What is this, some sort of dork outreach program?
I feel just like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. You know, except for the whole hooker thing.
Who the HELL would nominate me?
Am I a bet? Am I a FUCKING BET?
This is all fascinating, Taylor, but could you skip to the part where you decided to screw me over.
Sometimes when you open up to people, you let the bad in with the good.
All you have left is a C minus GPA with a Wonderbra.
Give her the right look, the right boyfriend, and bam. In six weeks she's being named prom queen.
So, Laney, I was wondering if you wanted to... [Laney walks away]... embarrass me horribly in front of all these people.
It's not about disrespect, it's just gas.
She's All That is a 1999 American
romantic comedy filmRomantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
directed by
Robert IscoveRobert Iscove is a Canadian film and television director, television producer and a choreographer...
, and is a
modern adaptation of
George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, in which capacity he wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama, and he wrote more than 60...
's play
PygmalionPygmalion: A Romance in Five Acts is a play by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. Professor of phonetics Henry Higgins makes a bet that he can train a bedraggled Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, to pass for a duchess at an ambassador's garden party by teaching her to assume a veneer of...
. It was one of the most popular teen films of the 1990s and reached #1 at the box office in its first week of release.
Plot
Zach Siler (
Freddie Prinze, Jr.Freddie James Prinze, Jr. is an American actor. He rose to fame during the late 1990s and early 2000s, after starring in several Hollywood films aimed at teenage audiences, I Know What You Did Last Summer and its sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer , as well as She's All That , Summer...
)—soccer star, class president, honor student—is the big man on campus at his
CaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
high school. At the outset of the film, his popular girlfriend, Taylor Vaughn (
Jodi Lyn O'KeefeJodi Lyn O'Keefe is an American actress and model, who at age 17 portrayed Cassidy Bridges on Nash Bridges. She is also known for her role on Prison Break as Gretchen Morgan, a.k.a. "Susan B. Anthony".-Early life:...
) dumps him for a faded reality TV star from
The Real WorldThe Real World is a reality television program on MTV originally produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray. First broadcast in 1992, the show, which was inspired by the 1973 PBS documentary series An American Family, is the longest-running program in MTV history and one of the...
, Brock Hudson (
Matthew LillardMatthew Lyn Lillard is an American actor and producer. He is best known for his roles as Stu Macher in Scream, Stevo in SLC Punk , and Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo film series and the Animated reboot series.-Early life:Lillard was born in Lansing, Michigan, and grew up in Tustin, California...
), whom she met on
spring breakSpring break – also known as March break, Study week or Reading week in the United Kingdom and some parts of Canada – is a recess in early spring at universities and schools in the United States, Canada, mainland China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the United...
. Although he is hurt by Taylor's rejection, Zach consoles himself by saying that Taylor is replaceable. Zach's friend, Dean Sampson, Jr. (
Paul WalkerPaul William Walker IV is an American actor. He became well known in 1999 after his role in the hit film Varsity Blues. He is also known for starring in the surprise summer hit The Fast and the Furious. His other films include Joy Ride, Running Scared, Into the Blue and Eight Below...
), disagrees. They make a bet on whether or not Zach can turn any girl into the Prom Queen within six weeks. While walking around the school, Dean picks out Laney Boggs (
Rachael Leigh CookRachael Leigh Cook is an American actress, known for her role in the romantic comedy She's All That and her This is Your Brain on Drugs public service announcement.-Early life:...
), a morose, but highly responsible, art student, as his choice for Zach.
Zach approaches Laney in the attempt to transform her into the prom queen. His first encounter with her is a failure, when she pointedly ignores his attempt to befriend her. Laney's little brother, Simon (
Kieran Culkin), continuously talks Zach up to Laney. Zach is eventually successful in getting Laney to invite him to a lounge that is frequented by artists and performers with help from Laney's friend Jessie (
Elden HensonElden Henson is an American actor. He is best known for playing Fulton Reed in the Mighty Ducks trilogy with Emilio Estevez, and playing Lenny Kagan in The Butterfly Effect....
) against Laney's wishes. Laney performs a contemporary and interpretive performance. Afterwards, Zach is invited to take the stage. At this point, Zach improvises and performs with the hacky sac in his pocket. Laney is amused by Zach's performance but rejects him after he makes a move on her. He continues to attempt to see her by becoming friends with her brother and, in an attempt to stop this, Laney agrees to see him and they go to the beach together. He successfully persuades her to come to a party at Preston's house the same night, by employing his sister Mackenzie Siler (
Anna PaquinAnna Helene Paquin is a Canadian-born New Zealand actress. Paquin's first critically successful film was The Piano, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1994 at the age of 11 – the second youngest winner in history...
