I wish I was exaggerating when I tell you that PCU was my college experience. I went to a small liberal arts university in New England, and it sometimes seemed like half of the kids I went to school with were majoring in being social justice warriors. (I chose film, and clearly made the wrong decision, because they're all off working for the UN right now.) But it was cool, because I watched PCU when I was in high school, so I was totally prepared for it. PCU is the story of a high school senior who goes on an overnight college visit to Port Chester University, and basically manages to piss off every special interest group on campus. The poor lad finds refuge at a place called The Pit, where a group of outsiders live. Jeremy Piven plays a seventh year senior who enjoys messing with the politically correct, David Spade plays his racist Reagan-loving arch-rival/freshman roommate, about 100 pounds of meat are poured on a vegan protest, and good times are had by all (except for the vegans). There's an endless barrage of classic lines, and the film provides a look at the modern college atmosphere. I've heard it called the Animal House of the 90s, and while Piven is no Belushi, it definitely deserves more praise than it gets.
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.
