The To Do List

Set in 1993, The To Do List is a delightfully tangy slice of nostalgia—candy colored and amped up with a spirited rhythm that evokes the pep of teen comedies past. The film was directed and written by Maggie Carey and stars an ensemble cast led by Aubrey Plaza, Johnny Simmons, and Bill Hader. They are backed by a British Wit-style cast of seasoned comedians and emerging talents, from the always reliable Rachel Bilson to Connie Britton known for her roles in Hitsville dramas.

The To Do List centers on the life of Brandy Klark, played by Aubrey Plaza. Brandy is the valedictorian of her Idaho high school with a quick wit and an even quicker ability to deliver a sarcastic retort. She is a rule-obsessed, overachieving girl who always has lived her life by the book to ensure guaranteed success. This is until she gets a rude awakening about her lack of sexual knowledge after a chance interaction with Rusty Waters, the local heartthrob played by Scott Porter.

The comedy takes flight when Plaza's character decides to become more sexually experienced before heading off to college. In an act far from her tightly wound nature, she makes a list—a 'To Do' list—of all the intimate activities she's missed out on in her high school years. Her goal is to complete all items on this list by the end of the summer.

Plaza showcases her considerable comic chops, as her character steps into a world that's entirely new to her, while maintaining a deadpan wit that's a stark contrast to the new experiences she embarks upon. Her performance is both engaging and empathetically funny, allowing us to laugh and feel for her as she stumbles and learns.

Johnny Simmons plays Cameron, Brandy's co-worker at the local pool and a love interest who is simultaneously sweet and awkward. In a charming turn, Simmons offers a sensitive portrayal of the teenage boy in love, a foil to the more overtly masculine Rusty Waters. His innocent charm serves as a wonderful offset to Plaza’s driven pursuit.

Bill Hader, who is also the director's husband, plays the role of Willy, the eccentric and underachieving manager of Brandy's workplace, the public pool. Hader brings a unique brand of humor that elevates every scenario he's a part of, delivering some of the funniest lines in the film while maintaining a strangely endearing quality to his character.

As Plaza's character navigates this new sphere of teenage life, the movie doesn't shy away from the awkwardness and painful realities. In fact, it often mines them for comedy. It's refreshing to see a female protagonist doggedly pursue her sexual needs in such a straightforward and unashamed manner. The script is eager to de-mystify the misconceptions surrounding female sexuality and places emphasis on exploration and self-discovery.

At its core, The To Do List is not just about sexual exploration. It’s an evocative film about that awkward transition from adolescence to adulthood. Behind the ribald humor, there is a touching exploration of friendship, first love, and family. The film does a good job of underlining the understanding that life cannot be lived by the book, and success isn't designed out of meeting all the tasks in a checklist, but rather, it comes from accepting the experiences life throws at you.

The director Maggie Carey is adept at squeezing the right emotion and hilarity out of an eccentric scenario. She uses the 1990s setting to deliver a fresh take on familiar plotlines. She complements the story with a strong playlist igniting mid-90s nostalgia with songs from Salt-N-Pepa, Gin Blossoms, and The Cranberries, among others.

The To-Do List offers a funny, warm-hearted, and relatable coming-of-age tale with a fresh feminist twist. Watching Aubrey Plaza's character survive her journey is hilariously horrifying and endearing at the same time—and that’s exactly why it's worth a watch.

Perfect for a movie night, The To Do List serves laughs, surprises, and a fresh perspective on the typical teenage comedy flick. And that’s what makes it a film to remember.