“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” was officially released in 1982. (same year John Carpenter’s The Thing came out) It received positive reviews from critics and movie goers alike. In addition to praise, the film made enough revenue at the box office. In 2005, the film was selected in National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. The Criterion Collection digitally restored Fast Times at Ridgemont High as spine number 1075. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Sean Penn hosted a table read to raise money for his organization Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE for Short) with a few famous faces including Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston, Shia LaBeouf, Matthew McConaughey, Dane Cook, Henry Golding, John Legend, Jimmy Kimmel and the late Ray Liotta.
This review contains no SPOILERS. I’m giving some of you a chance to see this classic teen comedy.
Fast & Slow Aspects
Fast: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Sean Penn, Phoebe Cates, (Kevin Kline’s wife) Robert Romanus (who went AWOL after the movie) & Ray Walston all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Other Cast Members features then unknown actors Nicolas Cage, (surname credited as Coppola) Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz & Anthony Edwards all did a solid job for their respective performances.
Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous, Vanilla Sky) wrote the script. Filled with memorable dialogue. My favorite is this line. “No shoes, no shirts, no dice!” The script is based on a book he wrote going incognito at Clairemont High School writing about his experience on a variety of quirky students.
Amy Heckerling (Look Who’s Talking, Clueless) did a good job directing her first movie.
Humor has some funny as heck moments. Particularly Spicoli’s encounters with Mr. Hand.
Cinematography was shot carefully.
The film has some nice tunes. Cameron was a rock journalist back in the ’70s. As you may know, “Almost Famous” is loosely based on his early career prior to becoming a filmmaker. Tom Petty’s “American Girl” is used when everybody goes to school. This is before “The Silence of the Lambs” played the song. Hence this line. “Are you about a size 14?”
Before you watch the film, make sure your kids aren’t present. It contains boobies. Especially Phoebe’s ta-tas. It all makes sense. Kevin’s a lucky dude.
If you have a keen eye, Nancy Wilson (guitarist from Heart) makes a cameo appearance driving a car. Nancy was married to Cameron.
If you own a DVD/Blu-Ray copy from Criterion, Cameron & Amy provide audio commentary reflecting on making the film.
Several texts feature a “where are they now” montage on what the characters are doing.
Slow: A really big boo when Mike suggests Rat to drive Stacy on a date listening to Led Zeppelin IV. “Kashmir” is played in the background. The song originated in another album “Physical Graffiti.” I know my music folks. My parents own a record collection of rock bands since they were kids. Could’ve played something different from the fourth album like “Misty Mountain Hop.”
The film’s obviously dated. You can tell it’s so 80s.
The Final Verdict: B, FOR BRIGHTNESS!
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a classic 80s teen comedy nearly holds up. If you’re a Criterion loyalist or looking for something to watch, give this one a try.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 