Orange County captured the uncertainty and horror of the college application process probably better than any other film ever made. Shaun Brumder is an intelligent, ambitious high school senior who has his sights set on attending Stanford and becoming a famous writer. And he has the grades to get in, too. Except for one little problem: his high school guidance counselor accidentally sent in the wrong transcripts, leaving him rejected and with few options. So he goes on a wacky adventure up to Stanford with his drug-addled older brother (Jack Black, before he was famous) and his girlfriend Ashley (played by Schuyler Fisk, daughter of actress Sissy Spacek) to try and get the admissions committee to give him another chance. Colin Hanks demonstrates the likeability and good humour that made his father famous, and is a great anchor for all of the other characters' crazy antics. Any more overlooked teenage comedies from the last decade? Share the laughs in the comments below.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
