A group of SoCal high school students would rather ignore their studies and instead indulge in their teenage distractions.A group of SoCal high school students would rather ignore their studies and instead indulge in their teenage distractions.A group of SoCal high school students would rather ignore their studies and instead indulge in their teenage distractions.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
Blair Tefkin
- Pat Bernardo
- (as Blair Ashleigh)
Featured reviews
All throughout the decade of pencil-thin neckties and Pat Benatar look-alikes, various films came along that served to embody the times. "Valley Girl" (which introduced us to Nicholas Cage) and "Secret Admirer" were just a drop in the proverbial bucket. Amy Heckerling's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" was the textbook definition of life as a teenager in the eighties and remains so to this day. The story was brought to life in a very unique way that hasn't been duplicated since:
There was no actual plot to speak of. This was just...High School.
It's a film about a group of kids looking for love, status, or a good buzz. The film was nothing more than that, and it didn't pretend to be more. In addition, Cameron Crowe's script made you *care* about what these kids went through as if their individual situations were happening to us (as they may very well have). It's almost a crime that a sequel was never made, although a mediocre TV series was spawned. Armed with a cast of characters that struck a chord with all of us (primarily because we knew someone in High School who acted just like them), and a soundtrack that reeked of the Mark Goodman-J.J. Jackson era of MTV, this film stands as a perfect portrait of a decade a lot of us say we'd like to forget....shortly before brushing the dust off an old Night Ranger cassette and indulging in a guilty pleasure.
There was no actual plot to speak of. This was just...High School.
It's a film about a group of kids looking for love, status, or a good buzz. The film was nothing more than that, and it didn't pretend to be more. In addition, Cameron Crowe's script made you *care* about what these kids went through as if their individual situations were happening to us (as they may very well have). It's almost a crime that a sequel was never made, although a mediocre TV series was spawned. Armed with a cast of characters that struck a chord with all of us (primarily because we knew someone in High School who acted just like them), and a soundtrack that reeked of the Mark Goodman-J.J. Jackson era of MTV, this film stands as a perfect portrait of a decade a lot of us say we'd like to forget....shortly before brushing the dust off an old Night Ranger cassette and indulging in a guilty pleasure.
A fast-paced film with its share of laughs, Fast Times also takes time to sensitively handle many of the tough issues teens face. Abortion, trust, abandonment and sexual fears are all dealt with fairly and believably. An interesting snapshot into the world of teenagers--the great thing about this film is that it's not too stereotypically Californian. It could have been set anywhere in Canada or USA and still have been just as accurate. In addition, there are many scenes that will just have you doubled over with laughter--the carrot scene, as well as the interaction between rebel Sean Penn and angry Mr.Hand are just fantastic.
Just like "American Graffiti", you not only will see a timeless classic, but you will also see the breeding ground for many of today's greatest actors. Sean Penn, Anthony Edwards, Eric Stoltz, Phoebe Cates, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Forrest Whitaker all appeared in this film in the early stages of their careers. Even Oscar winner Nicolas Cage (appearing under his real surname of Copolla) was in this film, though in a very small role. This film was a glimpse into the future at some of the actors who would become major stars in film and television.
As for the film itself, it pretty much was a look at how high school really was in the eighties with all the pressures from sex, the cliques and, of course, drugs. In fact, the Catholic high school I went to was pretty much a carbon copy of Ridgemont. The film also manages to blend comedy with drama as it shows how high school was and still pretty much is. This film is definitely a classic.
As for the film itself, it pretty much was a look at how high school really was in the eighties with all the pressures from sex, the cliques and, of course, drugs. In fact, the Catholic high school I went to was pretty much a carbon copy of Ridgemont. The film also manages to blend comedy with drama as it shows how high school was and still pretty much is. This film is definitely a classic.
FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982) **** Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Ray Walston, Robert Rowanus, Brian Becker, Eric Stoltz, Anthony Edwards, Forest Whitaker, Vincent Schiavelli, Nicolas Cage. Hilarious and accurate depiction of life in 1980s high school that ranks among the best comedies of angst, anomie and above all - uncertainty - including "American Graffiti" and "Dazed and Confused". Vignettes with a fine ensemble of up and coming stars particularly Leigh (who's never been so innocent) and Penn as stoned surfer Jeff Spicoli ("People on ludes should not drive!" "Hey, Bud, huh, let's party!") is a comic gem of a performance. Great soundtrack and stable direction by Amy Heckerling and all too-knowing screenplay by future filmmaker Cameron Crowe ("Say Anything..."). Best bit: Mr. Hand convinced all are on drugs. Look sharp for Crowe's wife, rock singer Nancy Wilson, as the hot babe Reinhold tries to impress in traffic wearing his fast food pirate outfit.
I was a few years out of high school when this came out, and really hit close to home for me. After I saw it, I looked up some of my old friends, most of them also saw it too, and we said to each other, "that's us!"
Many of the characters were a lot like the people I went to school with. I knew my share of stoners, studs, and girls who getting guys wasn't the biggest hang up in their life. Even today, I can sit, and watch this and I get fond memories of my old friends, and the fun we used to have.
This was made during the post-disco, pre-greed era of the 80s that was far too short. I'm surprised to find out this movie is still popular considering it is far from being politically correct. I'll admit, I wouldn't want my kids to some of the things these high school kids did, but it is a reminder how much fun the era was.
Many of the characters were a lot like the people I went to school with. I knew my share of stoners, studs, and girls who getting guys wasn't the biggest hang up in their life. Even today, I can sit, and watch this and I get fond memories of my old friends, and the fun we used to have.
This was made during the post-disco, pre-greed era of the 80s that was far too short. I'm surprised to find out this movie is still popular considering it is far from being politically correct. I'll admit, I wouldn't want my kids to some of the things these high school kids did, but it is a reminder how much fun the era was.
Did you know
- TriviaFirst-time director Amy Heckerling said she was seeking to make a comedy that was less structured than conventional ones, and more like American Graffiti (1973) so that "if you woke up and found yourself living in the movie, you'd be happy. I wanted that kind of feel."
- GoofsMr. Hand tells the students that the Platt Amendment is an Amendment to the US Constitution and is vital in their daily lives. The Platt Amendment is neither a Constitutional Amendment nor is it important in Americans' daily lives. The Platt Amendment established Cuba as a US protectorate after the USA helped free Cuba from Spanish rule during the 1898 Spanish-American War. Furthermore, it was passed in 1901, not 1906 as he claims.
- Quotes
Businessman: [wants refund on unsatisfactory breakfast] It says one hundred percent guaranteed, you moron!
Brad Hamilton: Mister, if you don't shut up I'm gonna kick one hundred percent of your ass!
- Crazy creditsBefore the credits roll, brief scenes of the characters are shown listing what happened to them following the events of the movie:
- Brad Hamilton - Made manager of MI-T-MART June 12.
- Mike Damone - Busted for scalping Ozzy Osbourne tickets. Now works at 7-11.
- Mr. Vargas - Switched back to coffee.
- Linda Barrett - Attending college at Riverside. Now living with her Abnormal Psych Professor.
- Rat and Stacy - Having a passionate love affair. But they still haven't gone all the way.
- Mr. Hand - Convinced everyone is on dope.
- Jeff Spicoli - Saved Brooke Shields from drowning. Blows reward money hiring Van Halen to play his Birthday Party.
- Alternate versionsEarly VHS releases had the majority of the original music replaced with generic sound-alikes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Square Pegs: Merry Pranksters (1983)
- SoundtracksRaised on the Radio
Performed by Ravyns
Written by Rob Fahey
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Picardías estudiantiles
- Filming locations
- 24124 Welby Way, Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California, USA(Brad and Stacy's house)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $4,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $27,092,880
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,545,674
- Aug 15, 1982
- Gross worldwide
- $27,093,151
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