Shaun Brumder is a local surfer kid from Orange County who dreams of going to Stanford to become a writer and to get away from his dysfunctional family household. Except Shaun runs into one complication after another, starting when his application is rejected after his dim-witted guidance counselor sends in the wrong form.
Acting
Jack Black's Lance is unhinged perfection; steals every frame.
Writing
Mike White's script balances absurdity with genuine melancholy.
Costume
Peak Y2K fashion archaeology—velour tracksuits and all.
Director
Jake Kasdan
Colin Hanks
Shaun Brumder
Jack Black
Lance Brumder
Schuyler Fisk
Ashley
Catherine O'Hara
Cindy Beugler
John Lithgow
Bud Brumder
Mike White
Mr. Burke
Lily Tomlin
Charlotte Cobb
Chevy Chase
Principal Harbert
George Murdock
Bob Beugler
Carly Pope
Tanya
Natasha Melnick
Katie
Kyle Howard
Arlo
Bret Harrison
Lonny
R.J. Knoll
Chad
Lillian Hurst
Lupe
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This flopped hard in 2002 but became a cult artifact of the pre-Apatow era, before R-rated teen comedies got softer.
Mike White wrote this while struggling with his own screenwriting career; Shaun's desperation is basically autobiographical.
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