Guide Note

The New Guy is a comedy film about a teen that transfers to a new high school and is taught how to become popular.

Fast Facts

1. Director: Ed Decter
2. Producers: Greg Silverman and John J. Strauss
3. Starring: DJ Qualls, Eliza Dushku, Zooey Deschanel, Eddie Griffin
4. Release Date: May 10, 2002
5. Run Time: 89 Minutes
6. MPAA: PG-13

Plot

Dizzy Gillespie Harrison (DJ Qualls) is a high school senior who had been fun of growing up because he was considered a nerd. Pranks were all played on Dizzy by the jocks of the school. When Dizzy asks a popular cheerleader on a date, she turns him down because they are "from different cliques". The jocks begin to make fun of the fact that when she touched him, he got an erection. An elderly librarian believes his erection is a weapon and asks him to hand it to her. When he does not give the "weapon" to her, she grabs a hold of it, eventually hurting him and sending him to the nurses office. He is told by the nurse that he is suffering from Tourettes Syndrome and is given medicine, which he overdoses on. He is arrested after causing a scene at church. While in prison, Luther (Eddie Griffin) takes him under his wing, teaching him how to be "cool". Dizzy gets a full make-over and gains confidence when he transfers to a new school, where he begins dating the head cheerleader, Danielle (Eliza Dushku).

Taglines

• Popularity isn't a contest...It's a war.
• A zero will rise...