Matthew, a college freshman, meets his dream girl in a dorm elevator during a blackout. He never sees her face, but instantly falls in love. In the morning, the power is restored, but the “dream girl” has vanished. All Matthew knows is that she lives in an all-girls dorm. He sets out on a semester-long journey to find his mystery girl among a hundred female suspects. Could it be Wendy? Dora? Arlene? Patty? Cynthia? Or the 95 other girls, any of whom could have been in that elevator with Matthew.
“100 Girls” 2000 Movie Review: A Coming-of-Age Comedy with a Quest for Identity
Introduction “100 Girls,” directed by Michael Davis and released in 2000, is a coming-of-age comedy that mixes humor, romance, and a bit of mystery. The film stars Jonathan Tucker as Matthew, a college freshman who embarks on a quest to find a mystery woman he met in an elevator during a blackout. Positioned as a light-hearted exploration of male-female relationships from a young man’s perspective, “100 Girls” attempts to delve into themes of love, identity, and gender dynamics.
Plot Overview After a power outage leads to a romantic encounter with an unidentified woman in an elevator, Matthew becomes obsessed with finding her. Believing that she lives in an all-girls dorm, he sneaks in and takes on the job of a maintenance man. As he interacts with various residents, he learns more about women and relationships than he anticipated. The narrative unfolds as Matthew grows and learns through his interactions, all while searching for the woman who captured his heart.
Cast and Performances Jonathan Tucker delivers a charming performance as Matthew, effectively portraying both his comedic misunderstandings and genuine insights about relationships. The ensemble cast of women, including Emmanuelle Chriqui and Katherine Heigl, each add depth and humor to their roles, providing varied perspectives on love and identity that challenge Matthew’s initial perceptions.
Direction and Cinematography Michael Davis directs “100 Girls” with a focus on humor and dialogue, using the college dorm setting to frame Matthew’s journey of discovery. The cinematography is straightforward, capturing the youthful energy of the college environment while keeping the focus tightly on the interactions between characters.
Themes and Symbolism The film explores themes of sexual identity and the complexity of relationships through Matthew’s mission to find his mystery woman. It attempts to address the misconceptions and stereotypes that often plague male-female relationships, using Matthew’s dialogue with various characters as a vehicle for discussing these themes. The elevator, where Matthew and the woman first meet, serves as a metaphor for the ups and downs of relationships and the idea of getting to different levels of understanding.
Conclusion While “100 Girls” leans heavily into the territory of late ’90s, early 2000s teen comedies, complete with the expected clichés and sometimes cringe-worthy humor, it also provides a thoughtful, if uneven, look at young love and understanding the opposite sex. The film’s narrative of self-discovery and lessons about gender dynamics offers more than just laughs, making it a memorable, if not groundbreaking, addition to the genre.
Final Thoughts For those who enjoy comedies about college life and romantic quests, “100 Girls” offers a mix of humor and heart. It’s a film that tries to go beyond typical genre conventions to offer insights into relationships, making it worth a watch for fans of the genre looking for a dose of nostalgia and some thoughtful moments.
