Teenage friends go all out to help their smitten pal in Casi Casi, an appealing high school comedy from Puerto Rico. This delightful and surprisingly action-packed movie features a group of youngsters trying to outwit a watchful, hard-nosed principal with their daring plans to change the voting results for Student Council President. If that plot description makes you think of Election, you’re on the wrong track. These heroes act out of unselfish motivation. But they’re almost as much fun to watch as Reese Witherspoon in her breakthrough performance opposite Matthew Broderick back in 1999 -- and there’s a nerdy Napoleon Dynamite feel to this offering, which adds to its charm.

When shy Emilio (Mario Pabon) falls for Jacklynne (Maite Canto), the most popular -- and perhaps the snootiest -- girl in school, he’s puzzled about how to get her attention. After discussing the situation with his five best friends, he decides to run for President of the Student Council. Imagine Emilio’s dismay when he discovers the girl of his dreams will be the opposing candidate. He thinks about withdrawing from the race, then realizes that would be a sign of weakness, and he would never have a chance with Jacklynne if she thinks he’s weak, so he continues to run while hoping to lose. Unfortunately, Emilio’s campaign speech (written by one of his friends) wows the school assembly audience. Yikes!  If he wins, the Jacklynne will never forgive him.

What’s a lovesick guy to do? Emilio must lose the election, of course. To carry out his important mission, he calls on each of his friends for assistance. But it won’t be easy, for Emilio and his group are already targets of suspicion by Raquel Richardson. Played hilariously by Marian Pabon, Raquel is the principal from hell no students should be forced to endure.

As Emilio and his cohorts put their strategy in operation under Raquel’s sharp eyes and even sharper temper, we can’t help cheering them on. They represent a motley crew indeed. Angel (Fernando Castro- Alvarez) just wants to have fun; Alfredo (Ricardo Arias) loves computers; Natalie (Maria Gomez) spends most of her time avoiding the head hall monitor; Maria Eugenia (Irene Lucio) has a crush on Emilio; and Monica (Alexis Arce) is the most studious member of the group. Projecting a great sense of friendship with each other, these likeable young actors get the most out of their roles.

Written and directed with a wonderful lighthearted touch by brothers Jaime and Tony Valles, Casi Casi won the Audience Award at the 2006 San Diego Latino Film Festival. Yes, indeed -- this one is a real crowd pleaser. 

(Scheduled for DVD release by HBO Video on May 15, 2007. Rated “PG” for language and some crude humor. DVD bonus items include audio commentary with Jaime and Tony Valles and Unschooled: The Making of Casi Casi, featuring  behind-the-scenes footage of cast and crew.)