() () ()
Amy Heckerling
August 13, 1982
The teen comedy/romance film “Fast Times At Ridgemont High” is very character-driven. Younger audiences might find it funny because the humor is more honest, while older audiences cringe at the uncomfortable banter that high school students still have yet to master. But whichever category you fall into, let it be known that “Fast Times At Ridgemont High” may not be worth the movie ticket, but if you have the rental disk you have yourself an entertaining night. Just please don’t turn it into a family movie night.
The film follows the life of a group of high schoolers at Ridgemont High. Stacy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is having boy problems, her brother Brad (Judge Reinhold) is having work and girl problems, Mark (Brian Backer) is having girl problems and Jeff (Sean Penn) has stoning problems. Fortunately, none of the characters cross paths all at once preventing the film from becoming another Breakfast Club but they are able to work out their differences with the help of each other which is satisfying. Not Jeff though, in his mind school is the problem and all he needs is “some tasty waves and a cool buzz.”
Although the film might feel a bit far-fetched for high school, it’s actually pretty accurate as far as characters and personality go. Of course, teachers wouldn’t make an appearance at your house to give a history lesson, nor pull a heart out of a corpse. However, I could in fact identify one or two stoners at my own high school. Anyways, what makes the film so uncomfortable is exactly what makes it so real. Nobody wants to relive the sexual mishaps of their high school life, but the film swings that door wide open. Stacy plays the not-so-innocent girl that is looking for some sort of romance in her life, even if that means going to bed with every guy. It’s sad to see such a cheerful girl resort to a sex machine life but it’s what every other high school movie won’t show.
While kids these days may not know Pat Benatar or couldn’t give less of a shit about Blue Oyster tickets, there is still a huge crossover into today’s life of a teenager. “Fast Times At Ridgemont High” can address them quite spectacularly and realistically with such a young yet experienced cast. Most of the cast however is past the age of twenty and actors like Sean Penn are a tough sell, but then again, he plays a stoner that looks like he’s in his sixth year at high school.
BelowBlue Movie Reviews 