Senior Trip

I bought this film for my collection after discovering that Faye Grant, famous as the beautiful heroine on the Mini-Series' & TV Series V was a standout in this movie (also written and directed by Kenneth Johnson who created V). From watching this thoughtful and funny telefilm, its clear to see why Kenneth Johnson called on Faye Grant to take on the female lead in V. And of course, Scott Baio is at his dramatic best here. The film soundtrack is also scored by Joe Harnell who worked for Kenneth Johnson on the Incredible Hulk as well as V: The Original Miniseries.

while definitely not a "10," i was a tenaager in 1981 and found it mildly entertaining. I viewed it as a somewhat "coming of age" type of movie so took it at face value. I don' even remember Mickey Rooney even being in this movie nor his sigifcance to the plot at all. Just remember going through some coming of age issues myself and it rang true to me! :) As a bidding musician remember the coundrack more than anything and sometimes still hear it in my head when I am walking about town or in some other city! So that is my take on this pretty run of the mill TV movie. If I desired something more significant, I would not tune into a TV movie for it, for that I'd go to the movies which i do often.

This movie was a total bore, it was a strange mix of comedy drama musical and travelogue. I now feel I've been to New York City. It was a 75 minute TV movie dragged out to 96 minutes with drawn out shots of New York City, with no apparent reason other than to pad out the short story line. Not dramatic or funny enough to be interesting. Mickey Rooney as himself was pure Hollywood, I've met the man in person, and he's nothing like that. However if you were a teenager around 1981 you might find this mildly nostalgic, if you're a Scott Biao fan, he's got a total of probably less than 10 minutes in the movie. Watch it if you must, but you'll probably be bored to tears.

I expected the usual sub-adolescent hi-jinks....anybody would, I guess, with that title.... and discovered instead a thoughtful little made-for-TV minor classic. I can recommend this heartily for its characterizations of a likeable and naive group of high school seniors, all together for the last time before setting out separately in the world, visiting New York all wide-eyed, and gaining insight into their soon-to-end adolescence and soon-to-commence responsibilities. Among the vignettes you'll see people you knew, or thought you did. And you might see yourself at that vulnerable age. An excellent study of a generation, and I highly recommend this generally-forgotten film which I never forgot.

Senior Trip is definitely a candidate for "Bad Movie Night." When I am feeling extremely cruel and want to annoy my wife, I sing a line from the song "Going to the Big Apple", which was performed on the bus during the trip to NY. Woof.

There are many notable actors in this film, but not many notable performances. The best way to describe the screenplay, stale and bland. The only lasting impression from this film are from a few horrible scenes that haunt you years after you watch it.

Before you rent or (God forbid) buy Senior Trip, ask yourself, "Am I a glutton for punishment?"

The Review