Synopsis
Kate is the new girl in school. She catches John Tucker dating three different girls at once: Carrie – the smart girl, Heather – the cheerleader, and Beth – the activist; none of them are aware that they are not the only girl in John’s heart. Kate, having been raised by a single mother, has seen the pain caused by playboys like John Tucker, and she won’t stand idly by. Together with the three jilted ex-girlfriends, they hatch a plan to teach John a lesson. Things rarely go as planned, especially when Kate starts to think that she might be falling for John herself.
Cast
Jesse Metcalfe…John Tucker
Brittany Snow…Kate
Ashanti…Heather
Arielle Kebbel…Carrie
Sophia Bush…Beth
Penn Badgley…Scott
Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg…Lori
Terrell J. Ramsey…Tommy
Best character
I’m not actually sure who my favourite character is. I like all four of the main girls, but I’ve always loved Sophia Bush – Brooke Davis is the ultimate queen b. Beth is probably the best out of the four though, she’s the funniest and Sophia Bush is always charismatic no matter who she is playing.
Favourite scene
*I do not own the rights to any videos in this post, no copyright infringement was intended. All rights go to the production studio*
The opening will always be iconic, but the fight in gym is probably one of the funniest parts of this entire film.
The quality of the clip is awful, but the scene after John’s been taking estrogen is way too funny to not include it. Obviously, giving someone hormones without being a medical professional or doing it for a specific reason is very dangerous. However, seeing him act like a very emotional woman is hilarious. I should probably be offended by how he acts, but Jesse Metcalfe does it so well.
I remember seeing the boat scene for the first time and being completely swept off my feet by it. Imagine having your first date on a beautifully lit-up boat. It was quite possibly the most romantic thing my pre-teen self had ever seen, but then I remember who John Tucker actually is and I get over it very quickly. It was pretty cute though.
Best quotes and one liners
KATE: What was I thinking? Of course a guy like that already has a girlfriend. That’s Carrie Shaeffer, Runs the school TV station not to mention the Honor Society, Junior Achievers, 4-H Club, Future Filmmakers of America, Big Sisters, Adopt-A-Shut-In, and…I think that’s it,
CARRIE: I’ve decided to write a children’s book,
KATE: Oh, and she’s writing a children’s book,
KATE: Okay, I’m not passing judgment but for whatever reason. being a vegan teen activist is usually code for ”easy, ”
KATE: I don’t get it. I mean, these girls all seem so confident and cool. How do they not know that John’s cheating on all of them?
WAITRESS: He’s a total operator. He goes out with girls from different cliques so that they never actually talk to each other. And then he tells them that his father won’t let him date during basketball season so they’ll have to keep it a secret.
KATE: How’d you learn all this stuff?
WAITRESS: [sobbing] I don’t know, just a guess.
KATE: This guy is cheating on all of you and instead of taking it out on him. you’re beating the sh*t out of each other?!
SCOTT: You came early to detention?
KATE: You know I’d hate to miss a minute of being…detained.
HEATHER: So I talked to John. He was sweet. He felt bad for you. He said that you were jealous because we share something special. Something that we don’t have to label because…
BETH: [interrupting] Because it’s our unspoken bond and I just love how secure you are?
CARRIE: And it hurts me to question it, because…
HEATHER, BETH, CARRIE: [at the same time] … YOU’RE THE ONLY GIRL FOR ME?
HEATHER: Damn! He said the same thing to all of us!
BETH: Figures. He makes up with us and he hooks up with us…
CARRIE: [interrupts, whispers] You guys hooked up?
BETH: John and I share something special.
CARRIE: Oh what, you’ve both been in your pants?
BETH: We share a vegan/nonviolent outlook on life.
HEATHER: [under her breath, coughs] Hippie slut.
BETH: [sarcastic] Oh nice, Heather. It’s not like everyone doesn’t know that little Miss Cheerleader brings it on.
CARRIE: What, you too?
HEATHER: John and I belong together. He is the team captain and I am the head cheerleader.
