Story: Everett (Michael St. Gerard) has some stress about his high school graduation, but not enough to actually write and turn in his final term paper. So his worries about being left out of the process come true and the crotchety Mrs. Bagley (Barbara Gruen) busts him out, though thanks to some slick lies, he has a second chance. Of course, he has no intentions of writing the paper and instead he wants to party all week long, but he has a plan. He does head off to Florida with his friends, but he kidnaps school nerd Jody (Gary Keer) to pen the term paper during the trip, so Everett can hit the parties hard and know his homework is in good hands. All goes well enough at first, but Bagley heads to Florida when she finds out about Everett’s lie, with a mind to shut down the party once and for all.

Entertainment Value: Senior Week is an obvious attempt to replicate the success of the 80s T&A comedy trend, though it wasn’t a hit with critics or audiences. The movie was the subject of a mainstream media push when it was first released however, thanks to the slightly spicy opening scene and the fact that the school’s principal hadn’t secured permission to allow the filmmakers in, which of course upset some parents and school board members. Senior Week has some flesh on showcase, with double digital topless scenes in tow, but this is brisk, non graphic type content. The topless scenes are brief, to say the least, while no other spicy scenes pop up and there simply isn’t the kind of light sleaze found in some of the movie’s peers. So we have a road trip comedy at heart, with light party elements that never get crazy or over the top memorable. A lot of the humor falls flat and the film does feel drawn out, but it is in the end a basic, forgettable comedy with some fun 80s vibes. If you’re a completionist for these T&A comedies, saddle up, otherwise this one is a tough recommendation.

The cast here isn’t tasked to perform Shakespeare and the performances match the tone of the material, silly and over the top. There is an art to chewing scenes however, so most of the turns come off as forced and unfunny, but there are some fun efforts here. I would say Barbara Gruen steals the show, as the shrill and always loud Mrs. Bagley. She isn’t as natural in the role of the aggressive authority figure, but she does commit and really goes for it. Her energy makes both the role and her overall performance so much better and a welcome shift from the dull party guys when she appears. There is not even a hint of subtlety here however, as she crows and wails at a high volume, overacting every ounce she can to draw some humor out of this script. Michael St. Gerard is fine as well and provides a basic, but passable lead that keeps the movie anchored. The cast also includes Leesa Zelkin, Alan Naggar, George Robert Klek, and Jennifer Gorey.

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