Sad Banana Goes to the Movies: Fast Times at Ridgemont High
So...I would like to start by saying that I did not exist in the 1980s. With that out of the way, this movie acts as a fascinating time capsule of teen life at the time. Cameron Crowe, former child prodigy and then twenty-something year old, debuts the writing chops which would later net him trips to the Oscars. Once again, Amy Heckerling's direction contributes to an overall fun viewing experience, but this is very much Crowe's film. Among the cast of future A-listers such as Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates, and Judge Reinhold, the one who steals the show is none other than Sean Penn playing a surfer dude. Easily my favorite parts of the movie are every time the character of Jeff Spicoli appears on screen. For better and for worse, however, this is definitely an eighties movie. There are certain plot points involving the teens' collective sexuality that definitely wouldn't be approved of today. Still, I give this one a hearty recommendation for lovers of sex comedies and eighties cheese alike. See you at the movies!