) to give her a
makeoverA makeover is a term applied to changing one's appearance, sometimes through cosmetics. Makeovers can range from something as simple as a new haircut, to the use of cosmetic surgery, to the extreme of the implantation of dental veneers, eye-color-changing contact lenses, and the use of...
and making the JV soccer team clean her house. At the party, showing off her new look, Laney is humiliated by Taylor, but is consoled by Zach.
During these outings, Zach's friend Dean begins to show an interest in Laney as Zach's victory becomes more and more imminent—primarily a sexual interest. Dean also invites Laney to the prom, in an attempt to ruin Zach's attempt at winning the bet. As a result of her new look and Zach's interest, Laney is nominated for Prom Queen and this begins a battle between Laney and Taylor Vaughn for the crown. Dean, angry after a fight with Zach, tells Laney about the bet and she forces him to reveal the truth about the bet in public, to her (and his) great embarrassment. Zach ends up attending the prom with his sister, while Taylor arrives alone, thinking that Zach is 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 despite turning him down previously.
At the Prom, after an in-depth dance-scene, presided over by the schools resident DJ (
Usher RaymondUsher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
) Zach's sister Mackenzie meets Jessie and they become friends. Drunk, Dean boasts in the bathroom that he is going to a hotel room with Laney, Jessie overhears this and warns Zach. Taylor is then crowned Prom Queen with just over half the votes; She begins a long moaning speech which is interrupted by her microphone being turned off by a teacher. Laney and Dean leave together.
When Laney arrives at her house, Zach is waiting for her. Laney explains how she fought off Dean's advances, deafening him with her
rapeRape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
alarm, and left him at the hotel. Zach reveals his true feelings for Laney and tells her that she has taught him valuable lessons. He asks for forgiveness and the chance to have something more than just a friendship, which she grants. Laney tells Zach that she is considering art school; Zach then tells her that she has inspired him to pursue a career in performance art. They also joke about the 1990 film
Pretty WomanPretty Woman is a 1990 romantic comedy film set in Los Angeles, California. Written by J.F. Lawton and directed by Garry Marshall, this motion picture features Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, and also Hector Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy, and Jason Alexander in supporting roles. Roberts played the only...
.
At the graduation ceremony, Zach must make good on his bet with Dean by appearing nude on stage. After his name is called, Zach heads to the stage, carrying a soccer ball to cover himself, but then tosses the ball to Laney.
Cast
- Freddie Prinze, Jr.
Freddie James Prinze, Jr. is an American actor. He rose to fame during the late 1990s and early 2000s, after starring in several Hollywood films aimed at teenage audiences, I Know What You Did Last Summer and its sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer , as well as She's All That , Summer...
as Zachary "Zack" Siler: He is the All-American boy President and co-captain of the soccer team. He makes a bet with Dean about Laney, but ends up falling for her. He is undecided about his future. While he likes Laney at first, but does the same thing his ex Taylor did him til he changes. He loses the bet and as a result, has to go to graduation nude with only a soccer ball until he throws it to his now girlfriend, Laney.
- Rachael Leigh Cook
Rachael Leigh Cook is an American actress, known for her role in the romantic comedy She's All That and her This is Your Brain on Drugs public service announcement.-Early life:...
as Laney Boggs: An artist who is part of the bet Zack and Dean made. She is beautiful, but isn't truly shown until her makeover. Her mom died when she was young and she became the woman of the house. She pretend she doesn't care about what people think of her until she admits it after Taylor verbally abuses her at a party at Preston's house. She falls for Zack.
- Anna Paquin
Anna Helene Paquin is a Canadian-born New Zealand actress. Paquin's first critically successful film was The Piano, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1994 at the age of 11 – the second youngest winner in history...
as Mackenzie "Mack" Siler: Zack's little sister. She is the one who gives Laney her makeover. She is the average teenage girl but she is honest. She attends an all-girls school probably because she is shown as boy crazy. At the end of the film, she begins to date Laney's best friend Jesse.
