"Money can buy popularity.. But it can't buy me love"
We're all familiar with the geeks/populars divide. No matter what school you're from, it happens. The most popular of popular girls can go out with whoever she likes whenever she likes. So why oh why would Cindy Mancini, the most popular girl in school, decide to date Ronald Miller, a known nerd and the guy who cuts her lawn? If you asked me, i'd be clueless. But if Cindy hadn't gotten wine spilt all over her outfit at a party, the whole thing would never have happened..
Ronny (Patrick Dempsey in probably his most adorable '80s role!) can't help but love Cindy - the girl of his dreams. But girls like her and guys like him just don't date. Unless, of course, money is involved. After Ronny bails Cindy out of a desperate situation, she owes him pretty big. And the only way Ronald allows her to return the favour is by posing as his girlfriend! When they turn up at school and are seen walking down the hall together, the popular crowd can't help but wonder why.
Soon Ronny is accepted as one of them - he ditches his real friends and decides that being cool is more important. The act soon turns sour grapes when - in a drunken slur - Cindy 'fesses up to her mates. Ronny falls out with the popular crowd, and loses Cindy too. He's lost his "nerdy" but true friends. His life is ruined.
But not for long.
VERDICT: ★★★★ ½
Can't Buy me Love is the ultimate feel-good teen movie. It'll make you smile, laugh and maybe even shed a tear all at once. It's got nerds, it's got jocks, it's got '80s hair, '80s clothes, '80s music, Dempsey, and a good few morals, too. It's another of those Romeo and Juliet plots - but when I say another - this one ranks up high. Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson have fantastic chemistry and make the most perfect of couples. But I think most of all, the speech about the pettiness of high school cliques will hit a note with everyone, whether you were popular at school or not.
IMAGES/VIDEOS: [trailer]
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SOUNDTRACK:
1. Can't Buy Me Love - The Beatles
2. Dancin' With Myself - Billy Idol
3. Misfit - Curiosity Killed The Cat
4. As Long As I Can Last - Randy Hall
5. One Lover at a Time - Atlantic Starr
6. One for the Mockingbird - Cutting Crew
7. Burnin' - Rebel Faction
8. French Kissing - Carol Chapman
9. Actress - Randy Hall
10. Secret Agent Man - Kipp Lennon
11. Living in a Box - Living in a Box
12. Certain Things Are Likely - KTP
13. Surfin' Safari - The Beach Boys
14. All Night Long - Randy Hall
15. Don't Wanna Be Your Fool - Brittan
16. Hearts Radio - The Blue Sparks From Hell
17. Fallen Hero - Steve Grisham & Dwayne Evans
