Making its world premiere at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, indie coming-of-age comedy Bart Got a Room was one of a handful of films generating considerable buzz among acquisitions execs prior to the festival.

Frankly, I couldn’t see why.

Set in the un-hip retirement community of Hollywood, Fl., Bart Got a Room is a semi-autobiographical flick from AFI-nurtured first time writer/director Brian Hecker about nebbish, overachieving high-schooler Danny Stein’s (Steven J. Kaplan) attempt at securing a date for the prom. To make matters worse, he has to deal with his parents’ divorce. His mom Beth (Cheryl Hines of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” unrecognizable in a brown wig) and dad Ernie (William H. Macy, sporting a silly Jew fro) are both dating other people, with hapless results.

“What other evening in your whole life is as big? Maybe your wedding. But odds are that will end in divorce anyway,” says Danny’s smart-alecky buddy Craig (Brandon Hardesty) as the two lounge poolside. Caving in to the pre-prom pressure, Danny rethinks his initial plan of escorting his longtime best friend and fellow nerd Camille (“Arrested Development’s” Alia Shawkat), instead hoping to score some hanky-panky with a pretty young thing. After all, BART got a room – a running gag throughout the film ratcheting up Danny’s neuroses.

Danny first sets his sights on his carpooling acquaintance Alice (Ashley Benson) – a blonde, sophomore cheerleader who flirtatiously fellates ice cream cones. As is typical of the genre, young Danny’s desires of the flesh are emphasized through a series of stylized daydream fantasies.

Unfortunately, the gorgeous cheerleader only sees Danny as “a reliable old Buick” and, in a far-too-brutal rebuff, calls him “deranged.” With that idea thrown out the window, and the hotel, limo, and tux already paid for, Danny goes on a frantic search for a prom date, first courting a shy Asian girl who digs his poem and then, at the 11th hour, enlisting the services of his woefully inept father.

Brian Hecker, making his filmmaking debut, relishes in the nostalgic setting - transporting us to this idyllic, quirky world of geriatrics, golf carts, and pink flamingos, all set to the booming horns of Benny Goodman’s band. Rich pastels emphasize the gaudiness of south Florida, with the setting reminiscent of Boynton Beach Club.

The Steins’ Jewishness probably isn’t emphasized enough, considering the film’s familial themes, and the entire film feels like a family friendly version of American Pie. However, William H. Macy’s awkward sexual advice to his son in “Bart” pales in comparison to the hilarious counsel provided by Eugene Levy in Pie. It’s sort of ironic that the only demographic that’ll appreciate this lame, watered-down brand of humor mirrors the community portrayed in the film: the elderly and infirm.

Bart Got a Room’s one saving grace, besides its setting, is newcomer Steven J. Kaplan. Looking like a young Patrick Dempsey, Kaplan does a fine job of capturing his character’s anxiety, and exhibits a good-guy quality reminiscent of the almighty Michael Cera. Too bad the film feels like one of Mr. Dempsey’s crappy ‘80s comedies.

BART GOT A ROOM opens on April 3rd in limited release.