From director/screenwriter Amy Heckerling (Clueless, Fast Times at Ridgemont High) comes LOSER, a college comedy about trusting yourself, taking a chance and turning your back on the people who take advantage of you. Nerdy, good-natured Paul Tannek ( Jason Biggs ) is a square peg in the round hole that is New York University-his pot-smoking, girl-chasing roommates hate him, and everyone else on campus ignores him. But when he meets fellow student Dora Diamond (Mena Suvari),he discovers a kindred spirit. Dora is practically broke, has nowhere to live, and her boyfriend, Professor Edward Alcott (Oscar® nominee Greg Kinnear), is more interested in manipulating her than loving her. The more people push them around, the closer Paul and Dora get-she helps him dress better and appreciate New York, he lets her stay with him while she finds a job. In the end, Paul and Dora not only fall for each other, they find the courage to walk away from the people who walk all over them-proof that even losers get lucky sometimes. RELEASE DATE JULY.21ST/2000
The search for the actress to play the role of Dora Diamond ended the minute Heckerling met Mena Suvari, whose performances as an prim-looking choir girl in American Pie and Kevin Spacey’s rose-petal-covered teen temptress in American Beauty have established her as an acting force to be reckoned with. “The role of Dora was very different from the character Mena played in American Pie,” says Heckerling. “This character is more downtrodden, street-worn, more sexual. So I was just amazed at how wonderful she read when she came in. I remember thinking, ‘this girl is a really terrific actress.’ So we cast her.And then, of course, American Beauty came out and she just blew everyone away.”
For Suvari, the opportunity to graduate from high school to college was a big bonus. “I think I’ve been in high school long enough,” laughs Suvari, “So I was really excited to play a college student. And Dora is a great character. She’s smart. I also think she’s sweet to the core; it’s just that she’s so focused on trying to get through school that she comes across as tough and assertive. But she’s a totally good person at heart.”
Suvari also looked forward to the opportunity to act opposite Jason Biggs. “Jason and I worked together in American Pie, but we didn’t really have any scenes together. So it’s cool that we’re getting to work together now.”
In addition to reuniting Suvari with her American Pie alumnus, Loser afforded Suvari the chance to work with the director of two of her favorite films, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Clueless. “Amy is so cool,” gushes Suvari.“You know how some people have that kind of energy about them and you can’t help but be drawn to them? Well, Amy is that kind of person. She’s very down-to-earth and easy to relate to. She has such a good grasp of life and I feel like I’m learning so much from her.”
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