MovieChat Forums > American Pie 2 (2001) Discussion > Why I booed when when Jim pickes the Ban...

Why I booed when when Jim pickes the Band Geek

posted 14 years ago by haladay
32 replies | jump to latest

Just watched the writers commentary track of this movie and he mentions how he was in some theaters where people booed at the lighthouse scene when Jason turns down Nadia.

For me, Nadia isn't a bad character. She's obviously attractive but its more about her personality, i even feel like a liar saying that. Since she's a minor character in the 1st movie and develops more in the second, just like the Band Geek, she is a valid choice. I never really felt anything for Michelle and wouldn't feel bad if Jim had walked away from her. Jim and Nadia obviously like each other and it seems plausible that they could develop a relationship. Heck, they seemed happy at the end of the 1st movie where they re-establish connection through the web cam.

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{My goal in life is to have my own IMDb page.}

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] JackRabbitRutherford 14 years ago

Yeah but he still could've snuck a quick one in with Nadia before he went to proclaim his love for Michelle. It's not like he was technically dating her at that point. Plus that's what about 98% of men would've done. Just sayin'.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] JackRabbitRutherford 14 years ago

Not at all. No guilt here on my part for thinking that way. I just stated that solely to show it would've made for a more realistic story.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] JackRabbitRutherford 14 years ago

I thought it was understood that the 98% figure was completely unscientific, made-up, and to a point exaggerated but I guess I shouldn't take things for granted. Yet still, I'd be very shocked to find that an overwhelming majority of men wouldn't have banged her. As much as my opinion is no more valid than your opinion, I disagree that it was in keeping with his character. I've known many characters like Jim who are nice guys that just can't help themselves when it comes to carnal pleasures. And after all, I don't tend to think engaging in intercourse with a very attractive young women when you currently have no other romantic ties is as cold or heartless you have implied. It's certainly no reason to deny our basic animalistic urges on account of some egotistical standing of moral superiority. And after all that's all we are anyway is animals, just highly intelligent ones. That's life, hence why I felt it would've been more realistic.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] JackRabbitRutherford 14 years ago

If you didn't imply that it wasn't to be taken accurate, then I fail to see what you brought it up. This conversation is getting way too ridiculously and pretentiously philosophical. I've got my opinion based on my life experiences and you've got yours, and we're both entitled to each. So to say mine is less valid because I haven't proven the 98% by asking every single man in the world is quite simply ignorant. It's hyperbole, my friend. And by the way, there's nothing religious about the fact that humans are animals. 3rd grade science.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Spongeyone 14 years ago

When hot chicks throw themselves at single guys who like them (and don't have any, say, religious hangups about sex), they generally, as a pretty solid rule, accept having sex with them. Add to that the fact that Nadia is the more attractive personality in the first movie and I agree with the OP that him picking the flutist was stupid writing

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] mattking-657-159983 14 years ago

Exactly right.

Jim makes the right decision in the movie. It was brilliant writing and the writer did us a favor by making Michelle the choice for Jim. Like Jim said "Nadia was everything he used to look for in a girl."

He realized Michelle had everything he now wanted in girls because he was simply a "bandgeek, but never joined the band" type of guy.

Everyone is subject to their own opinions, but anyone that wanted Jim to pick Nadia clearly doesn't care for Jim's long term interests. He was too vurnerable to be heartbroken (Nadia would have eventually left him, she has no personality).

[–] captkirk_4 14 years ago

While these American Pie movies use the typical Hollywood convention of casting 20 somethings as teenagers, never for a minute did Shannon Elizabeth seem in the slightest like a Czech High School exchange student. She doesn't look a bit like a Czech nor do poor Soviet Bloc teenagers who do well in school sport breast implants.

[–] kuma_lacu 13 years ago

Agreed.. haha Its cool he picked her, but he could of had sex with Nadia and just never told her. After all that waiting and practice and anticipation... He has her alone and says "sorry, you're really hot but you aint good enough for me anymore..." Im a geek, so Nadia feel free to visit ANYTIME! ;)

[–] peach-girl-2 14 years ago

Nah.
Jim & Michelle are perfect for each other.
I hated it when Jim was with Nadia..

"No mother, I can blow myself!" - Buster Bluth, Arrested Development.

[–] Kareiyasu 14 years ago

It was the only part in the movie that sucked due to its lack of realism. Even on the DVD commentary one of the writers state that people booed when he picked Michelle. Mainly due to the fact that Nadia was already a "thing" for Jim, yea she was hot, but they liked each other. Michelle is just as much a sex symbol when she's throwing around perverted happenings at Jim. Michelle was the "5" with a heart of gold, and Nadia was 9 with the personality of a soap dish.

Then again she was willing to be with Jim which led to the infamous case of "The lucky nerd gets the hot chick somehow". Yes it was cliche that he chose the 5 but it didn't make it accurate at all. I'm from NYC, any guy would sleep with Nadia in a heartbeat down here, based on looks. Realistically Jim should have had sex with Nadia but stood with Michelle.

The more "mature" decision doesn't exist, because the band geek was just a pervert who could play an instrument, it was still immature on the whole. 99% of men in the state of NY and Florida would have sex with Nadia if offered, hyperbole? not that much, its safe to assume that a bigger demographic will choose the "hot chick", being shallow is just as bad as acting holier than thou.

"One gay beer for my friend, because he's gay, and one normal beer for me, because I'm normal."

[–] Jessica_Alba_Lover 14 years ago

In one of the original scripts for AP 2 online it ends with Jim getting with Nadia in a hotel room in a foreign country.

