With a cast that reads like the who’s-who of comedy, WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER is a tour de force of campy (literally) humor. Numbering in the top 10 of this reviewer’s list of best movies, WET HOT is infinitely quotable (“We do need a druid and you have definitely cast a level 5 charm spell on me”) and totally outrageous.

It’s the story that doesn’t have/need resolution, it’s every trope you know, and sometimes it’s pure nonsense (cue the sound of glass breaking whenever an object is thrown, cue life guidance from a talking can of vegetables).

WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER is the brainchild of David Wain and Michael Showalter of MTV’s sketch show THE STATE (possibly the greatest group of sketch comics to grace the planet) and showcases the ridiculous events of the last day of a summer camp with all the wackiness that brings (pent up sexual frustration, restless counselors, tears, finally finding friends, and so on). It’s a movie with lots of firsts for me – the first time I fell in love with Paul Rudd (his jean jacket jackin’ it character inspired my best Halloween costume ever), the first time a romantic scene happened with a goat present, the first time I associated Rick Springfield with crime/hard drugs, and the first time I saw a homosexual love scene (several years before BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN!) focused on a well positioned soccer ball.

The summer is really in full effect now – the perfect opportunity for a nostalgic stroll down memory lane. Cool off at midnight with the film that will help teach you this, what is it, a new way?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73VlfCk6hAs

WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER (2001) DIR. DAVID WAIN

6/20 & 6/21 – 11:59PM
$10.25

Coolidge Corner Theatre
290 Harvard Street
Brookline, MA 02446