American Reunion

I had the pleasure of catching this film at the RI International Film Festival in Providence, RI.

The 20th class reunion for Mindy and Mark: the High School sweethearts voted "most likely" - who haven't. J.C.: the group's kid brother who has abandoned his own goals to fill the shoes of his big brother who was killed. Patrick: who after a tour of duty in the Army comes "out" to his classmates. Ty: who returns to meet the son that he left behind. Margaret: who slept her way through High School only to legitimize herself through an honest rise in politics to become the town Mayor. And last, but not least, Brad and Jeanie: the golden boy and class "joke" who, through lives intervention, have managed to reverse roles meet and fulfill the "fantasy" of one them. Twenty years after High School they meet for their own private reunion to discover their differences and similarities. Life has taken its toll, they have grown and done things unexpected of them in High School, but they are still friends with nothing to "prove" to anyone else.

Let's face it - anyone who attended High School could relate to this film. Dwier Brown, Andres Faucher, Marlene Forte, Corey Glover and Rainer Judd brought their characters to believable life. I personally could relate to Jeanie, Jennifer Rubin, since I attended my own 20th reunion a shadow of my High School self and wanted to prove a point. I only wish there was a Brad, Billy Wirth, there to impress. Jennifer and Billy shine as the unlikely "couple" reunited after 20 years. Their life roles, now reversed, run into each other and only Jeanie has the recognition, which makes for a little "payback". Jennifer's natural beauty and enthusiasm along with Billy's sultry voice and sexy smile bring life to Brad and Jeanie.

The film leaves you hopeful that although time has past and these people have changed they still remain the friends and those old lives and new beginnings will bond them forever. To quote those famous critics - I give this film "two thumbs up".

Kathi G. - Boston, MA

Reunion Photos from Q&A

cg 11/05