Apr 28, 2011 – I don’t really get the whole Prom thing. I don’t mean the movie – the actual party.
Nobody’s fault here. I went to High School in Costa Rica. At least back then (it’s been a while) there wasn’t such a thing as a Prom for graduation. There was a party, of course. Finishing High School was a big deal, especially for a family like mine, out of which I was the very first person ever, on both sides of the family, to do so.
Whoever organized the party back in 198_ (something) when I graduated rented a fancy ballroom in Hotel Irazu (at the time one of the best in town) and charged a pretty penny for a family table - meaning that my folks, my aunt, my grandma, and anybody (but no more than 8 people) who ever cared about me, went. I got a pretty dress, blue, in a suede-like material (I know) with lacy light blue sleeves. My hair was in a curly splendor. What can I say, I rocked it. The few pictures I have are all with family members, and I did not have a date. Nobody did. It just wasn’t done. Besides, I had just turned 16 (I skipped a grade) but still looked like I was 13.
So, you can understand my disconnection as I watched the new Disney movie PROM about high schoolers getting ready for a party I would have never been allowed to go to, with girls buying cake looking dresses and guys going all out asking “PROM?” to the girls who were expecting them to make a big deal about it. And Prom Queens and Kings!
But yeah, I can see how such a thing could be fun. It looks fun on PROM, I mean, especially if one’s date looks like Thomas McDonell, who plays Jesse Richter in the movie. To be honest, I was secretly embarrassed to find a high school teenager rather hot looking, but I feel better now that I know McDonell is just playing a teenager – in real life he’s already 24.
Anyhow, PROM is tremendously predictable. Exactly what you think will happen to each character does happen. That, however, does not mean that the movie is not enjoyable. Your kids will love it. They will “ooooh” and “aaahhhh” over every already-expected development, your girls will grin/dream over McDonell, and the boys will hope there’ll be a Danielle Campbell in their life in their Senior year.
And you, person over 16, you will be reminded of your Prom if you had one, and if not, like me, you’ll be reminded of whatever it was you did to celebrate your big young milestone.
PROM opens Friday April 29. It is rated PG. More info at http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/prom/#home
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