Film Ideology - Elyse Stefanowicz

American Pie (1999)
Director - Paul Weitz
Starring - Jason Biggs
Chris Klein
Alyson Hannigan
Shannon Elizabeth


Film Ideology can touch on a number of subjects, but when talking about the subject of sexuality and the ideology it shows in films, American Pie is a modern film that explores everything the ideology covers. The book classifies sexual ideology as an "attempt to make sense of, and implicitly to regulate sexual choices and practices". This film is a perfect example of that statement.

The film follows four boys who are in their senior year of high school and make a pact to all lose their virginity by the end of the year so they don't have to go to college as virgins. All the boys want to do is to gain experience in sexual activity so they don't have to go through embarrassment when they go off to college--because at college supposedly everyone isn't a virgin. The film follows these boys as they prepare and figure out their own ways to get laid. One boy goes soft and joins a choir, another tries to get his steady girlfriend to finally have sex with him, and yet another tries to pursue a foreign exchange student while getting tips from a band geek.

This film doesn't only portray fictional characters and their journey to "adulthood" but it also explores sexuality and the awkwardness that can come from it when you are that age. There is such pressure on teenagers to have sex during and before college and this film shows how far kids will go to get it. It not only shows the possibility of embarrassment in these situations, but helps release some of the stress kids are feeling because it shows them they are not alone. Some of the situations in the film not only are hilarious but quite elaborate... which could help kids feel that their situation wasn't that bad.