Stay Cool

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Stay Cool Photos

View All Photos

Movie Info

Henry McCarthy (Mark Polish), the 30-something author of the popular 80s-themed novel How Lionel Got Me Laid, returns to his suburban hometown of Sacramento to deliver the commencement speech at his former high school. Despite his success as an author Henry's return home has sparked all of the youthful dreams, desires and particularly disappointments he's never quite gotten over, specifically his unrequited affection for the girl who is now the local pharmacist: the elusive Scarlet Smith (Winona Ryder). Between run-ins with the outcast friends he left behind Big Girl (Sean Astin) and Wino (Josh Holloway), the school principal (Chevy Chase) and a seductive senior, Shasta O'Neil (Hilary Duff) who clearly has the hots for him, Henry is sent spinning through a time warp that incites all the old emotions and challenges of the world he grew up in. -- (C) Initiate Productions

Rating:

PG-13 (for sexual content, language including some drug references, and some underage drinking)
Genre:

Comedy
Directed By:

Ted Smith
Written By:

Mark Polish
In Theaters:

Sep 16, 2011 limited
On Disc/Streaming:

Dec 20, 2011
Runtime:

94 minutes
Studio:

Cinedigm Films

Watch it now

Netflix

iTunes

Cast

Mark Polish
as Henry McCarthy

Winona Ryder
as Scarlet Smith

Hilary Duff
as Shasta O'Neil

Sean Astin
as Big Girl

Josh Holloway
as Wino

Jon Cryer
as Javier

Chevy Chase
as Principal Marshall

Frances Conroy
as Mrs. Leuchtenberger

Jessica St. Clair
as Darcy Portola

Marc Blucas
as Brad

Joanna Cassidy
as Mrs. Smith

Ken Johnson
as Mr. O'Neil

Jessica Schatz
as Mrs. O'Neil

Dee Wallace
as Mrs. McCarthy

Michael Gross
as Mr. McCarthy

Scott Michael Campbell
as Officer Bird

Ashley Bell
as Valedictorian

View All

Critic Reviews for Stay Cool

All Critics (7) | Top Critics (1) | DVD (1)

Attempts to pay homage to the '80s oeuvre of filmmaker John Hughes, but its singular lack of emotional logic, charm and humor bring to mind a couple of hours in detention instead.

Sep 15, 2011 | Rating: 1.5/5 | Full Review…

Robert Abele
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic
Stay Cool is their most grounded effort, attacking the formulaic discomfort and confusion of an impending high school reunion. It doesn't always convince, but it's the most approachable Polish production to date.

Sep 15, 2011 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

Brian Orndorf
BrianOrndorf.com
There is much here to find admirable but a whole lot less to genuinely like.

Jun 22, 2009 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Amber Wilkinson
Eye for Film
like an exercise in calculated nostalgia

May 6, 2009 | Rating: 2/5

Marlow Stern
Manhattan Movie Magazine
This is thoroughly a family affair, but with the Polish brothers' upcoming film Manure just around the corner, Stay Cool feels a bit rushed, suggesting nothing more than an homage to Pretty in Pink or Some Kind of Wonderful.

May 3, 2009 | Full Review…

Adam Keleman
Slant Magazine

View All Critic Reviews (7)

Audience Reviews for Stay Cool

Sep 07, 2014

After graduating high school and getting as far away from his small home town as possible, Henry McCarthy(Mark Polish, who also wrote the screenplay while his brother Michael directed) made it big by writing a best selling novel about his high school experiences. That entitles him to give one high school commencement speach. But somehow the airline is not so impressed when they lose his luggage. At least Henry has friends(Sean Astin & Josh Holloway) who are still there to give him a ride from the airport. And then Henry starts immediately obsessing over Scarlet(Winona Ryder) who barely knew he existed in high school and has problems of her own currently with her ex-husband Brad(Marc Blucas). "Stay Cool" is an uneven comedy with some great moments in amusingly detailing how high school never really ends. One can simply try to move on as best as one can. Just as much as Mark Polish's awkwardness in the lead works both for and against the movie, the movie's main strength comes from its supporting cast, namely Winona Ryder who definitely needs to be in more movies. Otherwise, there are a couple of odd references and product placement.

Walter M Super Reviewer
Apr 19, 2012

Stay Cool is a romantic comedy that has some fun, but doesn't quite know where it's going. The story involves a writer who returns to his hometown to deliver the commencement address at his former high school, and along the way he visits some old friends, including his former high school crush. The film has an interesting cast, which includes Mark Polish, Winona Ryder, Sean Astin and Hilary Duff. And while they all play some pretty fun characters, they don't always seem like they're in the same film. Still, a lot of the film works and it has some interesting things to say about the high school experience and how it affects our lives. Stay Cool has its moments, but has trouble delivering a satisfying story.

Dann M Super Reviewer
Mar 18, 2012

With a big cast and Mark Polish taking the writing and acting roles, Stay Cool lands mostly on its feet. About an author who returns to his hometown and revisits old relationships from high school, Stay Cool is slightly above any straight-to-DVD releases in its class, but still lacks that something special that sells it on the big screen.

Christopher H Super Reviewer
Jan 07, 2012

This film had it's moments. The characters were enjoyable and the juxtaposation of the audio-book and the situations happening on the screen helped bring a third dimension to the story. The film has it's glitches and problems (such as a 37 year old being so easily manipulated by an 18 year old.) but it makes up with the connection you have with the lead character. This is my first polish brothers film and it makes me want to look into their films more so Mike & Michael, you got a new fan. P.S.- Wynona Ryder, hottest actress EVER!!!

Joshua W Super Reviewer