When I first had the idea to ask people who'd never seen some pop culture touchstones to watch them and tell me what they thought, I had thoughts on which films would stand the test of time and which ones wouldn't. "Surely" I said to myself "Ferris is still the man."
Enter Castor Troy.
Sir Castor, blogger extraordinaire whose taste is beyond reproach managed to get this far without knowing why the rest of us get the giggles with the mere mention of Abe Froman...or hearing a verse of "Danke Schoen"...or dryly asking "Anyone?...anyone?..."
So along with feeling like I was righting a great wrong and bringing Castor into the light, I was given yet another crack at continuing my series of asking people how films I find to be pop culture touchstones have held up to the test of time.
So take a look after the jump at my post-Ferris conversation with Castor, and his take on John Hughes' 1986 opus; FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF.
MH: So, did you like it?
CT: For the most part, yes, I did like it but I didn't love it, much like a comparable and equally beloved movie from Hughes: The Breakfast Club. Certainly, Ferris Bueller is a thoroughly entertaining light comedy from beginning to end. However, I didn't think it was all that remarkable. The characters can come off as arrogant, prickly and privileged kids, and the story is on the light side, basically a long ride through the classy part of Chicago.
MH: Surprised the tourism board never co-opted the film. Did you have any expectations going in?
CT: I knew going in that many regarded Ferris Bueller's Day Off as a teen comedy classic. Although my expectations were high, it was tempered by my awareness that the 80's are long gone and that I might not love it as much as some people who actually grew up during that period.
MH: Well speaking of "that period" many of us who grew up with these movies get blinded to hallmarks of the 80's. Did the film feel dated at all?
CT: Surprisingly, I didn't think the movie felt all that dated. This is partly due to Tak Fujimoto's cinematography. I think a bright and vibrant cinematography always helps a movie to feel more timeless. Also, the thematic content of the movie just never goes stale with teenagers of all eras going through their tumultuous and rebellious phase. Now, as I alluded earlier, maybe it feels dated in how I see Ferris Bueller.
MH: Well going back to that, are you saying that from an adult's perspective, Ferris seems less like an icon and more like a brat?
CT: In more ways than not, yes. I realize that the movie is supposed to be completely innocent and harmless but I would think that many contemporary viewers would deem Ferris to be a spoiled brat who thinks the entire universe is revolving around him. What I see is some upper middle class kid who has accomplished absolutely nothing in life, yet thinks he deserves to live the good life. Not only that but he goes and bully his best friend, manipulates his loving parents and gets into all kind of trouble without any consequences. Is it because we have gone through something like 9/11 that I can't see the innocence and iconic nature of Ferris Bueller?
MH: Wow. To me that's amazing since many of us who saw him through younger eyes thought of him as such a "cool guy"...the sort of cat who was able to charm his way in and out of any problem.
CT: Indeed, I could see how teenagers could look up to Ferris in that light but once you are a little more mature and realize there is a consequence to doing these kind of "cool" things, it detracts from the movie. What is the message of this movie? That you can act like a brat and bear no consequences?
MH: The message that most take away is Ferris' declaration that "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it"
CT: Is that a question?
MH: I'm not sure myself and I asked it.
CT: Ferris says that a couple times in the movie but I don't think skipping school and acting like a spoiled child is actually enjoying life. One of the main problem with the movie is the fact that Ferris is a relatively stagnant character. While his friend Cameron goes through some dramatic changes, Ferris doesn't make any big discovery about himself or the world. He is basically the exact same guy at the start and at the end of the movie.
MH: That last point was probably my inner twelve-year-old talking. This is one of the few films that makes me laugh every time I watch it. How funny was it for you?
CT: I found the movie more chuckle-worthy rather than laugh-out-loud funny. Actually, I didn't laugh at all. Sure, it is pleasant and lightweight but for the most part, I thought the movie was more amusing than hilarious.
MH: So, all said and done, you're saying that this film really isn't the neo-classic people like me would have you believe.
