imbluzclooby The Last American Virgin has a fairly odd story behind the production itself having been a remake of an Israeli film called Popsicle Limon. I read that it followed the original script and plot almost verbatim for LUV with the hopes that it would have success at the US box office. Even though the dialogue translates alright in an upper middle class American setting, LUV faired poorly at the box office. Having been released four months after the big hit 'Porky's' and just one week prior to Fast Times at Ridgemont High, it's timing placement was sandwiched between two big hits. So timing was not its problem. The problem was that it wasn't raunchy enough to compete with the guy humor of Porky's, nor was it as funny as Fast Times. So it was pretty much destined to fail commercially. But what seemed ill fated at first would develop a modest cult following in later years to come for the many times it was shown on Cable TV.The Last American Virgin is not a great movie, but it did strike a nerve for many viewers who invested in the drama only to be bemused and crushed by the abrupt and unexpected ending. Yes, the climax and ending are what is the standout of this movie for all who had endured being jilted by a love interest or a high school crush. As much as I think the ending is a heartbreak I will never give this movie any undue credit overall.It's basically a trashy film with corny dialogue featuring a few exploitative misadventures of three high school friends who explore the vices of lust, partying and mischief. The first forty-five minutes are pretty immature, but not terribly funny and some of the jokes either seem misplaced or just fall flat. The movie doesn't get better until it becomes unfashionably serious. The movie quickly shifts from comedy to drama. That shift is punctuated when our protagonist, Gary, becomes smitten by a new transfer student, Karen. He loses his cool and painfully pursues her looking like a gawking puppy dog. She has interest in Rick, his friend instead. The conflict ensues in this love triangle and this is what makes the movie more interesting.The film's publicity poster was misleading, featuring the Gary character being embraced by the girl of his dreams with an on- looking crowd is not what happened here. So audiences were misguided. The movie is well cast and all the characters look right for their parts. The Karen character, Diane Franklin, although pretty, is not exactly Playboy Bunny bombshell material. Appearing more like a cute teenager than a fully endowed and shapely woman is a better choice, because she engenders a more accessible and girly quality about her which is better suited for the teenage boy.The ending is the masterstroke and delivers a deathblow for those who could relate to it. Being that Gary was so emotionally invested in this girl, his pain at the end was palpable. If there is a lesson to be learned it's that this shows how far a person will compromise their morals, well being, reputation and friendships just to obtain the object of their infatuation. His obsession is played to the most awkward and painful display one could imagine with his long gazes, agape mouth and uncomfortable stares. It was a bit too much and the director's underlying intention was to excessively show his lack of control. And when we think he has prevailed we learn that teenage girls will do the unexpected. A non-Hollywood and downbeat ending is definitely not pleasant material, but is accepted as realistic human behavior sometimes. There has been a considerable amount of consternation about LUV for enthusiasts of this genre, perhaps due to how it jarred against the so called "feel-good" teen movies that seemed so predictable. But we can say with honesty that the latter films treated teens with a modicum of respect and allowed them to evolve with some dignity. LUV treats teenagers with contempt and shameless embarrassment. I heard Boaz Davidson remark in an interview that some of the jokes had to be changed, because they wouldn't translate well to an American audience. It seems like their are a few other matters amiss here as well.

Sammy_Sam_Sam This film reminds me of the days in the 80s where you'd buy or rent a film based on the cover and short blurb on the back, only to discover that what you'd got was nothing like you were expecting. In my opinion, the film has something of an identity crisis and it's weird, because based on content I'd think it would appeal to the PG or 15 age range, but with an 18 certificate they seem to have missed their audience a bit. Think American Pie, Porky's etc., but crossed with a John Hughes coming of age style storyline. And I didn't realise it at the time, but it's a remake, although I can't comment on how this compares to the original.I would say it's fairly well acted and although they're a young bunch, they seem convincing enough. There are a few cringe worthy moments which perhaps might seem slightly odd... I won't go into details! It's probably fair to say though the 'goofy' moments in this film really undermine the more serious aspects of the story, as they creep out of the light-hearted comedy 'prank' territory and into the realm of the absurd. For example, there's an Inbetweeners style moment involving a car, but rather than fear any repercussions for their actions, they just dance about laughing, as if nothing happened. That'd be fine if this were Porky's, but it's supposed to be serious too, which means this moment works in contradiction to the more serious moments. I watched a film called Big Wednesday that same week, which features a similar situation with a car, but in that their reaction is more realistic (and that film certainly isn't what I'd call subtle). It also occurs to me that this film reminds me of 'Click', a film which had some genuinely interesting points to make and was quite poignant in places, but sadly allowed the goofy moments to detract from that.The soundtrack in this film is excellent, although the songs feel as though they've put in to gel together parts of the story which really shouldn't have gone with each other. For that reason, in some ways it feels more like a sketch show in places... again, it could've worked well, but it doesn't seem quite right.I so desperately wanted to like this film, so much so that I gave it a second viewing a couple of months after the first. Unfortunately though I can't really say that I liked it all that much, which is a shame, as it had some brilliant moments and I really think it had potential. Not a terrible film by any means, but certainly not the undiscovered masterpiece which some might claim. And I particularly liked the end, which I shalln't spoil, but I think it was a brave effort and only a shame the rest of the film hadn't been a little more in keeping with that. If I had the time and ability, I think I could edit this film into a 7 or 8/10, but as it stands, it really is a 6/10. I'd recommend St Elmo's Fire or Some Kind of Wonderful as better takes on a similar story, or perhaps give the original a try, as I understand it was very successful and probably a better film.

martin-intercultural What starts out as a teen gross-out comedy, a spiritual prequel of sorts to the American Pie franchise, evolves into an unexpectedly tender, timeless and lifelike story of coming of age, men and women, desire and betrayal. Good boy falls for the girl; girl picks the bad boy; good boy gets hurt - a classic Turgenev plot. The acting is top-notch. In particular, Lawrence Monoson as Gary gives an incredibly touching and nuanced performance, masterfully inhabiting that awkward 'boy to man' space. Yet the somber moments unfold side by side with laugh- out-loud, lusty comedy - not an easy balance to achieve. This film will stay with you, and not just as a trip down the memory lane for those of us who were fortune enough to go through our teenage years under the flashing neon lights of the 1980s.

magicaevil Totally,one of the best teen dramas of the 80's. It includes everything a teen -but only a teen- asks for. Humor, love, parties, sex mixed up with reality. As well as a terrific soundtrack, which fits like a glove to this kind of movie. Gary gives his all for the girl he loves,but this is not enough,as a teenager's feelings cannot be forced!Giving his all,does not mean he can really win the girl's heart.'The Last American Virgin' shows the aftermath of all kind of love stories.Everything seems OK, until people get back to reality. One's love is strong,but that does not mean it always wins...I guess women love bad boys!