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(Stay Cool)
World Narrative Feature Competition
[STAYC] | 2009 | 109 min | Feature Narrative
Directed by: Michael Polish
USAWorld Premiere
Interests: Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Identity, RomanceCast & Credits
Director: Michael Polish
Screenwriter: Mark Polish
Producer: Mark Polish, Michael Polish, Jonathan Sheldon, Janet DuBois
Production Designer: Clark Hunter
Program Notes
Mild-mannered Henry McCarthy (Mark Polish), an accomplished author, returns home to give the commencement speech at his high school. But even after 20 years, it feels like he never left. Henry stays in his old room, perfectly preserved with '80s artifacts, and a luggage mishap leaves him no choice but to squeeze into clothes still hanging in his closet. Within hours of reuniting with his old pals (Sean Astin and Josh Holloway), they crack the yearbook and convince Henry to call his old crush, Scarlet (Winona Ryder), who has just broken up with her ex-jock boyfriend. Things for Henry are off to a decent start, but enter a sexy high school senior who wants to take him to prom (Hilary Duff), his nervous book agent (Jon Cryer), his parents (who seem as unchanged as the bedroom), and a wily principal (Chevy Chase), and it all gets complicated.
The Polish brothers (Twin Falls Idaho) are already a force in American independent filmmaking, and their latest collaboration is an intelligent and insightful romp that breathes new life into the romantic comedy. Superbly mixed with just the right amount of nostalgia and wit, the film transports us back to brighter days with vivid cinematography, a terrific soundtrack, and wonderful performances bursting with comedic flavor.











