REEL REVIEW:’Superbad’s’ comedy reveals life message

I will preface this review of “Superbad” by noting the film receives a MPAA rating of “R” based on “pervasive crude and sexual content, strong language, drinking, some drug use and a fantasy/comic violent image — all involving teens.”

If this dubious distinction precludes you from seeing this movie, then read no further. However, if you decide to skip seeing this box office success, you will be missing perhaps the funniest film of the year and surprisingly, a rather tender love story.

The film chronicles the escapades of Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera), two geeky high school seniors who have been lifelong friends. As they enter the last semester of high school, the duo — heretofore inseparable — learn their paths are about to diverge. Evan has been accepted at Dartmouth where he will room with über geek Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), while the less academically inclined Seth trundles off to a state college.

Determined to have the time of their lives during their last summer together, the two social outcasts get invited to a graduation party thrown by the popular Jules (Emma Stone) on the condition they can supply booze for the bash. Seth and Evan think they can deliver on this promise as Fogell has procured a fake ID.

Their hopes are dashed when Fogell produces an obviously phony Hawaiian driver’s license claiming he is 25 and goes by the single name McLovin. Despite long odds of success, Seth and Evan talk Fogell into making the attempt using $100 given to them by Jules.

The three teens get into one hilarious situation after another, sometimes separately, sometimes collectively. The boys, particularly Seth, let nothing get in the way of making it to Jules’ party with the alcohol. On the way they encounter a collection of memorable characters, especially two rogue cops played by co-writer Seth Rogen and “Saturday Night Live” alumnus Bill Hader.

However, the constant thread throughout the film is the special friendship between Seth and Evan. To paraphrase a line from “Stand by Me,” you never again have friends like you had in childhood. Seth’s angst caused by the imminent departure of his lifelong friend is played for laughs but one is left with the undeniable sense of irrecoverable loss.

While the crude speech and antics of the teenagers featured in “Superbad” may offend some, for better or worse it is the language of this generation. Nonetheless, while profane, Seth and Evan display the honorable traits of devotion and friendship. If in the end this is the primary message, and we can heartily laugh along the way, then “Superbad” surely delivers.