I think the plot was beside the point. The whole "Valley Girl" phenomenon was driven by a recording by Moon Zappa that was meant to make fun of this social strata signifier of intentional vapidness--the valley girl accent--and it became a cultural moment in the late 70s/early 80s that Hollywood attempted to capitalize on. https://youtu.be/R5Q1yVLSR3I?si=GE2PPT_4uHE9hDO6. The movie "Clueless" which came later was a better film, with a similar intent.
Can't really argue with this review, though as a young teen when this came out, a lot of the holes you point out did resonate in a provocative way, and when I've revisited the film as an adult I've wondered if those were actually points of subversion peeking through the romcom industrial curtains (though it is really hard to swallow Cage's use of the F-word slur). In contrast, John Hughes foregrounds interesting character, then systematically undermines them by reimposing an oppressive, patriarchal social order. To me the hero of the era is Amy Heckerling for Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
"I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that."
This is one of my favorite movies of all time from my teenage years growing up in Southern California. The soundtrack was awesome. The actors were good looking and cool. The chemistry between Julie and Randy was real and electrifying. The lingo was satiric and stereotypical. I never met any girls like Julie during my formative years but I still identified with her to some extent. These are just a few of the million reasons I live this movie but I never demanded that they all be high brow classics. This movie has a place in my heart and your review will never tarnish it no matter how withering. You'll just never understand, lol.
Hi Angie, I loved this movie, too. I never thought it was meant to be anything "deeper than a teaspoon." I graduated from high school in 1977 and have watched this movie several times over the years. My daughter was born in 1993, and she likes it, too! It's entertaining! And you're right, there are several great tracks played in it. For some reason... I cannot bring myself to watch Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I really like Sean Penn but I just won't be watching it. My daughter and I had a good laugh over the "review." She wouldn't let me read the whole thing to her, said it was too long.
not sure why "review" is in quotes. it's definitely a review!
I don't think romcoms need to be deep...but it just really interferes with my enjoyment if the characters have no motivations or even personality traits?
Can you share any particular reason why you're averse to watching Fast Times? There's a trigger warning for female reproductive "issues" but otherwise it is a stellar film. I didn't watch it for years after it came out but it still resonated with me. I highly recommend it. Has your daughter seen it?
ALL RIGHT. I will probably watch it. From the short bits I would see of that movie when someone else was watching it, it seemed like Penn lacked so much motivation to the point of being irritating. I asked my daughter if she had seen it. She said, "You mean Spicoli?" Yes. LOL I will try to watch it this weekend.
In 1983, I was12 years old. I remember checking out the Valley Girl book- don’t remember the name but it was part dictionary, part how-to- from the library. I actually said “gag me with a spoon.” Out loud, not ironically. (Cringe, I know, but I was 12.)
I never even knew this movie existed until now. Thank you for watching it so I don’t feel compelled.
I think the plot was beside the point. The whole "Valley Girl" phenomenon was driven by a recording by Moon Zappa that was meant to make fun of this social strata signifier of intentional vapidness--the valley girl accent--and it became a cultural moment in the late 70s/early 80s that Hollywood attempted to capitalize on. https://youtu.be/R5Q1yVLSR3I?si=GE2PPT_4uHE9hDO6. The movie "Clueless" which came later was a better film, with a similar intent.
Can't really argue with this review, though as a young teen when this came out, a lot of the holes you point out did resonate in a provocative way, and when I've revisited the film as an adult I've wondered if those were actually points of subversion peeking through the romcom industrial curtains (though it is really hard to swallow Cage's use of the F-word slur). In contrast, John Hughes foregrounds interesting character, then systematically undermines them by reimposing an oppressive, patriarchal social order. To me the hero of the era is Amy Heckerling for Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Fast Times is great. As I said, I love Clueless and But I'm a Cheerleader. Say Anything has a lot going for it as well...
"I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that."
This is one of my favorite movies of all time from my teenage years growing up in Southern California. The soundtrack was awesome. The actors were good looking and cool. The chemistry between Julie and Randy was real and electrifying. The lingo was satiric and stereotypical. I never met any girls like Julie during my formative years but I still identified with her to some extent. These are just a few of the million reasons I live this movie but I never demanded that they all be high brow classics. This movie has a place in my heart and your review will never tarnish it no matter how withering. You'll just never understand, lol.
And his name is Randy, not Ryan.
oh right! sorry. names are always tough for me.
No tarnishing intended! I'm glad it gives you joy!
Hi Angie, I loved this movie, too. I never thought it was meant to be anything "deeper than a teaspoon." I graduated from high school in 1977 and have watched this movie several times over the years. My daughter was born in 1993, and she likes it, too! It's entertaining! And you're right, there are several great tracks played in it. For some reason... I cannot bring myself to watch Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I really like Sean Penn but I just won't be watching it. My daughter and I had a good laugh over the "review." She wouldn't let me read the whole thing to her, said it was too long.
not sure why "review" is in quotes. it's definitely a review!
I don't think romcoms need to be deep...but it just really interferes with my enjoyment if the characters have no motivations or even personality traits?
Can you share any particular reason why you're averse to watching Fast Times? There's a trigger warning for female reproductive "issues" but otherwise it is a stellar film. I didn't watch it for years after it came out but it still resonated with me. I highly recommend it. Has your daughter seen it?
ALL RIGHT. I will probably watch it. From the short bits I would see of that movie when someone else was watching it, it seemed like Penn lacked so much motivation to the point of being irritating. I asked my daughter if she had seen it. She said, "You mean Spicoli?" Yes. LOL I will try to watch it this weekend.
it's an ensemble effort, so you can definitely enjoy it even if you are not a fan of sean penn.
😆👍🏼
In 1983, I was12 years old. I remember checking out the Valley Girl book- don’t remember the name but it was part dictionary, part how-to- from the library. I actually said “gag me with a spoon.” Out loud, not ironically. (Cringe, I know, but I was 12.)
I never even knew this movie existed until now. Thank you for watching it so I don’t feel compelled.