- Paul Walker
Paul William Walker IV is an American actor. He became well known in 1999 after his role in the hit film Varsity Blues. He is also known for starring in the surprise summer hit The Fast and the Furious. His other films include Joy Ride, Running Scared, Into the Blue and Eight Below...
as Dean Sampson, Jr.: Zack's best friend who he makes the bet with. He is shown as a bit of a jerk but he is later shown as a okay guy. He then tries to sleep with Laney but she puts a foghorn to his ear that can be heard for a mile away. At the graduation ceremony, he still has trouble hearing.
- Jodi Lyn O'Keefe
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe is an American actress and model, who at age 17 portrayed Cassidy Bridges on Nash Bridges. She is also known for her role on Prison Break as Gretchen Morgan, a.k.a. "Susan B. Anthony".-Early life:...
as Taylor Vaughan: The most popular girl at school. She is shown as bossy and arrogant. She breaks up with Zack because of meeting the "famous" Brock Hudson from The Real World. At first, she becomes even more popular until she has a downfall when Laney becomes popular. Brock eventually breaks up with her. She then wants Zack back, but it did not work. At the end of the movie, she is seen sitting alone at graduation, her friends finally having had enough of her snotty behavior.
- Kevin Pollak
Kevin Elliot Pollak is an American actor, impressionist, game show host, and comedian. He started performing stand-up comedy at the age of 10 and touring professionally at the age of 20...
as Wayne Boggs: Laney and Simon's dad, widower.
- Matthew Lillard
Matthew Lyn Lillard is an American actor and producer. He is best known for his roles as Stu Macher in Scream, Stevo in SLC Punk , and Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo film series and the Animated reboot series.-Early life:Lillard was born in Lansing, Michigan, and grew up in Tustin, California...
as Brock Hudson: A reality star who Taylor breaks up with Zack for. Eventually he breaks up with her after he becomes a bigger star.
- Kieran Culkin as Simon Boggs: Laney's little brother. He is pushed around by many people at his school until Zack stands up for him. He might become one of the many popular people after Zack leaves because he starts to hangout with Zack until he graduates at school.
- Elden Henson
Elden Henson is an American actor. He is best known for playing Fulton Reed in the Mighty Ducks trilogy with Emilio Estevez, and playing Lenny Kagan in The Butterfly Effect....
as Jesse Jackson: Laney's best friend who is trying to lose weight before graduation. He eventually falls for Zack's younger sister, Mackenzie.
- Usher Raymond
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
as Campus DJ: He is the cool, smooth DJ of the school who knows all the dirty and latest gossip at school. He votes for Laney.
- Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
as Alex: Taylor's friend. She is on friendly terms with Laney it seems even after Laney is voted for Prom Queen (though she is seen with Taylor when they both parties run into each other in the hall). She is thought to be the girlfriend of Zack's close friend Preston, but she goes to prom with someone else (possibly because he became a friend of Laney).
- Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Prinze , known professionally by her birth name of Sarah Michelle Gellar , is an American actress, singer and executive producer...
as Girl in Cafeteria
- Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Monique Union is an American actress and former model. Among her notable roles is as the cheerleader opposite Kirsten Dunst in the film Bring it On. Union starred opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the blockbuster film Bad Boys II and played a medical doctor in the CBS drama...
as Katarina "Katie" Darlingson: Seen first as one of the best friends of Taylor, but she eventually becomes close to Laney after their encounter at the beach. She is the one who nominates Laney because she is tired of Taylor winning everything. She thinks Laney deserves to be prom queen as revenge of when Taylor verbally abuses Laney at a party. She is mad when Taylor wins prom queen. She possibly starts to date Preston since he was her date to prom. Only one of Taylor friends who is geuniely nice to everyone, speaks honestly, and doesn't always just say what Taylor wants to hear.
- Dulé Hill
Karim Dulé Hill is an American actor and tap dancer. He is best known for his roles as personal presidential aide Charlie Young on the NBC drama television series The West Wing, and as pharmaceutical salesman-private detective Burton "Gus" Guster on the USA Network television comedy-drama Psych...
as Preston: Zack's other best friend. He is the one who tries to not have the bet started. It seems though he is rooting for Laney, whom he later befriends. He seems to date Alex at first but then is later seen with Katie.
- Tamara Mello
Tamara Beccam Mello is an American actress. Her career began in 1993 with appearances on various television programs and films...
as Chandler: Taylor's friend who dislikes Laney.
