Review of PCU (1994) by Phil F — 02 Sep 2011

Anyone who dismisses this movie as a frat boy drunk fest is entirely missing the point. This film satirizes political correctness in this country, spotlighting the utter absurdity of the practice, and does this quite well.

The setting is Port Chester University (PCU), a Connecticut institution of higher learning that is befitting the initialism. Pretty much everyone on campus falls in line with the PC doctrine, with the major exception of members of The Pit, a nihilistic coed "fraternity" led by James "Droz" Andrews (Jeremy Piven), a seven-year college student.

Throwing 100 pounds of meat on a peaceful vegan protest, having a smoke-a-thon on Earth Day, and installing speed bumps on handicapped ramps are what these guys and girls do for fun. The Pit has many adversaries, including the yuppie Republican "fraternity" Balls and Shaft, led by Rand McPherson (David Spade), the President of PCU, and the Womynists.

Balls and Shaft want to reclaim the house that The Pit stole from them back in the sixties, and have the full support of the President, who presents The Pit with a $7500 damage bill that must be covered in order to keep the house and remain on campus.

Prospective student Tom (Chris Young) is enlisted to aid them in their quest to pay the damage bill, after he has managed to piss off the rest of the campus. Very entertaining movie. I give it four stars.