The To Do List Review

rating: 3

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. The middle portion of the movie in general could have used some trimming as it does get repetitive in its endless sexual acts, and the result is that it feels rather one dimensional. Sometimes though the sexual acts are comedic genius and it is definitely a case of mostly hits so it is for the most part fine. Those infrequent misfires however sadly slow the movie down and allow you to catch on to the film's one fatal flaw that separates itself from classic to cult classic. This crucial crux continuously working against the film is a cliché ridden and telegraphed story that's painstakingly apparent from the first act. I understand original ideas are realistically few and far between but I really do not mind watching something formulaic either, so long as the execution is strong. The To Do List is another spin on your formula for romantic comedy using crude sexual education as its gimmick, but the movie flat lines temporarily when you have had enough with first time experiences gone wrong. The movie recovers during a random section straying away from the rampant sexual content and into a rivalry with an opposing public pool. The ending scenes are definitely aware of these tropes though so instead of capping the movie off with your typical romance lesson, Carey admirably makes an effort to put a spin on the situation but honestly, it is nothing we haven't seen before. For a first time outing Maggie Carey has shown an understanding of how to present crude comedy in a contextually relevant way, though she needs to dial back some moments and work with a story that is not a walking trope. Too often the film feels like it's merely going through the motions while cracking up the audience sporadically. For those who enjoy watching the envelope of R rated comedy pushed however, this is your movie. Be warned though, this film's sexual content makes most other R rated flicks look like child's play in comparison. The To Do List is released on July 26th in North America