Back To School: 80's Edition

As a kid, I experienced the last day of school with great fondness and mirth. The bell would ring for the final time, and all the students would burst forth from their seats in an explosion of cheer. Three months always seemed like an eternity. I'd look forward to staying up late and sleeping in; to playing video games and eating tons of junk food. And then, something funny would happen: The beginning of August would appear from nowhere. Suddenly, my days were filled with clothes shopping and notebook buying. Each minute was treasured like pieces of gold. And then, one day, mom was waking me up at the ass crack of dawn and it was time to return to the classroom.

If you are having end of summer anxiety, check out these high school films from the 1980's. For some reason, school was a lot more fun back then.

The Brat Pack Films

I had thought of covering each film separately, but I think most people think of them as one sort of entity. Writer/Director John Hughes had an amazing ability to tap into the conflicts and humor faced by the typical high school teen.With his films Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, and Breakfast Club (along with the others), Hughes explored the sensitivities of burgeoning womanhood and the burdens of hormonal masculinity.  His favorite star, Molly Ringwald, was the every girl next door. Women in the audience identified with her, and the men developed crushes on her. Hughes created the perfect high school comedies(/dramas) of the 1980's. It is truly a shame that he's not around to give us more.

Better Off Dead

What would high school be without young love and ridiculous rivalries? What would a high school film from the 80's be without John Cusak? Better Off Dead is a quirky comedy that stars Cusak as Lane Meyers, an obsessive boyfriend who is dumped during his senior year. Amanda Wyss, also of Nightmare on Elm Street fame, plays the girl that Meyers is determined to win back. Unfortunately for him, that task is complicated by her new relationship with the school's ski captain. (What, your school didn't have a ski team?) Along the way, Cusak meets the French exchange student living next door. She helps him with his broken down car and takes respite from her sleazy host family in his company. The film is filled with hysterical bits and even some animation. It's a great film to put your high school romance in perspective, and to encourage you to pay the paper boy.

Porky's

Speaking of young.....love, there is another struggle that many high school students face. Especially the guys. What would an 80's high school film be without tackling the subject of losing one's virginity? Some films tell the story of a boy getting the girl of his dreams. Some go with the "girl that's been in front of you the whole time" angle. Porky's, however, skips all that and goes straight for "I'll pay for it!"  
 Though it may lack the class of a Hughes film, Porky's isn't missing any of the humor. Released in the magical pre-Reagan era, the film packs more raunch than other movies of the time. The story is a simple one: a group of teens visit a bar/brothel for some low priced lovin'. The owner, Porky, is in no mood for their shenanigans and humiliates them. The rest of the film documents their attempts to get revenge. If you like your comedy a little dirty, and wanna see some boobs, check out Porky's for a good time!

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

By now, you may already be planning your first sick day. Let's face it, you skipped the first day of class, showed up for the other four days, and you can't face the thought of another Monday morning in home room. Well, you are in luck. Ferris is here to show you the way! Another Hughes gem, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is every school kid's fantasy. Matthew Broderick is the most popular guy in the school, much to the anger of his sister and principal. With a day too nice to sit in a desk, Broderick calls up his ill buddy and checks his girlfriend out of school. They spend their time traversing the city; they do any and everything they want all while avoiding their parents. Ferris is pure fun. There aren't any life lessons to be learned, there isn't a major internal conflict. (Unless you buy into that whole Fight Club theory.) Play hooky and enjoy the movie!

Teen Wolf

Ever felt a bit different? It's a common teenage feeling. Perhaps you're not as good at basketball as the others. Or, you can't get the girl. Or, you aren't very popular. No matter the reason, everyone had their moments of being the high school outcast. Teen Wolf takes that feeling to the extreme. Michael J Fox, the hot actor of the time, plays a high school student struggling with ego, identity, and his body's transformation into a wolf. Initially ashamed, Fox discovers that his dad wrestled with the same issue during his school years. Fox takes ownership of his condition, and eventually becomes everything he's ever wanted to be. Of course, it makes him arrogant and hostile. In the end, he learns to just be himself and everyone likes him better. The allegory may be a bit too nail-on-the-head, but it's still a fun flick.

Just One of the Guys

Men aren't the only ones who feel like outcasts. High schooler Terry Griffith learns the nature of discrimination first hand after losing an internship at the local paper. (It's like a magazine printed in all black and white. There's articles about news.....like the internet on a piece of paper...oh, forget it.) Refusing to submit to defeat, Terry decides to see how the other half lives. She goes undercover at a new school as a teenage guy. Hilarity ensues! It's kind of like a fun version of Boys Don't Cry. And for those of you guys who would pass on this as a "chick flick," just check out the scene with her younger brother's redecoration of his room. You won't be disappointed.

 Three O'Clock High

Bullying has become a national issue over the past couple of years. In this film, nerd Jerry Mitchell attempts to make friends with the new transfer student, Buddy Revell. Rumors of Buddy's violent behavior have followed him to his new school. After a misstep, Jerry is challenged to a fight by Buddy after school. For the rest of his day, Jerry is tormented by thoughts of being pummeled. His fear leads him to steal money from school, and a host of other craziness. He eventually comes to terms with his anxiety and takes control of his life. There are a lot of laughs in the film, and it sends a message of empowerment to those who suffer at the hands of bullies.  

 Heathers

Speaking of bullying, sometimes its your closest "friends" who do the most damage. The student body of Westerberg High is ruled over by the three Heathers: Duke, McNamara, and Chandler. Training to join their clique is Winona Ryder (Veronica.) Coming from money, the Heathers and Veronica join each other for social croquet games to discuss those beneath them. They take lunch time polls and belittle those they feel are inferior. Veronica sees through their bullshit, but has no outlet for her frustration (other than her diary) until Christian Slater arrives. He's a loner who sees Veronica as a means to a deadly end. The two become a high school Bonnie and Clyde, picking off the popular kids until a falling out splits them. Heathers is one of the most original films of the 1980's. It has a wickedly dark sense of humor, and a quirky style. The laughs are tongue in cheek, rather than slap stick. If you don't enjoy the film, I'll have to ask "What's your damage?"

Hiding Out

One day, years after you have left college and started a career, you may have a nostalgic desire to relive your high school days. Most of us (ok, almost all of us) lack that chance. That's where the movies come in. Hiding Out stars John Cryer as a successful stock broker who is caught up in mob activity. Deciding to go undercover for a while, he holds up with his nephew and returns to high school under the name "Max Hauser." The film provides a fish out of water story, with most of the jokes coming from the "adult that doesn't understand the youth" situation. There are a few action sequences that bookend the film, and enough levity to keep you going. It may provide you with a few memories to get you through the Monday morning work blues.

Teen Witch

Have you ever wanted to feel special? Have you ever thought there was more to you than what others see? Well, there might be. In any event, you probably shouldn't watch this movie. It's ridiculous at every level (even with the inclusion of second run "Darren,"  Dick Sargent). The film does take place in high school during the 1980's, however I really just wanted an excuse to post this clip of the film:

For further study, your homework is to watch the following: Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Heavenly Kid, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Last American Virgin, Footloose, The Karate Kid, and Summer School. Did we miss any? Post them in the comments for extra credit!

With any luck, you will make it through the school year with high marks. Hopefully, you'll make new friends and create memories that you'll look back on for years to come. If not, try one of these films. If you're a little old for high school, stay tuned for our look at 1980's college films!

Posted in: 1980's,better off dead,brat pack,Ferris Bueller's Day Off,Heathers,Hiding Out,Just One of the Guys,porky's,Teen Witch,teen wolf,Three O'Clock High