Drive Me Crazy (1999) Rated-PG 13 Based on the book How I Created My Perfect Prom Date, by Todd Strasser.

Drive Me Crazy was one of the many teen movies released in 1999. This one stars Melissa Joan Hart as Nicole Maris, the queen bee of her school and Adrian Grenier as Chase Hammond, Nicole's kooky, non-conformist neighbor.

The plot is simple, and has been done a million times before. The big dance is coming up, in this case the big centennial prom that Nicole herself planned. Nicole gets passed over by her dream date and now she needs a hot new date to keep up her status. So she turns to the last person anyone in her clique would expect, her oddball neighbor. Of course he is unacceptable the way he is and must undergo a makeover so he will fit in with Nicole's visions. He agrees to her plan hoping to win back his ex as well.

Add to the simple plot a small twist. Nicole and Chase have known each other forever. They were at one time the best of friends until some tough issues faced them and drove them apart. While not in the same circles anymore they still defend one another to outsiders but cannot face the past when they are together.

As they begin to work on their plan, by attending drinking parties, pep-rallies and other assorted activities, Chase starts to enjoy being the 'popular' guy, much to the horror of himself and his friends. Nicole on the other hand begins to see that her 'popular' lifestyle isn't all that great. Sure they are getting the attention they wanted, but is it really what they wanted afterall?

While the plot has been done again and again there is still something sort of likable about this movie. There is a hint of something darker than in the usual teen movies of this style. Sure the ending is predictable but some of the story is not, and the characters seem just a little bit smarter. The acting isn't bad especially from Adrian Grenier, who I hope to see in more movie in the future. He really made his character come to life, and was very believable. I do wish he had a little more to work with than he did though. Melissa Joan Hart did a fairly good job as well.

Overall the movie will probably appeal to most teenage girls (the target audience) and possibly some adults as well. I do feel that the movie could have packed more of a punch than it did, some more depth to some of the stories might have really made this a great movie. So while Drive Me Crazy isn't great by any means but it is an easy way to spend an hour and a half.

If you liked: Can't Buy Me Love (1987), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Pretty in Pink (1986) or She's All That (1999) you should like this movie.

Recommended:
Yes

Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older