Superbad and the date rape issue - seven years later (spoilers)

Now that I've had a chance to mature a little more (I was 23 when I first saw Superbad in theaters), the potential date rape issue is complicated and just a little unsettling on the outset.

Seth's plan to get Jules drunk would have been date rape regardless of what type of penetration or act was involved. Tongue, fingers, dry-humping, wouldn't matter. The climactic twist and catharsis reveals the subtext of Seth's scheme wasn't so much "get Jules wasted to take advantage of her" as it was "get Jules drunk because I'm a fat loser and this girl I like wouldn't possibly get with me otherwise." In other words, it's a misguided play born out of self-loathing, but would still be rape regardless.

While the way the situation resolves itself is sort of noble and poignant, the fact that sober Jules doesn't kick drunken Seth's arse to the curb after his tearful confession lets Seth skirt by with admitting a plot to do something awful that is thwarted because Jules never drinks. On the other hand, judging by the ending mall scene Jules is also giving Seth a second chance and an opportunity to learn and grow up. We're left to assume that he will.

Evan gets himself wasted so that having sex with already wasted Becca will be 'ethical,' but ends up being man enough to realize it's still wrong. He puts into practice what he's been preaching all day. It's unclear whether the girl Fogell actually does bang (for a few seconds) is sober or not. I hope she is.

The key thing to keep in mind about Superbad is that in one way or another, big or small, most of us were terrible in high school. Ultimately Seth and Evan don't win by getting laid but by being placed in sketchy situations and having their integrity tested. IMO Evan passes, Seth barley makes it, but if he evolves into a better human being over the summer, then lesson learned.

Don't get me wrong. I still love Superbad. There's just a lot more to think about now.