Well-observed characters suggest filmmakers know what it\'s like to be 17 in the 90s.

Well-observed characters suggest filmmakers know what it\'s like to be 17 in the 90s.

Can`t Hardly Wait is an American Graffiti for the 90s. This first feature by the writer-director team of Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont is an exuberant, likeable teen comedy almost entirely structured around an all-night end of high school party. The protagonist, Preston, Ethan Embry, has loved the gorgeous Amanda, Jennifer Love Hewitt, since the first day he saw her, but she`s been dating the obnoxious Mike, Peter Facinelli. However, the news is that Mike has dumped her (he reckons it`s now time to date college girls) and Preston sees his chance. Meanwhile, his friend Denise (Lauren Ambrose) finds herself locked in the bathroom with the nerdy Kenny (Seth Green) - it`s one of those nights. There`s nothing very new about this ungramatically titled film, but it`s all quite freshly and engagingly handled. The characters, both amusing and painful, are well observed, and you get the feeling that the filmmakers really know what it`s like to be 17 in the 90s. Much of the dialogue is witty, and the youthful cast is excellent company - and includes, perhaps, some stars of the future.