The To Do List Review
rating: 3
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High School usually contains an ubiquitous mix of sex, drugs, and alcohol at every corner. and it's only human nature to experiment on the journey to adulthood. Director Maggie Carey's featured debut set in the early 90's focuses on one, by now familiar specific aspect of that journey though; the pressure of losing virginity before college. On the surface, The To Do List sounds similar to American Pie and The 40 Year Old Virgin, but this time we aren't just following the dirty sexual desires of men, as the film flips the premise over and funnels viewers the raunchy desire from a female perspective. Brandy (Aubrey Plaza) is quite possibly the nerdiest girl of her graduating class - we are talking a Mathlete, Valedictorian, incapable of cursing, straight edge, deadpan eyes and dialect, the whole nine yards. Unsurprisingly, she is also mocked for her virgin status, which prompts her two airheaded but equally nerdy friends with ever so slightly more sexual experience (one has history with a dweeb played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse) to take Brandy to a kegger party. Peer-pressured into drinking alcohol for the first time she also triggers a sexual awakening from one look at a shirtless college guitarist with a chiseled body. Brandy decides that along with becoming sexually active prior to College she wants Rusty Waters (yes, that is seriously his name) to be her first. There's only one major oversight; she has an obstacle in the shape of childhood friend named Cameron desperately seeking her affection, but typically unable to express his love. Nervous and unprepared for engaging in sexual activity, Brandy compiles a list of sexual acts in preparation for her elusive yet now desired first orgasm. She plans on using unfortunate suckers like Cameron for experimental warm up acts including mutual masturbation, oral sex, and all manner of sordid preparation. Her aforementioned doofus friends convene at a swimming pool where Brandy conveniently works as a lifeguard alongside Rusty for the summer. The girls provide the occasional graphic advice on the acts Brandy has noted while the setting as a whole acts as a vessel for plot progression. The area also introduces Willie (Bill Hader); a dim-witted, lethargic, and incompetent megaphone-wielding boss who provides some of the films best lines and biggest laughs. The initial rookie hazing of Brandy reaches a shockingly hilarious climax that will stay with you for forever. There's also some interaction between Brandy and her family. They certainly have their own issues as well ranging from a snide, cruel, and slutty sister to your typical parents uncomfortable with discussing sex. That awkwardness also explodes into a huge laugh that would make American Pie's infamous pie thrusting scene blush. The contrast in dialogue between a sexually clueless high school graduate and a trashy sister that's been around the block multiple times is also genuinely amusing. All of the characters mentioned are well introduced and serve a purpose and certainly have a reasonable place within the film. The first act as whole is one of the finer points in the film complete with Brandy's naivety and innocence towards anything sexual or forbidden. It is still pretty awkward how one College rocker wannabe immediately turns her on (were there no attractive males ever in her high-school?) but it works for the movie, which is all that really matters. It can be hard to root for Brandy accounting for her desire to lose her virginity to such an intentionally unlikable character devoid of any personality. The film mitigates this quickly however by unfolding into a studious sexual odyssey with some brilliant sketches although there are a few bumps along the road. The jokes are frequent, rapidly fired, and often sharply written, featuring crude sexual dialogue about everything imaginable from masturbation to states of sexual arousal. Unfortunately, there are a few minor instances where the jokes cross the line of entertaining crudeness into unnecessary shock value, such as when Brandy is caught in an oral act, and is told to open her mouth and explain herself. The film somewhat sours what is a reasonably witty moment though by showing a quick shock value glimpse of semen spat towards the screen. It's unnecessary overt.