Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘All the Boys Love Mandy Lane’

Written by Scott Edwards

High school was always a popularity contest and while some people loved to be at the top of the class, the ones that could care less were left behind. Not saying that this is a good thing or not, but some people have been known to peak in high school and most of the time these were not the people that stayed out of the spotlight. As time has gone by and I look back at my high school days, I think I had it pretty chill, and never really wanting to go out and party with the cool kids did make a difference as to who my true friends were. 

As hormones start to rage during the end of junior year, the boys at school are starting to see how Mandy Lane is quickly growing up. With a new appeal, they all want to take a shot at her, but somehow, she is able to shut them all down. With her best friend Emmet by her side, Mandy knows that she will never be alone, but things are about to go drastically wrong when she decides to go to a pool party. When Dylan decides to show off to impress Mandy, he attacks Emmet and while he is fully able to destroy and embarrass the best friend, he starts to think better of his decision. Winding up on the roof of his house, Emmet tries to convince Dylan that he needs to do something to make himself a cut above the rest of the losers trying to get with his friend. Dylan knows what to do and when he takes a leap of faith and lands short of the pool, it is apparent that boys will do anything for Mandy Lane.

After nine months have passed, Mandy has moved on with her life and is trying to make new friends to replace the relationship she had with Emmet. Hanging out with Chloe and Marlin, two of the more popular girls, she is starting to feel like she belongs. When Red asks Mandy to tag along to his family’s ranch, Chloe is able to get the sweet girl to say yes. While this is a great way to make some more friends as Red, Bird and Jake are coming along as well, Mandy might actually find that she is accepted into the group in more than one way. But the boys are looking for something more than just being friends with Mandy and all they want is to take their shots at her before her innocence is taken by another. Mandy is starting to recognize this and wants to keep herself distanced from them and just have a good time, but the boys are relentless.

While Chloe has the same plan in mind for Jake, she finds out that Marlin has become his part time squeeze and the two desperately want each other. Not understanding what is happening between the two since Marlin is not as hot as she is, Chloe is thinking about ways to make them jealous of her and with the hot ranch hand Garth roaming around the property, she might take her shot at an older man. As the night closes in, the group is having a good time, but with so much booze flowing, feelings are soon hurt, and Jake leaves the confines of the house. When Marlin is able to go and comfort him for a short time, she is left alone in the dark and a masked figure comes to teach her a lesson. When Marlin does not return to the house and Mandy refuses put out for Jake, he heads out to try to find her, but what he finds is a bloody mess and someone wanting to kill him. One by one, Mandy’s new friends are being targeted by a killer that is on the loose outside of the house and while nobody knows who is behind the attacks, they should know that Mandy will be there every step of the way.

I was happy to see this movie pop back up on one of my viewing queues since I missed it last time it was there. If you're looking for a dark high school movie, this is definitely the one to watch since it has it all, sex, drugs, alcohol… murder. I found the desperation from the guys to be fascinating as they all took their shots at Mandy and either got shut down by someone else showing up, or because she was not interested, but they were relentless. I also really liked the role of the former best friend Emmet, especially after Mandy distances herself from him for his attempt to get a classmate to kill himself. Chloe are Marlin were cute together, especially when they were fighting about who they should sleep with on the trip, but their attitudes are just what you would expect from high school girls. I liked how the story played out and Mandy’s hesitation of all of the boys’ advances towards her. I don’t want my money or time back from this movie, but I would really like to see a sequel with Mandy back in all of her glory. Stay Scared.

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