The Portrayl of Underage Drinking in "American Pie"

The following is the twentieth in a series of essays written in response to the media analysis assignment described in the January 28, 2000 article on this topic page. Colorado State University student Kim Kennedy examines "the casual presentation of drinking" in the movie American Pie.

The Portrayal of Underage Drinking in American Pie by Kim Kennedy

Because underage teenage drinking is looked at casually and gives a positive image, teenage alcohol abuse has spiraled out of control regardless of the consequences. A person does not have to search far before finding underage drinking occurring in any American city. Not only is drinking occurring, but it is occurring excessively. High school years are a likely time for teenagers to begin drinking. Out of the group of American students, 92% of the seniors in high school admitted to trying alcohol. These tendencies continue throughout college as binge drinking takes place within the dorms as well as at off-campus parties. Teen drinking in the dorms seems to have become a norm and is considered a popular activity to engage in. Unfortunately, drinking can be taken to an unhealthy extreme, as was the case for two girls living in Newsom Hall on the CSU campus. After consuming massive quantities of alcoholic beverages, the two were rushed to the hospital fighting for their lives because of alcohol poisoning. Last year alone, over 1000 kids under the age of 16 were treated for acute alcohol poisoning. Teens such as these make poor decisions that are likely influenced by outisde sources that present drinking as a positive experience.

One such source would be the movie American Pie as it reinforces underage drinking through presenting high school students repeatedly participating in drinking alcohol casually, leaving a variety of social messages for the viewers. The movie is based around the five best friends Jim, Kevin, Stifler, Ox, and Finch as their lives are traced throughout their last few months of high school. Engaging in binge drinking was one of the highlighted aspects. On the first occasion, a large party was the cool hangout of the night. The boys went to the party and immediately grabbed some beer which was presented as a positive stimulus that the kids would rely on to have a good time. Teenagers could suddenly do things that they could not or would not do before. For instance, Jim drank some beer and was then able to go up and talk to a beautiful girl. Even though he suffered a fierce rejection, he was portrayed as becoming more social in a good way due to alcohol, therefore reinforcing underage drinking. At the same party, Stifler was shown opening a door only the find the so-called band geeks. He rudely shuts the door in their faces leaving the flute player Michelle as well as the others dreaming of the day that they would become "cool" enough to join in on the oh-so-popular activity of drinking. Binge drinking became prevalent again later in the movie as the gang headed towards Stifler's after-prom party at his cabin. Beer was provided which led to a wild night of drinking, sex, and fun. Michelle, the band dork, even managed to earn a place at this party. After Finch had a few drinks in him, he stumbled into the room where Stifler's mom was hiding out. Not only had she supplied the alcohol for the party but personally offered Finch mixed drinks while he was alone in the room with her. This fostered the casual outlook on underage drinking seeing that alcohol abuse was not protested by adult figures. Along the same train of thought, the parties were not broken up by the police, implying to the viewer that drinking was accepted in society.