"Everybody's Gotta Have A Dream" - DJay From Hustle & Flow

[–] vanderghast 14 years ago

You are sure of that? How the 'foreign country' fits in ? sounds deus ex machina, or fake "original" script, since it just does not follow any continuation, given that there is no reason for them to go in a foreign country.

[–] Jessica_Alba_Lover 14 years ago

I think it was one, or maybe it could have just been a regular hotel.

I'll find the end of the script and post it then.

"Everybody's Gotta Have A Dream" - DJay From Hustle & Flow

[–] RoadSideAssistance 13 years ago

You missed the entire point of the movie. The whole movie was about change for the 4 boys.

Jim = Realizes Nadia was only a sex object that his friends pushed onto him. He was always very nervous around her and I disagree that all men would've gone at Nadia. At that point he was very sexually inexperienced and someone as hot and 'experienced' as Nadia made him nervous. Men actually get 'nervous' and a bit cowardly right before sex until they've done it enough. Jim had basically one and knew it was bad. GROWING POINT: Understanding what HE really wanted, and not what everyone else did (Nadia).

Kevin = Gets over his old High School relationship with Vicki and understands that life is moving forward. He can no longer live in the past with High School parties/relationships, but instead needs to start experiencing new events/people.

Finch = Getting over 'Stifler's Mom.' Although at the end for comedic relief they kept it in a bit.

Oz = This one is a bit more of a reach... not really sure what the major development was here.

[–] udonome86 13 years ago

I was glad Jim went for Michelle personally

[–] super_matt31 13 years ago

I think Michelle summed up what my outlook is on women (tho my friend disagree but he is wrong)

Ive said all along you could date miss world but eventually youd get bored of her in terms of sex.. well not bored.. but you know what i mean. My point being, personality is very important. Have a real woman, a nice person, funny, kind caring etc...

And whats also funny is that Michelle IS pretty. In the film shes a nerd, in real life shes a babe.

But anyway i also agree with the guy who said most men would sleep with Nadia because... Jim was not in a relationship with Michelle at that time (nor did Michelle tell him her feelings). Also.. Michelle had a lot of sexual experience, Jim did not. Therefore he may was to 'get some in' before settlign down with Michelle

But obviously it owuld not have made a very good film that way lol

[–] spongebobk-1 13 years ago

I must be alone then in finding Nadia not at all attractive and in fact very annoying.

[–] Chefeetaboopers 12 years ago

Nadia was cute IMO.. yes, she was pretty, but Jim never really mentioned anything more than her being hot. Sorry to break the news, but, not EVERYONE acts like animals. I, myself, and a few of my friends WEREN'T major animals in high school. Even now, I'd rather be with my fiancee and have fun with him than having to always be having sex. I am pretty sure it's a neutral thing and depends on each and every guy separately. Not EVERY guy would bang Nadia. Sorry, dude. There are those guys who are faithful. And, I'm pretty sure Jim liked Nadia when they got to the light house, but, just not in that way anymore. He was actually thinking with his real brain and heart for once. So, if you booed and said every guy would choose Nadia, that's just immaturity. Sorry, but it is.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Charlie_Runkle69 8 years ago

You seem a little confused. 1. You are a woman, are therefore a not a man, hence the scenario doesn't really apply to you as we all know most woman would make the right choice anyway.2. Jim was still single. Therefore he would not be cheating on michelle by banging Nadia before dating Michelle. 3. What woman may refer to as 'immaturity' when it comes to sex is actually what men refer to as 'the primal urge.". So whilst it was great the writers made Jim make the right choice, in this scenario where he hadn't yet began dating Michelle, 9o per cent plus of men would sleep with nadia first before making the decision to be with Michelle.

[–] superfan19 11 years ago

As a college/university age girl her are my thoughts:
I think Jim maybe should have been with Nadia for like 6 months then went back with Michelle. A real guy at his age just wants to get his dick wet. Especially at my school, guys only want to hook up and date later. If the sex is good and she's not crazy the guy will most likely date that girl. I'm only speaking from guys at my school. Having any type of relationship is hard enough, because people my age don't/can't want to commit to anything. As others have said, not all guys are like that.
Jim made the long term decision by being with Michelle and it was a good idea.
My 2 cents...

Life is Good
:)

[–] Viltrumite 11 years ago

It just occurred to me that Michelle is the only girl Jim has ever done, and he ended up marrying her. Wow.

[–] Thenewnexus 10 years ago

If i wanted to be with a girl just to hook up with or have fun then i would choose Nadia,but if i wanted a serious relationship and possibly marriage and kids i would go with Michelle. I would probably choose Michelle anyway,shes Willow from Buffy lol.

[–] patdog12241982 8 years ago

If you write a atory well, w/ enough emotional attachment to the characters, forethought/foreshadowing the 3rd act should practically write itself, I BELIEVE Herz says as much in the commentary. In '1' we hear 'rumors' of Finch scoring w/ an 'older woman' & later is clarified as Stifler's mom, THEN IT HAPPENS! There was still Sherman's storyline that needed a pay-off on the e"Nobody's ever gone for it" line, 2 birds, 1 stone = BRILLIANT WRITING! This also shows growth on all their parts IMHO.

I fell asleep during INCEPTION BUT I FEEL like I still saw it!

[–] tavaresmd 7 years ago

You'd think Michelle was deformed the way they're talking over here.

I liked Michelle eay better and she was pretty

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