Loser (2000)
Directed by: Amy Heckerling
Can small town Paul find his place in the big city; all the while trying to maintain an active social life and stay afloat with all the challenges his freshman year brings?
Paul a small town Midwestern kid makes the move to New York City on a scholarship for their University. Coming from a small town to a big city means lots of changes and it's definitely different. For one, he comes off as awkward and doesn't really fit in with his peers. While he is busy trying to hit the books others are casually or not so casually enjoying their college experience partying it up. Paul struggles to make friends and find his place in the city. That is until he meets Dora.
Dora Diamond is has her own set of issues. For one, she's struggling to financially get through school. She has to take on a job at night to pay her tuition. She struggles to survive and finds herself in a relationship with one of the least likely candidates, an instructor.
Their stories have different parallels but they are truth to some extent what people go through in college.
I remember this film when it was released. I'd believe I even saw it in theaters? I have loved it for many years. For most people when they think of Jason Bigg's it revolves around a film and a pie. For me, it's this film. He will always be Paul and Mena will always be Dora. This film doesn't get much buzz and does play with some serious themes. Themes that are uncomfortable to expose much less talk about.
They are a part that needs address. I think this film does a good job about bringing it to conversation. Paul deals with cringeworthy roommates who get by scheme after scheme. They can't rely on their endearing charm so they drug unsuspecting women in attempts to sleep with them. It's disgusting. The roommates and the instructor are the antagonists in this picture in a way New York can be. It suspends both Dora and Paul in this crazed loop to fight to go through the school system and in a way find each other. They both have their struggles and in the end they both get a happy ending.
I love the honest approach of Paul and Dora. I love the story and especially the ending. I suspected after this rewatch I might not like it as much as I have in the past. I do feel it lost some of the appeal to me over the years. Especially, since the antagonists are just appalling. I think that speaks well on the writers. They created characters that are appalling to watch and you really hope justice hits them with reality. It does and I love that.
The soundtrack is so true to the late 90s and early 00s. lol We even see Everclear perform! I think this film is still heartwarming even after several years of rewatches. It deals with serious issues. It brings admirable characters and you really hope to see them have some hope after it feels like an hour of just non stop dead ends.
If you love slight 90s nostalgia, realistic themes, underdog characters journey's, and a little love story with some cheesy moments, check this one out. 8.9/10
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