Love might not cost a thing, but in this Nick Cannon, Christina Milian flick, high school popularity costs $1,500 - and a whole lot of Sean John clothing.
Way back in the '80s, there was a little flick called Can't Buy Me Love, which was about a dude who buys the attention of a popular girl in an attempt to make himself popular. Now, in 2003, we've got the remake Love Don't Cost a Thing, starring Nick Cannon and Christina Milian. Does new mean improved? Find out!
Love Don't Cost a Thing: The Deal
The storyline is basically the same here as in the old-skool version (Can't Buy Me Love). A geeky guy named Alvin (played by Nick Cannon) has made a ton of cash cleaning pools for his neighbors and he's supposed to use the dosh to fund a project that could land him a full scholarship to college. But he's crushing big-time on this popular girl named Paris (played by Christina Milian). Paris crashes her mom's car (the one she's not supposed to drive - like, ever!) and has no cash to fix it. Alvin offers to use his cash to fix the car, and the only thing Paris has to do to pay him back is hang with him in public for two weeks.
Love Don't Cost a Thing: Thumbs Up
Love Don't Cost a Thing has some funny moments. Alvin doing Michael Jackson dance moves on diving boards as he cleans pools is worth a giggle. So are some of the smart-mouthed lines out of Paris' mouth, like, "Excuse me? I don't think I am requesting interviews today." And Alvin's geeked-out friends are a riot.
Love Don't Cost a Thing: Thumbs Down
The problem with this film is, it's hard to believe that any high school environment is this superficial and stupid. There is an entire hallway at the school that "losers" are not allowed to walk down for fear of physical assault. And, the biggest factor in making you popular seems to be how much Sean John clothing you own. Whatever! Steve Harvey, who plays Alvin's dad, starts off kinda funny but then gets just plain tasteless and raunchy. Also, some parts of the plot never get resolved and it's annoying.
Love Don't Cost a Thing: The Bottom Line
Nick Cannon and Christina Milian are good actors, and you will dig the chemistry between them, even though the storyline is lame. But that said, it may be the kinda chemistry you can wait until the DVD is released to see. In the meantime, just for fun, you can always rent the original, Can't Buy Me Love.
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