CT: That's exactly what I'm saying! This may have captured the hearts and mind of thousands in the 1980's but the movie isn't timeless enough to be a true classic. What is this movie trying to say? That it is ok to be a jackass as long as you don't get caught? Had Ferris called sick and done something actually meaningful and unselfish on his day off, the movie would have been much more memorable. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it", that quote is just an excuse for his boorish actions. It's a fairly pleasant movie but I think it is quite overrated and certainly not in the top 10 or 15 best teen movies of all-time.
MH: Interesting, I coulda swore this film held up. Let's end on a positive note though - I'd wager there was something about the film that you'll take away in a positive light.
CT: That German-American parade in Downtown Chicago with Ferris singing and dancing spontaneously and the band backing him up. It's a well done scene that anyone can appreciate and this is where the essence of the movie should have been.
MH: Can't beat Wayne Newton and John Lennon. So, on a scale of 1 to 5?
CT:It was pleasant enough, I just didn't think it was all it was made out to be. I rate it a 3.5/5
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Falling For the First Time (Talkin' FERRIS BEULLER with Castor Troy)
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16 comments:
When I graduated high school in 2005 my "class quote" was the infamous Ferris line you all mentioned. So on that level I think it still holds up as a movie teenagers can appreciate and enjoy.
However it should be noted my high school was in an upper class part of town and overrun by upper upper middle class kids who suffered cases of narcissism that would make Ferris seem humble.
At the time, and maybe for a long time after, and maybe even a little bit now...I was a bit in love with Mia Sara. She became a sort of benchmark against which I judged everyone else.
Not seen her in many other films though.
Castor brings up some very valid and thought-provoking points. If FERRIS didn't have such a strong undertone with Cameron's subplot, then it's tongue-in-cheekiness would probably have allowed it to hold up against sociological scrutiny. Although, if the Cameron storyline was scrapped, then the movie might not have survived this long.
In light of this argument, I'm looking at what Hughes might have been alluding to on a grander scale. Could it be that Ferris is the symbol for what was wrong with the 80s, and that it's Cameron's voice is the one we should be listening to? The 80s were all about excess, entitlement, and privilege. Taking responsibility was the least of anyone's priorities. By the end of the film, though, we see what happens when we get tired of being blind-sided by excess, and that is manifested by Cameron lashing out. He takes a swipe at the material and stands up to accept the consequences. Maybe Hughes meant this to be a passionate plea to his teenage followers: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it". It's not about stopping and enjoying fine dining and getting in and out of mischief. It's about realizing that all this materialism isn't life, but what's hindering it. Stop being materialistic, start enjoying your life by taking risks and accepting consequences. Cameron is the true hero to be admired, and Ferris is the model we have to leave behind.
Great analysis Cheshire. This may have been Hughes intent but if that was the case, he should have made much more obvious by having Ferris go through some inner turmoil and the realization of these themes you are talking about.
@Castor - Therein lies the flaw. I think it should have been Cameron who makes the observation to Ferris, perhaps at the end of the film, that "Life moves pretty fast...". But then, will the audience really be listening to Cameron? The mirror isn't held up long enough to show Ferris's shortcomings, which is probably why your argument holds water: the protagonist hasn't changed, hasn't grown or learned a valuable lesson, and the grown-ups we are now look back and think "what a little shit."
I saw this as a kid in the 80's so my view might be skewed but I definitely always felt Cameron was the true main character of the film and that, in fact, Ferris's Day Off was a means to save his friend. Plus, the character of Jeanie Bueller and her contempt for her brother spoke for all of us who looked disgustingly (and perhaps longingly) at the upper crust who seemed, on the surface, to have it all. And as I have aged I sometimes actually wish Jeanie would have stuck it to Ferris at the end.
It's also worth noting I now work in the exact same business district as Ferris's dad which might suggest I failed to heed the film's code. And that depresses me.
Love this series. Castor gave pretty much exactly the answers I thought I would hear from someone just catching the film for the first time today. I agree that the movie is not laugh out loud funny. It's not as edgy or as in your face as something like Superbad or Old School. So I get the chuckle worthy comment - the film is more than just amusing though. I think it would be tough to sit through this film without a huge smile on your face for the majority of the running time - which can actually be better than a film I'm constantly laughing at.
