She's All That is a 1999 romantic comedy film, directed by Robert Iscove, and is a modern remake of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion (which was also the basis for the musical comedy My Fair Lady). The movie is available on DVD.
Plot
Zack Siler (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) is the big man on campus at his California high school, as he is a soccer player, class president, and an honor student. At the outset of the film, his popular girlfriend, Taylor (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe) dumps him for a faded reality TV star (Matthew Lillard) whom she met on spring break. Although he is hurt by Taylor's rejection, Zack consoles himself by saying that Taylor is replaceable. Zack's best friend, Dean (Paul Walker), disagrees. They make a bet on whether or not Zack can turn any girl into prom queen within six weeks. While walking around the school, Dean picks out Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook), a morose but highly responsible art student, as his choice for Zach.
Zack approaches Laney in the attempt to transform her into Prom Queen. His first encounter with her is a failure, when she pointedly ignores his attempt. Laney's little brother Simon (Kieran Culkin) continuously talks Zack up to Laney. Zack is eventually successful in getting Laney to invite him to a lounge that is frequented by artists and performers. It is here that Laney performs a contemporary and interpretive play while Zack is forced to stay and watch. Also in this performance, a man named Mitch (Alexis Arquette) performs in his tighty whities. When the play ends, he gets up to leave but is invited to take the stage. At this point, he improvises and acts with the hacky sac in his pocket. Laney is amused by his acting and the two begin to see each other socially. After Laney becomes more comfortable with Zack and his friends, Zack's sister convinces Laney to submit to a make-over. At a party, showing off her new look, Laney is humiliated by Zack's ex-girlfriend, Taylor, but Zack follows her and tells her that, when you let people in, sometimes you let the bad in with the good.
Meanwhile, Dean decides to pursue Laney sexually. He asks her to the prom. When Laney gives a less than enthusiastic response to the request, Dean reveals the details of the bet to Laney in public, to her great embarrassment. Laney is so upset that she storms out of the cafeteria and vows not to go to the prom. Zack ends up attending the prom with his sister, while Taylor drives herself to Prom having thought Zack was still interested in her. On prom night, Dean shows up at Laney's house in a tuxedo; Laney reluctantly changes clothes and goes to the dance with him.
At the prom, Dean brings out a key to a hotel room and tells his male friends that he's going to get 'lucky' with Laney that night. Laney's best friend, Jesse, (Elden Henson) overhears the conversation and runs to tell Zack, who has been elected as Prom King. Realizing that Laney and Dean have already left, Zack attempts to try calling every hotel to see if Dean Sampson had ordered a room. To no avail, he decided to go to Laney's house and wait for her to come home.
When Laney arrives at her house Zack is waiting for her. Laney then explains how she fought off Dean's advances, deafening him with her rape alarm, and left him at the hotel. Zack reveals his true feelings for Laney and how she taught him valuable life lessons. He asks for forgiveness and the chance to have something more than just a friendship, which she grants readily. Laney tells Zack that she is considering art school; Zack then tells her that she has inspired him to pursue a career in performance art.
At the graduation ceremony, Zack had to do the bet that was promised. The promise was to go nude at the stage of the ceremony. After having his name called, Zack heads up while carrying a soccer ball to cover himself and later tosses the ball to Laney.
Cast
Music
The film helped popularize its main song, "Kiss Me", performed by Sixpence None the Richer and "Sugar", performed by Stretch Princess. The film also includes the song "The Rockafeller Skank" by Fatboy Slim, which is featured during the prom dance scene.
Box office
External links
