Stay Cool (2011)
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20% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
26% of users liked it
(1,705 ratings)
Henry McCarthy (Mark Polish), the 30-something author of the popular 80s-themed novel How Lionel Got Me Laid, returns to his suburban hometown of Sacramento to deliver the commencement speech at his former high school. Despite his success as an author Henry's return home has sparked all of the… More Henry McCarthy (Mark Polish), the 30-something author of the popular 80s-themed novel How Lionel Got Me Laid, returns to his suburban hometown of Sacramento to deliver the commencement speech at his former high school. Despite his success as an author Henry's return home has sparked all of the youthful dreams, desires and particularly disappointments he's never quite gotten over, specifically his unrequited affection for the girl who is now the local pharmacist: the elusive Scarlet Smith (Winona Ryder). Between run-ins with the outcast friends he left behind Big Girl (Sean Astin) and Wino (Josh Holloway), the school principal (Chevy Chase) and a seductive senior, Shasta O'Neil (Hilary Duff) who clearly has the hots for him, Henry is sent spinning through a time warp that incites all the old emotions and challenges of the world he grew up in. -- (C) Initiate Productions
- Directed By
- Ted Smith
- Written By
- Michael Polish, Mark Polish
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Sep 16, 2011 Limited
- Studio
- Cinedigm Films
Critic Reviews
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Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times
Attempts to pay homage to the '80s oeuvre of filmmaker John Hughes, but its singular lack of emotional logic, charm and humor bring to mind a couple of hours in detention instead.
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Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
Stay Cool is their most grounded effort, attacking the formulaic discomfort and confusion of an impending high school reunion. It doesn't always convince, but it's the most approachable Polish production to date.
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Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
There is much here to find admirable but a whole lot less to genuinely like.
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Marlow Stern, Manhattan Movie Magazine
like an exercise in calculated nostalgia
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Adam Keleman, Slant Magazine
This is thoroughly a family affair, but with the Polish brothers' upcoming film Manure just around the corner, Stay Cool feels a bit rushed, suggesting nothing more than an homage to Pretty in Pink or Some Kind of Wonderful.
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Cast
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Winona Ryder
as Scarlet Smith
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Mark Polish
as Henry McCarthy
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Sean Astin
as Big Girl
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Hilary Duff
as Shasta O'Neil
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Josh Holloway
as Wino
- Jon Cryer
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Chevy Chase
as Principal Marshall
- Frances Conroy
- Ashley Bell
- Joanna Cassidy
- Marc Blucas
