The Last American Virgin
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| The Last American Virgin | |
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 The Last American Virgin movie poster, emphasizing the bands present in the soundtrack |
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| Directed by | Boaz Davidson |
| Produced by | Yoram Globus Menahem Golan David Womark |
| Written by | Boaz Davidson |
| Starring | Lawrence Monoson Joe Rubbo Diane Franklin |
| Music by | Deborah Harry Mark Allen |
| Cinematography | Adam Greenberg |
| Editing by | Bruria Davidson |
| Distributed by | Cannon Film Distributors |
| Release date(s) |  June 26, 1982 July 15, 1982 July 30, 1982 October 1, 1982 June 3, 1983 March 28, 1984 |
| Running time | 92 min. |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
The Last American Virgin is a 1982 teen coming-of-age film in the same vein as Summer Break, Better Off Dead and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The Last American Virgin is memorable as the only film of the genre not to feature a happy ending. Rather than the hero getting the girl of his dreams, the film ends with the kind-hearted hero in tears as he loses his girl to the bad boy. As with all films of the genre, the soundtrack is an 1980s pop archive; it featured songs by Lionel Richie, REO Speedwagon, The Cars, Blondie, The Police, and James Ingram.
The Last American Virgin is a remake of the Israeli film Eskimo Limon (1978). After the success of the original and several sequels, writer/director Boaz Davidson re-teamed with producers Golan-Globus to attempt to re-create the same success in the United States. Davidson decided, however, to change a few key elements from the original. Eskimo Limon was a nostalgia film about kids growing up in 1950s Israel — similar to George Lucas's American Graffiti, however the remake was set in present day suburban Los Angeles. The soundtrack was also updated from golden oldies to more contemporary New Wave rock.
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[edit] Plot synopsis
The plot closely follows the original Eskimo Limon, and revolves around protagonist Gary (Lawrence Monoson) a typical highschooler, and his friends Rick (Steve Antin) — the slick ladies man, and David (Joe Rubbo) — the Belushi’esque fat guy.
Most of the plot involves their numerous failed attempts to hook up. However, early on in the film, a love triangle develops between Gary, Rick and Karen (Diane Franklin, later of Better Off Dead fame). Gary is secretly in love with Karen, but his dreams of dating her are over when she hooks up with Rick.
Eventually Rick gets Karen pregnant and leaves her without any money for an abortion. Gary decides to help Karen pay for her abortion by selling most of his possessions and borrowing money from his boss. After the abortion, Gary and Karen spend the remainder of the weekend alone together in Gary's grandmother's house. They seem to hit it off and Karen invites Gary to her birthday party the following week. Gary scrapes up a few more dollars and buys Karen a gold bracelet for her birthday.
However when Gary arrives at the party his dreams are shattered when he sees Karen making out with Rick. The film ends with the credits rolling over a close up of tears streaming down Gary's face as he drives home.
[edit] Cast
- Lawrence Monoson as Gary
- Joe Rubbo as David
- Diane Franklin as Karen
- Steve Antin as Rick
- Kimmy Robertson as Rose
- Paul Keith as Father
- Michael Chieffo as Soda Jerk
[edit] Soundtrack
The soundtrack is a memorable compendium of 1980s radio hits.
- "Oh No" - The Commodores
- "Whip It" - Devo
- "Open Arms" - Journey
- "Keep On Loving You" - REO Speedwagon
- "I Will Follow" - U2
- "I Know What Boys Like" - The Waitresses
- "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" - The Police
- "Just Once" - James Ingram
- "Are You Ready For the Sex Girls?" - Gleaming Spires
- "That's the Way (I Like It)" - KC and the Sunshine Band
- "Love Action (I Believe In Love)" - Human League
- "Better Luck Next Time" - Oingo Boingo
- "Since You’re Gone" & "Shake It Up" - The Cars
- "Besame Mucho & Granada"- Fabulous Paraguayas
- "It Aint Easy Comin' Down" - Charlene
- "When I Find You" - Phil Seymour
- "Zero Hour" - The Plimsouls
- "Teen Angel Eyes" - Tommy Tutone
- "Airwaves" - The Fortune Band
- "In the Flesh" - Blondie
[edit] Trivia
- Joe Rubbo (David) works as a mortgage broker in Florida and still remains good friends with Steve Antin and Lawrence Monoson. He also had a part in another Golan-Globus sex comedy, Hot Chilli.
- The Last American Virgin was released two months before Lawrence Monoson's seventeenth birthday.
- Steve Antin is also known for his role in another 1980s film, The Goonies.
- Director Boaz Davidson had intended this as the first in a series of films, much like Eskimo Limon or Porky's, but since it was only moderately successful this never happened.
- After the abortion, Gary comes in with a pine tree, a symbol of fertility and birth, and oranges, a symbol of chastity and marriage.
