This film seems to continue to find its way through each generation, although it is most special to people in their 30s. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is essentially the ultimate ditch day from school. I think adults love this film
This film seems to continue to find its way through each generation, although it is most special to people in their 30s. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is essentially the ultimate ditch day from school. I think adults love this film too, because they’d love to skip work and have as much fun as Ferris (Matthew Broderick) does. The one unfortunate fact about “Ferris” is that the film has stuck to Broderick like glue. He’s a Tony-Award winning Broadway actor and to this day so many people think of him as “Ferris Bueller.” Duly noted, he’s hilarious and lovable as Ferris. The stigma it gave his career is not underserved (Broderick was 23 when he made this movie).
This movie is so fun that I really don’t want to give away too much plot. It was directed by John Hughes (“Sixteen Candles”) who invented the teen-genre movie. Sorry, it wasn’t Lindsey Lohan or any of the forgettable films Hollywood has made to try and re-capture the genre. It was the ‘80s, the time when teen films ruled, the way Film Noir ruled the ‘40s and Marlon Brando (“A Streetcar Named Desire”) ruled the ‘50s. John Hughes tapped into what teens were feeling and experiencing. “Ferris” was his third film, following his masterpiece “The Breakfast Club,” which I will recommend next week.
The “Ferris” shoot turned out so well because it was shot in Chicago, away from Los Angeles and the studio bosses. So the freedom of the movie-making process lends to the plot of the film, which is about freedom. On the surface the movie is just Ferris (Broderick), his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara), his friend Cameron (Alan Ruck of “Spin City”) cutting school. But the film has an overall moral about choices and the consequences (good or bad).
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is filled with classic scenes, more importantly stuff audiences had never seen. Broderick was pulled from doing Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues” on Broadway to play Ferris (Broderick would later star in the movie version of “Biloxi Blues” in 1988, directed by Mike Nichols). The Ferris shoot did have its problems between the star and director, but none of it affected the movie. Notably, this film also stars Jennifer Grey (“Dirty Dancing”), and has a cameo by Charlie Sheen in one of his first film roles. At the time, Grey was not a superstar. That came a year later with the ‘80s cheese-ball classic “Dirty Dancing.” We all enjoy “Dirty Dancing,” just some of us won’t admit it. That’s OK (smiles).
I want to close with, this movie is very inspiring, a symbol that we all need to find the “Ferris” in us, but kids stay in school and adults; well… (story for another time). I guarantee you will love this movie. Aloha!
Year: 1986
Studio: Paramount
Director: John Hughes
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jennifer Grey, Alan Ruck, MiaSara
1. “E.T.” (1982)
2. “Poltergeist” (1982)
3. “King of Comedy” (1983)
4. “The Untouchables” (1987)
5. “Dirty Dancing” (1987)
6. “Big” (1988)
7. “Biloxi Blues” (1988)
8. “Die Hard” (1988)
9. “When Harry Met Sally” (1989)
10. “Do the Right Thing” (1989)
