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Fast Times At Ridgemont High Movie Review
Actors
Judge Reinhold, Sean Penn, Phoebe Cates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Eric Stolz, Forrest Whitaker, Ray Walston
Movie Review
Could this be the ultimate teen movie? My friends don't think so and they can't understand what I like about it so much. Based on a book by Cameron Crowe who went undercover at a LA high school to see what life was like. Crowe was the youngest person to write an article for Rolling Stone magazine and he went on to document this in the film Almost Famous. First time director, Amy Heckering, did a stellar job.
Not growing up in the U.S. I have always wondered whether high school life in the 80s really was like it is portrayed in the movies. Somehow I don't think so. Actually I hope not because I know mine was never like it, even though I wish it was.
At the time most of the cast weren't that well known but looking back now, a few have gone on to much more. Some of them are Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold, Eric Stolz, Phoebe Cates and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Penn's character, Spicoli, was actually increased and he was given more screen time after the dailiesstarted rolling in. He was that good. Actually he was, "Awesome, totally awesome."
Who can forget the pool scene with Phoebe Cates. I remember having a crush on her, like every other teenage boy I'm sure. She as also in the Blue Lagoon knock off, Paradise, with Willie Aames. This scene has been copied in the song Stacy's Mom by the group Fountains of Wayne and starred Rachel Hunter. And speaking of Rachel Hunter, she is one of the few stars I have seen while we we touring around the U.S. as she was filming down on Santa Monica Beach a fe years back.
Cameron Crowe does very good commentaries on the DVD editions and this one with Amy Heckerling is no exception. It is always good to hear the film maker's perspectives so many years down the track.
Things to look for include a small part by Bruce Springsteen's suster Pamela, Spcioli's Vans shoes that have made a comeback in recent years and people are going old school, and did I mention it before, the scene with Phoebe Cates getting out of the pool and the next scene with Judge Reinhold in the bathroom.
Quotes
Awesome, totally awesome.
I think I just came... didn't you feel it?
I woke up in a great mood; I don't know what the hell happened.
Look at you, member of the honor roll, assistant to the assistant manager of the movie theater. I'm tellin' ya, Rat, if this girl can't smell your qualifications, then who needs her, right?
Useless Information
Robin Zander and Rick Neilson from Cheap Trick both get a mention in the film.
This movie review was published on 22 Oct 2004, by James
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