Drive Me Crazy

Two teenage neighbors come from opposite worlds yet share a mischievous impulse. Nicole, a stylish planner, and Chase, a casual type with a quick smile, devise a scheme to date each other pretending to be a couple so their real crushes will pay them attention. They juggle school events and the stalled romance of a town centennial gala, all while keeping their ruse from friends and families. The plan sparks witty banter and awkward double dates as the two navigate teachers, classmates and a strict social code. As the gala nears, the pretend romance deepens and what started as a trick blurs into something real. The film leans on snappy dialogue, sunny visuals and a soundtrack of late 90s pop. Its pacing keeps things light even as the stakes quietly build.

Directed by John Schultz and released in 1999, Drive Me Crazy adapts a story by Todd Strasser and Rob Thomas. It pairs Melissa Joan Hart as Nicole and Adrian Grenier as Chase, with supporting turns by Susan Pratt and Ali Larter.

The film grossed $22,593,409 worldwide against an $8,000,000 budget, marking a modest but solid return for a teen romance. It helped sustain the careers of its young leads and offered an easy watch for fans.

Drive Me Crazy didn't ignite a lasting cultural phenomenon, but it slots into the late 90s teen rom com milieu that celebrated lighthearted schemes and first loves. It also helped showcase Melissa Joan Hart transitioning from TV to film and added to Adrian Grenier's early career trajectory, too.

Reception and themes: Critics treated it as a breezy, low stakes romance with humor and charm in the leads. The film centers on honesty, friendship and the idea that real love can grow from a playful experiment when two people finally recognize each other, something many viewers recognize.