Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

     Ah, yes, the 1980s. The Golden Age of teen movies, thanks to this man.

Thank you John Hughes

     Trying to choose the most “classic” of teen movies in the 1980s is a struggle. There were other movies such as Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and more with a classic status that dominates every other movie on this blog, on par with Grease and Rebel Without a Cause. However, in order to retain order in this blog, I had to choose just one. When choosing from the John Hughes catalogue, you can’t go wrong. All of his teen films are considered classics. I decided to choose the one I enjoyed the most. While Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is the funniest of the bunch, I feel that it also conveys a poignant moment in the teenage experience.

     Now, I should introduce the premise of the movie for anyone who has yet to see it, if such a person exists. Ferris, a lovable troublemaker, decides to take the day off of school, and take his hometown of Chicago by storm, along with his girlfriend, Sloane Peterson (Mia Sara) and best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck). However, as Ferris’ ninth sick day this semester, his school’s Dean of Students, Mr. Rooney, sets out to stop him.  

     The film uses an interesting narrative technique. Throughout the movie, Ferris addresses the audience directly, offering tips, such as “how to fake out the parents”. The use of narrative aside, proven effective by the likes of Shakespeare, provides an extra opportunity for comedy in an already funny film.

     The film’s setting, downtown Chicago, functions as a large part of the film as the teen’s playground. The day’s antics include a dance sequence, which contributes to the exuberance of the film. Part of the reason why the movie is so enjoyable is because of how relatable the film is. Even the premise: “How could I be expected to handle school on a beautiful day like this?” is painfully familiar. We’ve all been there. An especially poignant moment in the film is when the characters discuss their uncertainty about the future, something I found especially relatable.

     Why has this film remained so popular? I would wager that the combination of expertly executed, laugh-out-loud humour, a very relatable premise and characters, and the poignant portrayal of the uncertainties felt by older teens have given the film its enormous staying power. The film is also extremely quotable, which is a testament to how well written it is. In addition to spoken humour, the film employs a great deal of visual humour. There are some great action shots and a memorable Rube Goldberg machine. The fashion is also quite memorable, especially since the film spans only the length of a day, with one memorable costume per character. Who could forget Ferris’ zany cardigan or Sloane’s white fringed jacket?

Rating:

5/5 1961 Ferarri GTs

The Verdict:  A classic of the highest order due to:

a)      extremely well executed humour

b)      being fun without occupying an alternate reality (portrays worries teens face)

c)      relatable, dynamic characters

Should You Watch it?

     This movie is fun, quirky, and undeniably a classic. If you have not seen it, I suggest you do so as soon as possible.

Bonus: As if my raving review was not enough to convince you to watch, if you keep an eye out you’ll catch Dirty Dancing’s Jennifer Grey as Ferris’ sister, and a Charlie Sheen cameo as a druggie (oh, the irony) in the police station.  

Director: John Hughes

Writer: John Hughes

Starring: Matthew Broderick

Alan Huck

Mia Sara