Stay Cool

Stay Cool (2011)

  • 20% of critics liked it
    (5 reviews)

  • 29% of users liked it
    (1,597 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

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PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By
Ted Smith
Written By
Michael Polish, Mark Polish
Genres
Comedy
In Theaters
Sep 16, 2011 Limited
On DVD
Dec 20, 2011
Cinedigm Films

Critic Reviews

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film

    There is much here to find admirable but a whole lot less to genuinely like.

  • Marlow Stern, Manhattan Movie Magazine

    like an exercise in calculated nostalgia

  • 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.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Joshua W


    This film had it's moments. The characters were enjoyable and the juxtaposation of the audio-book and the situations happening on the screen helped bring a third dimension to the story. The film has it's glitches and problems (such as a 37 year old being so easily… More

  • Eliza N


    If you girls really like prom nights , graduations ,highschool ...etc check it out! As for you guys still can watch it because it is not annoying at all.Well ,I watched it because Josh Holloway was in the cast :) Although he always reminds me of Sawyer (if you have watched Lost you… More

  • Nicki M


    I purchased this one as an ex-rental before seeing it. Reading some of the reviews here, was a bit concerned I had picked up a crap one, but actually I found this not bad. It is definitely not perfect, and has it's faults, the main one to me being the ending. (I am not a person… More

  • Dann M


    Stay Cool is a romantic comedy that has some fun, but doesn't quite know where it's going. The story involves a writer who returns to his hometown to deliver the commencement address at his former high school, and along the way he visits some old friends, including his… More

  • Christopher H


    With a big cast and Mark Polish taking the writing and acting roles, Stay Cool lands mostly on its feet. About an author who returns to his hometown and revisits old relationships from high school, Stay Cool is slightly above any straight-to-DVD releases in its class, but still lacks… More

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