- Clea DuVall
Clea Helen D'Etienne DuVall is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Sofie on the television series Carnivàle as well as for films such as The Faculty , Girl, Interrupted and The Grudge .-Early life:DuVall was born in Los Angeles, California, the only child of Rosemary and...
as Misty: Dark gothic artist who comes from a rich family. Told Laney that she should think of committing suicide because infamous artists only become famous after their death. She gets drunk at Preston's party and as revenge, Laney paints her face as a clown.
- Tim Matheson
Tim Matheson is an American actor, director and producer. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the smooth-talking Eric 'Otter' Stratton in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon's Animal House and has had a variety of other well-known roles, including providing the voice of the lead character...
as Harlan Siler: Zack and Mack's father who wants him to go to his college.
- Alexis Arquette
Alexis Arquette is an American trans woman, actress, musician, and cabaret performer.-Early life:...
as Mitch
- Chris Owen
Chris Owen is an American actor. He is best known for his role in the American Pie movies as Chuck Sherman . He reprised this role in American Pie 2, American Pie: Band Camp and American Reunion...
as Derek Funkhouser Rutley
- Vanessa Lee Chester
Vanessa Lee Chester is an American television and film actress. She has worked on a variety of projects, most notable for her roles as Kelly in Steven Spielberg's The Lost World: Jurassic Park , and as Becky in Alfonso Cuarón's A Little Princess...
as Melissa's Friend
- Milo Ventimiglia
Milo Anthony Ventimiglia is an American television actor best known for his role of Peter Petrelli on the TV series Heroes...
as Soccer Player
- Takbir Bashir as Rapper
- Brandon Mychal Smith as JV Cleaning Boy
- Flex Alexander
Mark Alexander Knox , better known as Flex Alexander or Flex, is an American actor, comedian and dancer.-Early life:Born in New York City in Harlem, Alexander is the son of Alethia Knox and Robert Whitehead....
as Kadeem
- Debbi Morgan
Deborah "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Dr. Angie Hubbard on the ABC soap opera All My Children, and for her role as The Seer in the fourth and fifth seasons of Charmed.Morgan joined the cast of The Young and the Restless as...
as Laney's Art Teacher: Laney's teacher who is trying to make her art be personal. After Laney paints a picture of her mother she says she is finally personal. Unintentionally makes Lanie realize that she should give Zack another chance.
Critical reception
The film has received mixed reviews by critics, with rate of 38% on
Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, with
Top Critics rating the film with 25%. Most of the criticism is directed to the now infamous choreographed group dance scene at the prom near the end of the movie. Which many felt was completely unrealistic that all of these student would be so perfectly in synced with their dancing.
Box office
The movie reached #1 in the box office in the first week of its release in theaters. It earned $63,366,989 in the United States and $39,800,000 internationally.
Accolades
The film won and was nominated for several awards.
| Year |
Ceremony |
Category |
Result |
| 1999 |
YoungStar Awards |
Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film |
Won (Rachael Leigh Cook) |
| 1999 |
Teen Choice Awards |
Movie – Choice Actor |
Won (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) |
| 1999 |
Teen Choice Awards |
Movie – Sexiest Love Scene |
Won (Freddie Prinze, Jr. & Rachael Leigh Cook) |
| 1999 |
Teen Choice Awards |
Movie – Choice Comedy |
Nominated |
| 1999 |
MTV Movie Awards |
Best Breakthrough Female Performance |
Nominated (Rachael Leigh Cook) |
| 1999 |
MTV Movie Awards |
Best On-Screen Duo |
Nominated (Freddie Prinze, Jr. & Rachael Leigh Cook) |
| 2000 |
Young Hollywood Awards |
Best Bad Girl |
Won (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe) |
| 2000 |
Young Hollywood Awards |
Best Song |
Won (Sixpence None the Richer – "Kiss Me") |
| 2000 |
Kids' Choice Awards, USA |
Favorite Movie Couple |
Won (Freddie Prinze, Jr. & Rachael Leigh Cook) |
| 2000 |
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards |
Favorite Actress – Newcomer (Internet Only) |
Won (Rachael Leigh Cook) |
| 2000 |
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards |
Favorite Actor – Comedy/Romance |
Nominated (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) |
| 2000 |
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards |
Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures |
Won (Matt Slocum – Writer of the song, "Kiss Me") |
| 2000 |
ALMA Awards |
Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film |
Nominated (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) |