BETH: Oh, I’m sorry, what kind of cheerleader?
CARRIE: Oh, like he’d take either of you two seriously?
BETH: Do not lump me with her!
HEATHER: Oh so what, you’re now better than me?
KATE: Shut up.
HEATHER, BETH: [peeved] What?
KATE: Sorry.
HEATHER: You got something to say?
KATE: No, it’s none of my business. [pause]
KATE: Okay, let me guess, Does he always use pet names like ”baby” and ”sweetheart”? Yeah, it’s not out of affection, it’s so he won’t mix up your names. And he’s all about an unspoken bond or something special, but never about a relationship and the whole arrangement was your idea so you feel guilty that he cheated.
HEATHER: In cheer we tear down the other team by undermining their confidence, makin’ ’em feel lame.
BETH: I don’t think this is a case for ”U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi,’
SCOTT: Hey, can I ask you a favour? I’m in need of a lab partner, I was with Alex, but he got burnt pretty badly in an experiment, so…
KATE: Oh, well, before I say yes how exactly did he get burned?
SCOTT:Uh, well, that is open to interpretation because he will say that it was my fault, but I clearly said ”Dear God, man, you’re on fire, run for your life,”
KATE: A clear warning,
JOHN: So did you like the flowers?
KATE: Sure, if you’re into that kinda thing.
JOHN: Well, cuz, you know, I didn’t get a call…
KATE: I didn’t have a pen.
JOHN: So you’re lab partners with Kate, right? We talk. What’s her deal?
SCOTT: Yeah, I don’t know. I don’t think she’s your type.
JOHN: Girl is my type.
SCOTT: Alright, well then maybe you’re not her type. She’s into stuff like old school Elvis Costello, she listens to obscure podcasts, she reads Dave Eggers. You know, she’s deep, man.
JOHN: Dude, I’m deep. I’m dating the poetry club.
CARRIE: Beth’s still in the truck.
HEATHER: What?
CARRIE: Slut in truck!
BETH: It’s not even my date and he still gets me out of my skirt!
BETH: I’d hit him with my car if he wouldn’t make a body cast a fashion statement.
Most iconic outfit
I’m still a bit obsessed with Beth’s little purple sheer poncho with the sequined flowers. It sounds awful when I try to describe it, but Sophia Bush can make anything look amazing.
I love the outfit Kate wears to the beach, Brittany Snow looks absolutely stunning. Also fun fact, the weather was awful that day so the sunset is superimposed.
Best musical moments
I forgot that Dirty Little Secret plays so early in this film. It really is the ultimate teen movie song and it will always be a banger. It also closes out the film and honestly, All American Rejects make the best credit songs.
I also love the cover of Time After Time from the end of John’s birthday party. It’s such a great song and I like this version of it a lot.
Final thoughts and fun facts
I was definitely too young when I watched this film for the first time, but it’s definitely one of my all-time favourites. It’s the type of film that’s so bad, it’s good. It would not be made today though let’s get that straight.
At John’s party when they are watching the video it shows scenes from where John asks Kate to be his girlfriend and gives her the watch but none of the other girls knew about this until Kate shows them the watch so where does the footage come from? Also when the girls show their homemade movie to the audience. There is a shot from the boat date, which the girls were not able to film because they were stuck in a small boat far away.
Although most of the movie was filmed at practical locations, Kate’s bedroom was actually a set built in the gym of the high school. At one point the walls fell over while they were filming.
In the script, Scott and Kate kissed at the end. However, the director felt it wasn’t realistic and there was “too much kissing” in the film so the scene changed to a rekindling of a friendship.
I actually kind of love that John Tucker doesn’t really change by the end of the film. The part where he introduces his two girlfriends to each other is pretty funny.
Here’s a random extra fun fact at the end of this review. I remember going out to buy this on DVD. At the time I didn’t know what it was, my mom wanted it. But seeing the logo again after all this time has just reminded me of that memory.
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