Can't Hardly Wait MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2

It's high school graduation night and there's a big party. Preston (Ethan Embry) has had a crush on Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) for four years, but she been dating Mike (Peter Facinelli), the football captain. Expecting college to be a sexual paradise, Mike breaks up with Amanda so he can be "free." Tonight may be Preston's last chance to tell Amanda how he feels before he leaves for a summer seminar. But it takes Preston awhile to overcome his fear of rejection. Preston's best friend Denise (Lauren Ambrose) goes to the party to encourage him and discovers a surprise relationship of her own. Lots happens at one all-night party in this "American Graffiti" for the 90's. Teens especially will enjoy this high school fantasy of alcohol and sex but even older viewers may smile at some of the party antics like the class "nerd" becoming a drunk rock singer.

Unfortunately, this humorous film presents a negative view of teens whose only thoughts seem to be beer drinking and sex. Much of the conversation revolves around chances for sex, propositions for sex and plans for sex. Although sex is never graphically shown in the PG-13 film, it's heavily implied by couples kissing and caressing on the couch, couples going into a dark "make-out" room and a couple locked in the bathroom. There's no nudity but a number of low cut blouses and tight clothes are present. And in one scene, a girl raises her blouse, but she's shown from the back. Beer and alcohol are readily consumed by teens and drunken behavior is encouraged, although the "nerd" has a hangover the next morning. Foul language and profanity occurs frequently with the f-word used once and the s-word 6 times, but 13 other obscene terms appear. God's name is used in vain 10 times. Despite the sometimes humorous events, the emphasis on teenage drinking, sexual promiscuity and foul language flunks the graduates of CAN'T HARDLY WAIT.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Columbia Pictures 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City CA 90232