Minor Characters From American Pie Week - Coach Marshall

It's the end of the week and we say goodbye to this celebration of minor characters from American Pie not with a whimper but with a loud bang. Following in the proud foot steps of Glee Club Teacher, Jim's Mom, Kevin's Brother and Blink-182 - it's the man, the myth, the Coach Marshall. 


Minor Character 5 - Coach Marshall (Lawrence Pressmann)


I've been looking forward to this one all week. All the characters I have selected have contributed to the franchise in their own way but in terms of my own personal enjoyment of the film no one quite matches up to the Coach. He is iconic without falling into cliche. He is quotable without stealing the scene. In one quote he summarizes everything these films are about,

'I don't want any of you boys thinking, that you're gonna score. You don't score, until you *score*!'

There is something profound in the truth of this statement. Some principle deep beneath the surface that mere mortals like us are unable to quite fathom and express but in our hearts know is in everything we do. Take the journey our central protagonists go on. They think that they're going to score with the literal act of sex but they only truly score when they realise that having sex isn't the important thing here, it's the growing up, the emotional and mental journey toward adulthood. 


Also, Lawrence Pressmann has a brilliant name and was in Shaft so I think maybe some kind of lifetime achievement award wouldn't be out of place. 


And so it ends - thanks for joining me on this spiritual journey into what I truly believe is a genre defining film. I'd like to thank all the characters mentioned and everyone who helped bring this film to life. So until Minor Character from American Pie Week 2 or Minor Character from American Pie 2 Week I guess all that's left to say is:


'To the next step!'


Peace,


Steve

Minor Characters From American Pie Week - Garage Band (Blink-182)

I've tried to mix it up a bit with these choices and today is no different. What the previous characters have in common is that they helped to ground the film's crazy antics in a more realistic context. Today is the complete opposite. Not really one character but three who give the film a weird meta-textual edge...

Minor Character(s) 4 - Garage Band (Blink-182)

This is a bit of a personal choice. I love Blink-182 and the fact that they appear in American Pie is kind of just delicious icing on the already iced cake (or pie). However, there is something quite bizarre about their appearance and not just the fact they have a pet monkey. For those not paying attention (or who were drunk at the time) they're included amongst the viewers of Jim's Nadia embarrassment on the video link-up. They don't do anything special it's just that whilst Jim is sprinting between his friends and his bedroom it's Blink's classic 'Mutt' playing over the top. This isn't a music video - why have the band on screen whilst the song plays? 'Random casting!' you shout. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe the self reference matched with the webcam sequence is the filmmakers suggesting that the internet is connecting people in such a way that we're now influencing each other subconsciously without even the need for communication. This has terrifying implications for you dear readers.

Fine, I could be stretching a bit here but you have to admit it's a little strange. I think it would have been cool if Blink had featured in the sequels. Their development as a band paralleling the boys development into adults. Oz does eventually become a bit of a dick kind of like Tom DeLonge circa Angels & Airwaves.

Peace,

Steve

Minor Characters From American Pie Week - Kevin's Brother

Here we are ladies and gentlemen. Three days in to this exciting journey into the recesses of my obsessive mind. So far we've reacquainted ourselves with The Glee Club Teacher and Jim's Mom. Today - a slightly more familiar face.

Minor Character 3 - Kevin's Brother (Casey Affleck)

That's right. Years before creating severe doubt in the public's mind about the mental stability of Joaquin Phoenix the man known worldwide as one of the top 2 Affleck Brothers was here in the background of American Pie uncredited as Kevin's brother. This was actually a tough one for me. With Casey's fame and the fairly serious role he plays in the film I wasn't sure whether he should be classified as an unsung hero. In the end I decided that because of the fact he plays such a large role but doesn't get much credit for it that he deserves to be here.

One of my major problems with American Pie: The Wedding is the fact that Kevin has such a tiny role (I have more but I won't go into them here). He is undoubtedly the leader of the group. It is his drive and determination that sparks their quest in the first place and ultimately results in Jim's marriage to Michelle. However, this motivation doesn't just form out the ether. It is Kevin's brother with his introduction of the fabled Sex Bible that gets things going for them. The presence of a mystical older generation gives American Pie a further edge over other teen movies (See also the Cops in Superbad). Some teen films seem to give the impression that this is the first time anyone has had sex ever. The concept is mystifying to the main characters, adult characters don't understand it. The presence Jim's Dad and Kevin's Brother underline that people have always had and struggled with sex and that what these characters go through is a universal experience. It's a nice message really.

Peace,

Steve  

Minor Characters From American Pie Week - Jim's Mom

Of all the characters featured this week I think this is possibly the one in which casting was most important. You all know Jim, you all know Jim's Dad but what about...

Minor Character 2 - Jim's Mom (Molly Cheek)

There are of course more famous Mom's in the series (Stifler's Mom) but people seem to forget that in the first film she really doesn't show until the last couple of minutes with an extended cameo that for many people defined the whole series. Far more integral to the plot of the first film is Jim's Mom. Her role is understated and her main function is to act embarrassed by her son's various antics but it is character's like her who keep these early films grounded and prevent them slipping away into the farce of the direct to DVD sequels. The reason we share in Jim's pain is that his Mom is capable of representing the 'every Mom'. His Dad might be the more memorable character but it's much easier to empathize with Jim in his relationship with his Mom. She also bakes the pie that gave us the most famous scene in all the American Pie films so you've got to give her major props for that.

Molly Cheek is also the Mum from Harry & The Hendersons so I think it's safe to say she is one of the greatest screen Mother's of all time.

NOTE: I've used the American spelling of Mom for the most part here as it's her official IMDB character name. Also please don't try and do a Freudian reading of this post. I think it could take you to scary places.

Peace,

Steve

Minor Characters From American Pie Week - Glee Club Teacher

On Friday night ITV took the brave decision to screen a generation defining film. A film that gave us great moments, great catchphrases and great characters like Stifler, Jim's Dad and The Sherminator. But what of those background characters who provide the framework for the whole masterpiece to flow together. The unsung heroes who shun the spotlight but still retain a special place in our hearts. Welcome to 'Minor Characters From American Pie' Week here at The Fortress of Steveitude.

Minor Character 1: Glee Club Teacher (Akuyoe Graham)
Glee clubs are everywhere thanks to the hit show Glee but I think we should look back and give some credit to the film that really came up with the whole concept - American Pie. It is the Glee club that allows Oz to ditch his whole jock self-image and become possibly the wettest character in the history of film. And who's there on the sidelines smiling and nodding and telling Oz it's OK to sing as long as you're doing it for the express purpose of banging Mena Suvari? It's the Glee club teacher of course. I'm not sure if she actually has any lines but that doesn't matter. These characters don't need words. It's a performance of subtlety and grace and I hope Akuyoe Graham you finally get the respect you deserve for it.

As an added bonus here's the famous Chris Klein leaked Mamma Mia audition tape. Maybe she actually isn't that great a teacher...

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Check back tomorrow to see if your favourite character gets featured on the list.

Peace,

Steve