It’s surprising that this film is so defined as a comedy, because it’s the dramatic moments that work best. Cameron Crowe, director of ALMOST FAMOUS and SAY ANYTHING…, started his career in film as the screenwriter of this film, which was based on his book.
Directed by Amy Heckerling (CLUELESS), the film follows several groups of characters. The main character would be Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh, HUDSUCKER PROXY), a 15-year-old girl who is desperate to have sex and have a boyfriend… specifically in that order. Encouraging Stacy’s plans is her beautiful best friend Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates, GREMLINS), who constantly talks about her older boyfriend who lives in Chicago.
Stacy’s brother Brad (Judge Reinhold, RUTHLESS PEOPLE) is a senior and struggles with the typical issues of teens working in demeaning fast food jobs. Then there is Mark Ratner (Brian Backer, POLICE ACADEMY 4), a shy, smart kid, who develops a crush on Stacy. He receives advice from his best friend Mike Damone (Robert Romanus, TV’s FAME), a scalper who views himself as a lady’s man. Finally, the character that most people think of when they think of this film – stoned surfer Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn, MYSTIC RIVER) and his constant battle of wills with American History teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston, TV’s MY FAVORITE MARTIAN).
What the film gets dead right is the observations it makes about its characters. The performances are natural and convincing. The film is funniest when the jokes come naturally from the character’s personalities or the situations. I liked the moment when Stacy is on a date and her date takes off his jacket and says, “it’s been hot lately” and she agrees as she sits there shivering and wearing a sweater. However, the film is unfunny when it tries too hard for a joke or goes for the easy gag.
Penn and Walston are the best, because their characters are the most defined and the performances are dead on. Long before there was Bill and Ted there was Jeff Spicoli. The film reminds you of how awkward it felt to be in high school. Note: Future stars like Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz and Nicolas Cage (credited as Nicolas Coppola) all have small roles in the film.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
