The To Do List Review

Justin and I saw The To Do List on July 27, 2013. I found this movie to be funny, smart, and even though some people will scoff at the basic premise of the movie, it was done very well, and kept me entertained the whole time. I should start off by saying that I am a huge fan of Aubrey Plaza. I find her to be extremely cute, hilarious (in a deadpan humor sort of way-similar to the way Leslie Nielsen was with his humor), and intelligent. Plaza was awesome as Brandy Clark, an academic throughout her high school year that is heckled for being a virgin by her friends Fiona and Sarah. Her awkward encounter with Rusty Waters at a party puts the thought in her head to become more sexually experienced by making a list of things she must do in order to accomplish this. Rusty Waters is somebody that you just can't stand because of how conceited he is. Throughout the movie, Brandy delivers great dialogue that had me laughing throughout. Plaza knows exactly what to do to make a scene funnier. There are alot of fun subplots going on such as Cameron played by Johnny Simmons being interested in Brandy. She doesn't see him in that light, but one thing you'll notice about her list through several hilarious scenes is that most of them are accomplished with him. I liked that aspect a great deal. I also liked her job as a lifeguard at the community pool. The interactions shes has with Bill Hader are very funny, especially a scene paying homage to Caddyshack, but in a more extreme way. Both Connie Britton and Clark Gregg did excellent jobs as the parents, and I found Gregg's role as the father to be particularly entertaining. Rachel Bilson plays Amber, Brandy's completely opposite sister. Bilson is extremely beautiful. I liked her interactions with Plaza a great deal. They demonstrated sibling rivalry and bonding well. This movie flows very well, and is the best comedy I've seen since 21 Jump Street. I thought each subplot connected well, and the cast really made the characters interesting. From the openeing with Brandy as the valedictorian to the list & complications with Cameron to the connection with Fiona and Sarah (the obsession with Beaches and rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings was great) to the job at the pool to Brandy's interactions with Amber & her parents to Brandy's crush & complicated interactions with Rusty, this movie delivers on all level whether it's comedy or drama. It was very well done and I give it a 4/5. Great performances by everybody involved!! Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite people in entertainment.