PROM DATES -- An Often Funny but Very Familiar Buddy Comedy

Review by Jonathan Berk

Is there a bigger moment in a high schooler's life than attending prom? It's one of those milestones that can really influence a person's post-high school life. Or, at least, filmmakers seem to think so, as it's the setting for so many movies. While it's impossible not to think of dozens of movies related to the big dance, director Kim O. Nguyen's film Prom Dates finds some new ground to tap into. 

Young Jess and Hannah are hiding under a table at a prom and decide to make a pact that their senior prom will be legendary. The film jumps ahead to the day before their big dance, and everything is looking perfect. That is, of course, until their dates cancel on them. Now, Hannah (Julia Lester) and Jess (Antonia Gentry) have 24 hours to find replacements… but it seems the whole world may be against them. 
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The comedy in this film is real, in large part thanks to Lester and her clear comedic chops. Several moments will elicit bursts of laughter, and many of them center around her. That's not to take anything away from Gentry, who also has some funny moments — it's just that Hannah finds herself in more extreme situations that are inherently comedic. This is established pretty early on when Lester is at the assembly waiting for Gentry to arrive and starts to choke on her gum. The coughing fit leads to several rapid-fire jokes that should inform audiences right away if they will enjoy this movie's sense of humor.

Naturally, it wouldn't be a high school movie without a little bit of drama. While the cast is relatively small and most of the drama slightly constrained, some moments hit big highs. Hannah's boyfriend, Greg (Kenny Ridwan), is so in love with Hannah that he's unaware of how needy he is. Their breakup not only leads to some hilarity but also to some genuine, heartfelt moments. The movie finds a good balance with a good mix of these, for the most part.
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The one downside of coming to a tried and true genre like the coming-of-age film is falling victim to the formula. While Nguyen's film goes to some places that feel wholly original, quite a few moments are just too predictable. It's not even an issue for things to feel familiar if they fit into the nature of the story; however, there are beats that are definitely common in this genre that simply feel out of place with the characters in this particular film, ultimately dinging the overall success of the movie. 

Luckily, the elements that feel out of place don't ruin the movie as a whole. The humor is just too strong and the performances too good for this to be overlooked. Fans of films like Booksmart, The Edge of Seventeen, Superbad, and even American Pie will surely find something to love in Prom Dates. There is a good chance the two leads will be starring in bigger projects in the near future. ​

Prom Dates will be streaming on Hulu on May 3. 

Rating: 3.5/5