Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

John Hughes

Writer:

John Hughes (written by)

Release Date:

11 June 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

One Man's Struggle To Take It Easy

Plot:

A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite of what the principal thinks of that.

Plot Keywords:

Singing In Shower | Teenager | Hypochondriac | Generation Gap | Actor Talks To Audience

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Oct. 11

12:45 PM

MAX

Cast

Matthew Broderick	...	Ferris Bueller
Alan Ruck	...	Cameron Frye
Mia Sara	...	Sloane Peterson
Jeffrey Jones	...	Ed Rooney
Jennifer Grey	...	Jeanie Bueller
Cindy Pickett	...	Katie Bueller
Lyman Ward	...	Tom Bueller
Edie McClurg	...	Grace, the Secretary
Charlie Sheen	...	Boy in Police Station
Ben Stein	...	Economics Teacher
Del Close	...	English Teacher
Virginia Capers	...	Florence Sparrow
Richard Edson	...	Garage Attendant
Larry Flash Jenkins	...	Attendant's Co-Pilot
Kristy Swanson	...	Simone Adamley

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Brazil:Livre | USA:PG-13 (certificate no. 28070) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Iceland:L | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:PG | Australia:PG | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Ireland:15 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

4160 Country Club Drive, Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The detective's name is Steven Lim. The film's first assistant director is also named Stephen Lim.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: A reflection of a camera can be seen in the handle of the fridge near the beginning of the film.

Quotes:

Boy in Police Station: Drugs?
Jeannie: Thank you, no. I'm straight.
Boy in Police Station: I meant, are you in here for drugs?
Jeannie: Why are you here?
Boy in Police Station: Drugs.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 44th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1987) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Taking The Day Off

One of the best comedies of the 1980's.

I just watched this again a few nights ago. I still find it very funny, and it's going to remain one of my favorites for life.

Cocky, scam-pulling teenager Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is always taking days off from school. In this film he's on his ninth "sick" day and counting. He takes his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) and his nerdy, neurotic friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) out for a really adventurous day in Chicago. His nemesis is the dean of his school, Ed Rooney (the always reliable Jeffrey Jones), who's determined to catch Ferris no matter what.

I'll just say a few things right off the bat. This film does lose momentum late in the film, getting too serious at one point. Therefore I don't think it's perfect.

However, there are so many good laughs to be had, especially when Ferris talks directly to the camera (and especially when he gives his tips on how to pretend to be sick). Also, pretty hard to lose with that cast; I liked them all (for those of you who haven't seen it, Charlie Sheen has a funny cameo). Granted, I think the main actors were all in their twenties (Alan Ruck was almost thirty, believe it or not) but still looked reasonably young so they kind of pull it off.

I got to give high marks to Jeffrey Jones. Despite my misgivings about the actor as a person in light of his recent sex scandal, he is invaluable as a performer, putting with up with a lot as Ed Rooney is humiliated over and over again in his quest to find and punish Ferris.

Also, you have to admit, Ferris' schemes wouldn't work as well if more of the characters in the film weren't so stupid. His parents are so blind to his manipulations you may be shaking your head in disbelief. At one point, Ferris' father (played by Lyman Ward) is driving, and Ferris himself pulls up beside the car on foot. Ferris' father looks out his window, sees his son jogging alongside the car ... AND DOESN'T RECOGNIZE HIM. Now THAT'S dumb.

Anyway, these are small quibbles. I still like the film a lot. Give it a try and see if you like it.

I gave it eight out of ten.