I was surprised at the condescension towards Ferris though. In hindsight in make perfect sense, but like Hatter said, we all grew up with Ferris looking up to him as some kind of super cool hero of sorts. But I don't think the "hate" for Ferris is completely warranted though. While he does mess with Cameron a bit and sure he lies to his parents (c'mon, who didn't play hooky at some point in school!?), he never does anything dastardly or hurtful to anyone. I get the impression that while Ferris always does what he wants with no consequences, he genuinely cares for his family and friends; he's simply a kid having fun and not really hurting anyone. Manipulating Cameron the way he does isn't even mean at all. Ferris looks at it from the point of view that it's for Cameron's own good - which in the end it seems it is.
So I understand all the points made by Castor, but I think looking down on Ferris for essentially being a "bad seed" is kind of unfounded.
PS - this the one movie I've always wanted to know what "kids" of today think of.
Oh, and Ed Rooney is the second greatest villain of all time.
I don't think anyone is hating on Ferris. Yes, he is well-meaning, and there is never a second where that comes into doubt, or that there is some ulterior motive other than pushing Cameron to stand up for himself. However, ignorance to the effects of your actions doesn't make you less guilty. Ferris is the anti-hero. He's what we want to be, but know we shouldn't be, because in reality we're all a lot more like Cameron - cognizant of the ramifications of our actions.
And actually, I think we've all forgotten that Ferris wants to take the blame for the car, and pleads with Cameron to let him, since Cameron's dad hates him anyway. There's a redeeming quality right there that says Ferris isn't above getting his hands dirty and taking the blame, it just works out that Cameron needs this to evolve more than Ferris does. The 80s were half over at this point. Time to start growing up. We can let ourselves blame our youthful naivete for the mistakes we made, or we can own up to it and start fresh.
I agree that "hate" is not the right word (which is why I put quotes around it). i was just being lazy and trying to get a point across. but
"I would think that many contemporary viewers would deem Ferris to be a spoiled brat who thinks the entire universe is revolving around him. What I see is some upper middle class kid who has accomplished absolutely nothing in life, yet thinks he deserves to live the good life. Not only that but he goes and bully his best friend, manipulates his loving parents and gets into all kind of trouble without any consequences."
Seems like a statement that really is anti-Ferris. Which is a total valid criticism, I just personally don't see it in that light.
This is an interesting series. You should have someone do Can't Buy Me Love with Patrick Dempsey if it hasn't been on already.
Mad Hatter, this is a great series! Okay, I was 18 when this film came out. It's one of my all time favs and now I'm going to point out some reasons why. My take on Ferris at the time was we all know someone who seems to breeze through life and get away with everything. I always felt I was getting a glimpse of this type of person at a younger age. What I loved about Ferris was that they did not cast the tallest guy, hunky guy or even cool guy. Matthew Broderick had not played a guy like that before so he really had his work cut out for him. I also loved what they considered a fun day. The went to an art museum! That meant the world to me. Not to mention that while they were there, they played The Smiths in the background. They had fun at a parade and danced on a float! It was refreshing to see young kids having stupid fun. This movie still rocks and my kids love it.
I first saw this film a year or two ago and wasn't even born when it was originally released. I still took a lot from it and seem to prefer the 80s high school films to the 90s ones. Maybe it has something to do with longing for something I never had. The first time I saw it I too found Ferris a tad irritating - I always loved Cameron
I don't know what movie you guys are talking about. *hides away* But, Castor! You're a great interview~~~
@joel - the only old Patrick Dempsey movie I remember is that one where he's a pizza delivery. I probably caught it on tv when I was like 5 or 6, and it was weird. LOL
"While his friend Cameron goes through some dramatic changes, Ferris doesn't make any big discovery about himself or the world. He is basically the exact same guy at the start and at the end of the movie."
Ferris doesn't grow as a character? Who gives a shit - this is a John Hughes teen comedy we're talking about here. Not that that's an excuse, necessarily, but c'mon, put the film in its proper context. Does it really need a South Parkian "You know, I learned something today..." moment? More than that, it's intent is right there in the title - this is about a day off playing hooky, do we really want it to be deep? I'm not sure what film Castor thought he was sitting down to watch...I'd hate to think of the person that watches Predator for the first time and walks away saddened by the fact that Dutch doesn't change as a character over the course of 90 minutes.
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