American Pie is about four young fellas determined to have sex before they leave high school. The four pals, Jim, Oz, Kevin, and Finch, ( Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nixon, and Eddie Kaye Thomas, respectively), are all having a difficult time with the ladies. Jim can't seem to meet the right girl and is the recipient of numerous father-son talks on sex from his visibly uncomfortable dad (Eugene Levy). Oz is the good looking jock who decides faking a little
sensitivity will do the trick. Kevin has a girlfriend but she doesn't want to do "it" until everything is perfect. Finch is a sport coat wearing, mochaccino drinking fella who has a plan of his own. Details are irrelevant,
since everything is about the boys trying to bed the girls. 

What makes American Pie stand out? It's often disgusting, always crude and a great deal of fun. Surely, I shouldn't like it? But like last year's There's Something About Mary, this is a movie which revels in it's
disgustingness. Unlike There's Something About Mary, it is consistently funny. Rather than Mary's funny scenes alternating with boring scenes, American Pie provides a steady stream of laughs which originate from the most classic root of comedy: truth.  The most hilarious being Jim's father explaining the fundamentals of sex to his son.  This is extremely laughable as the father attempt to put across a subtle message of sex and masturbation to his son.  Living in a total conservative environment, I can already visualise what it would be if the father had to explain something like that the son.   Of course the classic is the sock over the penis act and the penis in the meat pie act which bring out the greatest laughter in me. Anyone who has been young and worried about their relations with the opposite sex will recognise the confusion and longing and unalloyed lust on display here. 

Surprisingly, director Paul Weitz's film remains largely intact. Nudity, bodily fluids, and more nudity get plenty of screen time. The censor is to be commended for restraint. Of course, with an R(A) rating, the audience
which made this a smash in the US, horny teens, will not be able to see it. Weitz's direction is competent if pedestrian. What really makes this film work is the great performances he gets from everyone, even if the characters aren't very deeply developed. The timing and comic skills exhibited here are almost without flaw. 

If you are offended by four letter words, nudity, and crude jokes, American Pie is definitely not for you. If, on the other hand, you can see the humour in pointing up the weakness of the flesh and the lengths to which we will go to satisfy it, this is a laugh riot. In fact, you may even want another
piece.  By the way, when you are out enjoying yourself in a party, remember to check whether the drink you are holding is your, who knows, you might get more than you want! :P

"B"         Bua Pai