Themes: Cons and Scams, Teachers and Students, Faltering Friendships
Main Cast: Trevor Fehrman, Elden Henson, Matthew Lawrence, Martin Starr
Release Year: 2002
Country: US
Run Time: 86 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
Co-director of the controversial 1998 documentary Frat House, Andrew Gurland attempts to follow in the teen-comedy footsteps of his partner on that film, Todd Phillips (Road Trip), with Cheats. The film centers on Handsome (Trevor Fehrman) and Sammy (Elden Henson), a scheming pair of best pals who cheat their ways through elementary school and junior high. Once in high school, the duo meets Victor (Matthew Lawrence) and Applebee (Martin Starr) and prove that in cheating, four heads are better than two. But when their principal catches them, they are put on probation. With that in mind, the gang must decide whether to pull off one final, grandiose cheat at the risk of being caught and having their college dreams squelched. Although intended for a theatrical release, Cheats had its premiere on Cinemax before being released on home video and DVD. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
Matthew Lawrence - Victor; Martin Starr - Applebee; Mary Tyler Moore - Mrs. Stark; Morris Panych - Mr. Harkin; Barbara Tyson - Mrs. Herman; Maggie Lawson - Julie; Jewel Staite - Teddy Blue; Casey Dubois - Young Handsome; Brett Kelly - Young Sammy
Credit
Andrew Gurland - Director, Andrew Gurland - Screenwriter
Lefty's Deceiver polishes up its post-hardcore sound for a slick, indie-tailored fourth album entitled Cheats. Instead of relying on distorted guitar riffs and Andy Williams' difficult vocals, Lefty's Deceiver goes for full, layered arrangements. Producer/engineer Brian McTear (matt pond PA, the Trouble With Sweeney) stretches his skills in the studio, allowing Lefty's Deceiver to realize that it can make a grand noise as a trio. Williams is a little more convincing thanks to his self-conscious, quirky singing voice, but his underlying personal angst doesn't quite go away. "Iselin" and the album's title track are evidence of that. Power pop threads accent an indie rock edge on "Cincinnati on Replay" and "East Coast Traffic" sticks with that formula, with snappy melodies coasting on an emotional wave. Cheats is quick to the point in criticizing social conformity. The only difference is that Lefty's Deceiver didn't try too hard to make it all come together. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
Paul Sinclair (Mastering), Kristine Muller (Photography), Paul Hammond (Mastering), Brian McTear (Engineer), Brian McTear (Producer), Mike Kennedy (?), Mary Garito (Photography)
While other kids at the elite North Point Academy spent countless hours studying, Handsome Davis sees it as nothing more than a system of control over your mind. That's why Handsome and his three best friends Sammy, Victor and the cribsheet genius Applebee have banded together and found ways to cheat on their tests all through their school years. Everything had been going along smoothly until the gang entered their final year of high school and the stakes were upped by the school's principal, Mrs. Stark. If they get caught cheating again Stark will make a note in their permanent records and possibly kill their chances of getting into college. But can Handsome convince his pals to pull off one last, great cheat with him and outsmarting Stark and the system, even if it means possibly destroying their friendships?
Casey Dubois as Handsome (2nd Grade / Kindergarten)
Leonie Haworth as Julie (2nd Grade)
Trivia
The real Applebee refused to take part in the documentary based on the actual Cheats, and as such his name had to be censored whenever used.
Many of the events in the story actually happened. Even the scene in which Handsome starts bashing the lockers and ripping off his shirt when Harkin accuses him and his friends of cheating on the test.
The original name of the movie was "Cheaters" but was thought to be confused with the movie Cheaters starring Jeff Daniels
