The Last American Virgin

Infobox Film
name = The Last American Virgin


caption = "The Last American Virgin" movie poster, emphasizing the bands present in the soundtrack
director = Boaz Davidson
producer = Yoram Globus
Menahem Golan
David Womark
writer = Boaz Davidson
starring = Lawrence Monoson
Joe Rubbo
Diane Franklin
Louisa Moritz
music = Deborah Harry
Mark Allen
cinematography = Adam Greenberg
editing = Bruria Davidson
distributor = Cannon Film Distributors
released = flagicon|Japan June 26, 1982
flagicon|Germany July 15, 1982
flagicon|United States July 30, 1982
flagicon|Finland October 1, 1982
flagicon|Sweden June 3, 1983
flagicon|Norway March 28, 1984
runtime = 92 min.
country = USA
language = English
amg_id = 1:28282
imdb_id = 0084234

"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 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.

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 have sex. However, 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, after helping Karen get an abortion, he finds her back with Rick.

Carmela

One day Gary happens to be delivering pizza to Carmela (Louisa Moritz), a sexy lonely older Mexican woman whose sailor mate is never home, and she hints to him she wants more than just pizza. Being too afraid to follow on it, he goes away and convinces his friends to go along with him. They drop by her home using the pretext they were nearby on a pizza delivery and decided to bring her over some extra pizzas. She lets them in, puts on music and starts dancing.

Afterwards, she takes them in sequence - each in his turn - to have sex with her in her bedroom. Carmela's characteristic is that she moans loudly during the intercourse. Rick is the first to take initiative, and once he's done, he leaves her bedroom and sends David in. At first David hesitates, but follows up when Carmela tells him "Come to me, my big burrito!". After he's done, she exits her bedroom and points to Gary, but unfortunately for him just then Carmela's mate returns home. Gary and Rick manage to quickly dress before he sees them. Carmela pretends she was helping her "neighbor boys from downstairs" with their Spanish homework, but then David walks out of her bedroom still in his underwear and says, "What a nympho." Carmela's mate gets furious and the protagonists (with David just half dressed) have to run away.

"Nice guys finish last"

Eventually, Rick gets Karen pregnant and leaves her. 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.

"The Last American Virgin" is memorable as the only film of the genre not to feature a happy ending. [ [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20033899,00.html Virgin Territory] , "Entertainment Weekly"]

Cast

*Lawrence Monoson as Gary
*Diane Franklin as Karen
*Steve Antin as Rick
*Joe Rubbo as David
*Louisa Moritz as Carmela
*Brian Peck as Victor
*Kimmy Robertson as Rose
*Tessa Richarde as Brenda

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

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0084234|title=The Last American Virgin
*amg movie|id=1:28282|title=The Last American Virgin
* [http://www.believermag.com/issues/200605/?read=article_selsberg Andy Selsberg writes about LAV in The Believer, May 2006]
* [http://www.mrskin.com/Articles/190.htm Online cast reunion, July 2007]
* [http://www.mrskin.com/Articles/33.htm Director Eli Roth on LAV, July 2004]
* [http://www.youtube.com/lastamericanvirgin Roth conducts Q&A with cast at 25th anniversary screening at the New Beverly Cinema in Hollywood, California. August 8, 2007.]