Schooldays are the happiest days of our lives

Schooldays are the happiest days of our lives - especially if we can extend them to well into adulthood.

Van Wilder: Party Liaison, from director Walt Becker and with a cast that includes Ryan Reynolds, Tara Reid, Tim Matheson, Teck Holmes and Kal Penn, is the story of a lucky dude who did just that...Van Wilder (Reynolds) has spent seven fun-filled years at Coolidge College and his aim is to avoid ever graduating.

The idea of this off-beat comedy came to producer Andrew Panay: "I wanted to do a story about a guy who has been in college for years. I loved the idea of making a comedy that captured the essence of college life, and the harsh reality of having to leave it.

"I believe that there is a little bit of Van Wilder in all of us; he's the guy that wants to have fun for as long as possible. We wrote what we know, and the story of Van Wilder is one that we can all relate to ... college is safe, it's fun, and if you're like Van, you are the most popular guy on campus."

Everyone involved in the project agreed from the outset that Reynolds would be perfect for the central role. He's best known for his appearances on several Stateside TV sitcoms and in a string of regarded independent movies.

"He and Tara complement each other well, and despite their character's differences - he's a party animal and she's a serious journalist sent to write an expose on the King of Coolidge - they have a similar energy," explains Panay.

"Fortunately for me, working with Tara was amazing because we could improvise and adapt to the other person's character," says Reynolds, to which Reid, one of Hollywood's busiest actresses with appearances in The Big Lebowski, American Pie and Dr T and the Women, adds: "When you're working without chemistry, it becomes apparent to everyone involved right away, and that wasn't the case with this cast."

Reynolds, quickly taking to the role of Van, says: "I immediately liked this character because there is so much heart to him. You initially only think of the comedy aspect, and there is no doubt that this role offers me the chance to really go over the top, but at the end of the day, what you come away with is the overall goodness of the character. Van has an 'everyman' quality about him, and when he comes up against anyone who seems to resist his charm, he finds a way around it."

Reid reckons her character seems uptight for a reason: "Gwen Pearson, the star student journalist who seems to have nothing in common with Van, is a very good girl, who is a serious student.

"I think a lot of people are like her when it comes to being career oriented early on, and she looks at college as the last hurdle before getting out there in the real world as fast as possible.

"Gwen starts out the movie with a very different attitude, and through her time spent investigating Van, she discovers she has more of a fun-loving side than she's ever experienced before."

Van Wilder: Party Liaison, says director Becker, is a comedy with more than just a little heart and soul: "As much of a party animal and fun loving guy that Van is, all of his deeds have a purpose that helps everyone around him. He's a philanthropist to his core."

Reynolds says he wouldn't have found the character half as challenging to play if it weren't for the fact that he wants to do so much for others: "He's like the internal optimist that we all wish we could be, and I think people watching the film will want to root for Van."

Says Becker: "I think that what people will enjoy the most about the movie is that unlike many movies in this genre, the film is not afraid to get serious at times. At its core it is a comedy with heart, and our cast and crew accomplished what we set out to do ... it will be a lot of fun to watch it play out on the big screen."