Drive Me Crazy MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2

Next door neighbors Nicole (Melissa Joan Hart from TVs Sabrina, Teenage Witch) and Chase (Adrian Grenier) have grown up together but, after seventh grade, they went in different directions. Shes involved in school activities and planning the 100th year celebration to finish out her senior year. Hes rebellious and often the source of school pranks, along with his friends, Ray (Kris Park) and Dave (Mark Webber). Ray is a talented cameraman for the school TV station. Although considered a computer nerd, Dave serves as the designated driver for school parties. When Nicoles dream date for the centennial party asks someone else, she turns to Chase for help. Since hes just broken up with his girlfriend, Nicole proposes a plan to make Chases girlfriend take him back while assuring herself a date for the party. Both get to see a little of each others world and find some surprises. Teens will probably identify with various characters in DRIVE ME CRAZY and the popularity of Hart will help at the box office.

While the film does a good job of presenting teens as more than stereotyped figures, it still focuses on teen drinking and sexual activity as being the main thoughts of teens. Although no sex is shown, its frequently discussed by both boys and girls. Teen drinking at unchaperoned parties is also shown. Nicole, among others, drinks too much and Chase vomits after drinking. To its credit, the film includes a designated driver system for drunk teens. Chases girlfriend is into protest movements, such as stopping lab testing on animals, but Nicole points out that lab rats are important to things like cancer research. On the rare occasion that parents are seen, they come off as negative. Nicoles divorced mother flirts with Chases widowed father and later announces they are moving in together, without mention of marriage. Nicoles father is late for monthly dates and oblivious to his daughters life. But they do somewhat reconcile. While moving in the right direction by presenting teens as more complex characters, DRIVE ME CRAZY still leans too far in the wrong direction with negative stereotyped situations.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90035