Get Over It

A movie review by Chris Johnson, Area Coordinator, Hiram College

Theatrical Release: 2001
DVD Release: 2001

Looking for an escape from midterms? Longing for that seemingly lost genre of High School love gone awry? If you answered yes to the prior, join the crowd. If you answered yes to the latter, run to the video store and check out the second attempt at Teen comedy from R. Lee Fleming Jr. (She’s All That).

In “Get Over It”, Berke Landers (played to perfection by Ben Foster) doesn’t know what to do when Allison (Melissa Sagemiller) leaves him. She is the only girl he has ever loved, and as you find out during the opening sequence (which just screams “There’s Something About Mary”), he is completely lost without her.

Allison meets a new guy and now Berke, against the urgings from his friends Striker (Shane West), and Dennis (Sisqo, YES, I SAID SISQO!), decided to try out for the school musical in an attempt to recapture his romance with Allison. The story takes a not so surprising turn when Striker’s sister, who is helping Burke prepare for the musical, realizes that she wants to be with Burke, and he slowly realizes the same thing.

Martin Short is hysterical as Dr. Desmond Forrest Oates, the “genius” who seems to know every famous person who has ever graced the Broadway stage, if only in his own imagination. If you are watching the DVD version, check out the special features menu, as Martin Short’s “make it up as you go” dialogue is far worth the rental cost.

Dov Tiefenbach steals the show as Little Steve, even though his only dialogue seems to be correcting Martin Short’s character about his name. Look for more of Don, including his incredible Musical Audition in the special features of the DVD.

As what is seemingly the end of the teen flick craze, “Get Over It” holds it’s own with previous comedies “She’s All That”, “Bring It On”, and all the others. While Kirsten Dunst is listed as the movie’s star (also look for Ed Begley Jr., Carmen Electra, and Coolio), a unique cast carries this movie, and makes it a treat for people of all ages.