »
  • What is in Jack Black's mouth on the movie cover of Orange County?  Answer »
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