Drive Me Crazy (book)

''Drive Me Crazy'' is a 1999 American teen romantic comedy film based on the novel ''How I Created My Perfect Prom Date'' by Todd Strasser. Originally entitled ''Next to You'', the film's title was changed to ''Drive Me Crazy'' after one of the songs from its soundtrack, "(You Drive Me) Crazy" by Britney Spears. The film, despite mixed reviews, with criticism aimed at its unoriginal plot, grossed $22.6 worldwide, against an $8 million budget, making it a moderate box office success. The soundtrack featured The Donnas, who also appeared in the film.

Plot

Nicole Maris, part of her high school's in-crowd, and Chase Hammond, a rebellious prankster bored with the status quo, grew up as next door neighbors and were childhood best friends. However, in junior high their opposing interests and the death of Chase's mother from cancer drove them apart.

During their senior year, Nicole dedicates much of her time into planning their high school's centennial dance, which she expects to go to with popular basketball player Brad Seldon. However, he falls in love with Kathy, a cheerleader from a rival school, and asks her to the dance instead of Nicole. Chase is dating Dulcie, a girl who ultimately leaves him for college student Joshua after Chase refuses to attend an animal rights protest with her.

One night, Nicole calls Chase and asks him to the dance, suggesting that they pretend to date to make Brad and Dulcie jealous. He agrees to her scheme and to have an easy out clause in the relationship, so it can end at any time with no hard feelings.

Nicole gives Chase a makeover to blend in with her preppy group, introducing him to social events where he befriends popular kids, realizing that he has more in common with them than he thought. Despite insisting to his old friends, Dave Ednasi and Ray Neeley, that it is all a scam and that he has not changed, they can clearly see the transformation. Dave especially resents that Chase has successfully been accepted by the in-crowd where his own attempts constantly fail.

While Chase does all the activities Nicole asks him, he eventually points out that everything that they have done is for her benefit. She agrees to do whatever he wants and they go to a club he used to frequent with Dulcie, where Nicole begins bonding with his friends. When Chase has a run in with Dulcie and Joshua, Nicole comes to his aid and kisses him, making Dulcie jealous.

Nicole's vindictive best friend Alicia DeGasario seduces Chase at a party, making sure that Nicole sees them together, leaving the latter heartbroken. Chase calls Dave to pick him up, since he is too drunk to drive. He angers Dave when he says that "everyone" was at the party, which Dave says is not true because he and Ray were not there. Chase retorts that he is merely jealous because he has never gotten into the cool clique whereas Chase has.

Meanwhile, Brad and Kathy break up due to lies spread by Alicia, and Dulcie also ends things with Joshua. Chase attempts to talk to Nicole about what happened with Alicia, but she rebuffs him, reminding him of the easy out clause. He eventually makes up with his friends and gets back together with Dulcie. Brad asks Nicole to the dance. Despite getting what he wanted from the beginning, Chase is unhappy with Dulcie. Meanwhile, Nicole turns Brad down and ends her friendship with Alicia.

The night of the dance, with no date, Nicole calls Ray, who had offered to take her earlier, and goes with him. While Chase is out with Dulcie, she realizes that he does not want to be there, or be with her. Ray and Nicole have fun together at the dance, but he departs upon Chase's arrival. He knows that, despite their claims that their relationship was never real, Chase is the one she wants to be with. Chase asks Nicole to dance and when she asks who they are trying to make jealous now, he says "everyone."

Later, Chase and Nicole come home from the dance and Nicole walks Chase to his door. They kiss, but are interrupted when they find Nicole's divorced mother with Chase's father. Their parents say that they are also in a relationship and are going to move in together. Nicole suggests that she and Chase discuss the new living arrangements in the treehouse they used to play in as children. Holding hands, they walk into Nicole's backyard and hug and kiss under the treehouse.

Cast

Filming locations

''Drive Me Crazy'' was filmed in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, including Ogden and Sandy. The high school scenes were filmed at Ogden High School. The street scene with 'Union Station' in the background features Ogden's Historic 25th Street and Union Station. The dance club scene was filmed inside the now-closed "Club Vortex" on Exchange Place. The mall scene was filmed at South Towne Center in Sandy.

Release

''Drive Me Crazy'' opened in the United States and Canada on October 1, 1999, in 2,222 theaters.

Critical reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, ''Drive Me Crazy'' has a score of 29% based on reviews from 38 critics. The site's consensus states: "Unoriginal story."

Box office

''Drive Me Crazy'' opened the same weekend as ''Three Kings'' in 720 fewer theaters, and opened at number six at the United States box office for the weekend with a gross of $6,846,112. The film went on to gross $17,845,337 in the United States and Canada and $4.7 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $22.6 million. Due to its low budget of $8.5 million, the picture was expected to recover its costs.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was released on September 28, 1999, by Jive Records.

; Track listing
# "(You Drive Me) Crazy" (The Stop Remix!) - Britney Spears (3:17)
# "Unforgetful You" - Jars of Clay (3:21)
# "I Want It That Way" (Jack D. Elliot Radio Mix) - Backstreet Boys (4:05)
# "It's All Been Done" - Barenaked Ladies (3:28)
# " Stranded" - Plumb (3:38)
# "Faith In You" - Matthew Sweet (3:32)
# "Is This Really Happening to Me?" - Phantom Planet (2:45)
# " One for Sorrow" (Tony Moran's 7" Mix) - Steps (3:30)
# "Hammer to the Heart" - The Tamperer featuring Maya (3:13)
# "Sugar" - Don Philip (3:51)
# "Regret" - Mukala (4:29)
# "Original" - Silage (2:15)
# "Help Save the Youth of America from Exploding" - Less Than Jake (2:54)
# " Keep on Loving You" - The Donnas (3:04)

"Turbo-Teen," the film's opening theme by Sugar High, was not included on the soundtrack. "Run Baby Run," by Deadstar, played during the club scene, was not included on the soundtrack. And "Wig-Wam Bam," by The Sweet, played at the end of the film, was not included on the soundtrack.

Home media

The film was released in DVD and VHS on March 14, 2000, and also in Blu-Ray on January 17, 2012.

References

External links

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1999 films
1990s high school films
1999 romantic comedy films
1990s teen comedy films
1990s teen romance films
20th Century Fox films
American high school films
American romantic comedy films
American teen comedy films
American teen romance films
Films based on American novels
Films based on young adult literature
Films directed by John Schultz (director)
Films shot in Salt Lake City
Films about proms
1990s English-language films
1990s American films
English-language romantic comedy films
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award–winning films