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Review

Kasdan's (son of Lawrence) follow-up to his impressive Zero Effect is a real mixed-bag of familial blessings. Based on a screenplay by Mike White (who wrote the highly original Chuck and Buck), Orange County is equal parts annoying teen yukfest, half-baked satire and showcase for its high-profile cast. A very thin plot -- Hanks (son of Tom) really, really wants to go to Stanford to study under his idol (a brilliant writer) and become a novelist himself -- can't even sustain the brief running time. But direction that occasionally borders on the stylish and that cast keep things afloat, and there are more laughs than there should be. An appealing Fisk (daughter of Sissy Spacek) and a nice last-minute cameo by a Kasdan, Sr. regular also help. Black is his usual love-him-or-hate-him self.