'Orange County' (2002)
Released in 2002, Orange County is a comedy-drama film that follows the story of a high school senior named Shaun Brumder who dreams of becoming a writer. The movie features an ensemble cast led by Colin Hanks, and was directed by Jake Kasdan.
Plot Summary:
Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks) is a high school senior living in Orange County, California. He becomes obsessed with the works of Marcus Skinner, a renowned author who lives in the area. After a tragic event, Shaun realizes that he wants to pursue writing and apply to Stanford University to study under Skinner.
However, due to a mistake by his guidance counselor, Shaun's transcript is sent to Stanford's school of agriculture instead of the English department. Determined to rectify the situation, Shaun and his girlfriend Ashley (Schuyler Fisk) embark on a road trip to Stanford to convince the admissions office to reconsider his application.
Cast:
Orange County stars Colin Hanks as Shaun Brumder, Schuyler Fisk as Ashley, Jack Black as Lance Brumder (Shaun's brother), Catherine O'Hara as Cindy Beugler (Shaun's mother), John Lithgow as Bud Brumder (Shaun's father), and Lily Tomlin as Charlotte Cobb.
Direction and Screenplay:
Orange County was directed by Jake Kasdan, who is known for his work on movies such as 'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story' and 'Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.' The movie's screenplay was written by Mike White, who also wrote the screenplays for 'School of Rock' and 'Nacho Libre.'
Themes and Messages:
Orange County explores the theme of finding one's passion and following one's dreams. Shaun initially feels lost and directionless, but after reading Marcus Skinner's books, he discovers his passion for writing. The movie also touches on the theme of family relationships, as Shaun tries to reconcile with his father and brother.
Reception:
Orange County received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its humor and performances, while others criticized its clichéd plot and lack of originality. Despite the mixed reviews, the movie was a modest box office success, grossing over $43 million worldwide.
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Conclusion:
Orange County is a comedy-drama film that explores the theme of finding one's passion and following one's dreams. The movie features a talented ensemble cast and touches on themes of family relationships and self-discovery. While the movie received mixed reviews, it is worth watching for its humor and heart, and for Colin Hanks' charismatic performance as Shaun Brumder.
