For an American teen sex comedy of the 1980s, THE LAST American VIRGIN is surprisingly strong viewing. It features a cast of characters who are both likable and more importantly realistic; a fast-moving plot with plenty of laughs and incident to keep it moving; and a surprisingly deep and dramatic final half hour which transcends the usual boundaries of the sex comedy genre to become something more, perhaps a work of social drama.
This is invigorating stuff, with lively direction from Boaz Davidson, here basically remaking his own Israeli film LEMON POPSICLE. Most of the cast were unknown to me but do well in their various parts: Lawrence Monoson as the lovesick lead (we've all been there), Steve Antin as the jock, AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION's Diane Franklin as the object of Monoson's obsession. There's plenty of nudity here and the usual encounters we expect from high school comedies, such as spying on the girl's changing room, a visit to a hooker, and plenty more.
One stand-out supporting role comes from Louisa Moritz playing what would today be described as a 'cougar' who the boys end up visiting. What follows is pretty much unforgettable and must have been for all the teenage boys who saw this film back in the day. The love triangle aspect of the film isn't funny at all, but rather awkward and, yes, tragic. It's as though the comedy slips away as the running time progresses, leaving something deep and meaningful behind it. The ending has the same impact as being dunked in an ice-cold river, rounding off what is certainly an above-average movie.
This is invigorating stuff, with lively direction from Boaz Davidson, here basically remaking his own Israeli film LEMON POPSICLE. Most of the cast were unknown to me but do well in their various parts: Lawrence Monoson as the lovesick lead (we've all been there), Steve Antin as the jock, AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION's Diane Franklin as the object of Monoson's obsession. There's plenty of nudity here and the usual encounters we expect from high school comedies, such as spying on the girl's changing room, a visit to a hooker, and plenty more.
One stand-out supporting role comes from Louisa Moritz playing what would today be described as a 'cougar' who the boys end up visiting. What follows is pretty much unforgettable and must have been for all the teenage boys who saw this film back in the day. The love triangle aspect of the film isn't funny at all, but rather awkward and, yes, tragic. It's as though the comedy slips away as the running time progresses, leaving something deep and meaningful behind it. The ending has the same impact as being dunked in an ice-cold river, rounding off what is certainly an above-average movie.