Rising head and shoulders above the usual "teen comedy" pack thanks to its offbeat observations, quirky sensibilities and marvellous performances, this is also noteworthy for agreeably showcasing the second-generation Hollywood talents of Colin Hanks (Tom's son), Schuyler Fisk (Sissy Spacek's daughter) and Jake Kasdan (director Lawrence's son). It feels so amusingly fresh because Kasdan focuses on extracting wry humour from a colourful ensemble of flawed eccentrics rather than gross-out actions. Set in the "perfect" Californian region of the title, aimless surfer dude Hanks finds his life changed when he discovers a novel buried in the sand and is so struck by its passionate content he decides to become a writer. But, a clerical mistake means his now brilliant grades are attributed to another student and he has 24 hours to fix the error before Stanford University closes its application ranks. Plenty of hearty chuckles and knowing giggles arise from the screwball complications, which are further energised by the brilliant John Lithgow and Catherine O'Hara as Hanks's divorced off-the-wall parents and a host of on-target cameos by Lily Tomlin, Ben Stiller, Harold Ramis, Chevy Chase and Kevin Kline.

Shaun Brumder is a local surfer kid from Orange County who dreams of going to Stanford to become a writer and to get away from his dysfunctional family household. Except Shaun runs into one complication after another, starting when his application is rejected after his dim-witted guidance counselor sends in the wrong form.