Film Review: ''Drive Me Crazy''

THERE IS humour, romance, all the foibles of teenage, friendship and lots of music, but ``Drive Me Crazy'' appeals only at a very superficial level. Probably because the problems of the teenage neighbours Nicole and Chase, the lead pair, are also at the same level. Not that one expects profundity in a romantic comedy. Yet...

It is a tale of a High School girl and a boy who get dumped by their steady partners and get together. They are neighbours too and soon realise that their friendship and dating mean more than what they had bargained for. Melissa Joan Hart (Nicole) makes her debut on the big screen with ``Drive me Crazy'', though she is a known face on television for those who watch the hit series ``Sabrina, the Teenage Witch''. Petite and blonde, Melissa's portrayal of Nicole is impressive.

The tall, dark Adrian Grenier as Chase Hammond comes across as a suitable foil for Melissa.

The soundtrack of the film includes the famous Backstreet Boys' number, ``I want it that way''. The music for the film is by Gret Kendall. Director John Schultz has tried presenting teen life with all its infatuation, immaturity and assumptions, but it is more like skimming through a Mills and Boon story of yore. The film is based on Todd Strasser's novel, ``How I created my perfect prom date''.

The dialogue is enjoyable in many of the scenes. Especially Chase's sarcastic exchanges with his father where the old man's refrain, ``Are you stoned?'', is met with irascible counters from the young man.

Throughout ``Drive me Crazy'', you could just smile, smirk, laugh and sometimes yawn. It is the final scene that leaves you guffawing for long.

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

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