I saw Lucas for the first time today... more than 20 years since it first came out. I have to admit, I'm a huge 80's fan and even though I was just a kid during the 80's I consider myself to be pretty familiar with the pop culture of the time. However, for some odd reason, I never got around to seeing Lucas. I have to say that, despite the fact that this movie is so old and I've seen movies with similar plots since, this movie still made me teary-eyed. I absolutely adored Corey Haim when I was a young girl and his role as the sweet, vulnerable, yet highly intelligent nerd gave me the fuzzies... the same way he used to when I was young. He, along with the rest of the cast (including Kerri Green, Winona Ryder, and Charlie Sheen), gave a great performance... typical of the 80's teen flicks (with an over-abundance of clichés), but, nonetheless, touching. It's definitely up there with the all time classics: Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink... and any of the flicks including the Brat Pack. Definitely worth seeing if you're in a nostalgic mood and want to revisit the old days of knee-high tube socks and head bands.
59 Reviews
The locust will be back soon...
=G=6 October 2001
...and "Lucas" is still a charming and sentimental little high school campus comedy with a message about what's important in life (and it ain't football). Telling of a goggle-eyed "shrimp" (Haim) with little going for him, save his indomitable spirit, who tries desperately to win the affection of a pretty cheerleader (Green), "Lucas" is a crowd pleasing blast from the past with its priorities in order. In this day when movies with messages are rare, "Lucas" is a good family flick (for 13 and up) worth revisiting.
Underrated teen flick.
BrandonHamilton7 December 2001
This is a great, great film. Quite possibly one of the most accurate depictions of high school life I've ever seen. Lucas is funny, touching, and insightful. Corey Haim gives a truly winning performance as the tormented title character and makes the audience sympathetic towards him. Charlie Sheen, Kerri Green, and Winona Ryder all leave their mark in this film as his few friends and the rest of the cast works nicely. The great thing about this movie is that, although billed as a romantic comedy, it is more of a drama that explores the difficulty of being an outsider, this film doesn't give in to teen-flick cliches, it is almost relentless in terms of causing the audience to feel sorry for Lucas and at times it's downright scary. This film really made me think about how stupid high school social structures can be, it really is that bad for some people, in fact it's worse. I think this film is an emotional, moral masterpiece. I hate high school, I love Lucas. If you want to see high school for what it really is...skip "Ferris Bueller" or "10 things I hate about you", see Lucas, good stuff.
Extraordinary inspiration...
jpschapira22 December 2006
There's something extraordinary about "Lucas"; something that makes it impossible for us to reject it. We have always watched movies like "Lucas" along the ages, I have watched plenty of movies like it; and have disliked them all. Not that "Lucas" is great, but you know what I say about 'Love Actually"? If you express it with this film, "Lucas" is good as a movie, but almost brilliant as a family inspirational picture.
What happens in the film is like a tale An old tale of a boy who is not accepted in his everyday environment and tries to live with it. The hero of this tale is the special Lucas, played by Corey Haim as a boy who is definitely stranger and more intelligent than the rest of his companions; it's something you notice immediately.
Or at least Maggie (Kerri Green) notices it. She spends the entire summer with him and when school starts he doesn't know what's going to happen. Logically, he has his two or three nerdy best friends that are there for him, included a girl named Rina (the first role Winona Ryder ever played, with 15 years old or so Gorgeous), who obviously likes him and follows his look while he is searching for Maggie on the first day of classes.
It's not that Lucas dislikes his friends, but that he had sensed something different when knowing Maggie. But Maggie is older, and interested in older guys like Cappie (a very young Charlie Sheen), for example. In a very good scene where Cappie takes care of Lucas, Maggie thanks him and they both talk about Lucas My brother thought Maggie was in love with Lucas, but I told him that she had a crush on Cappie The movie understands the characters so well that it turned out the way I said, of course.
The language these kids deal with, the situations they live are real. David Seltzer, who directed and wrote the film, puts strong and hurtful words in his screenplay so they generate an impact in the picture's most moving moments. "But that doesn't turn you on, does it?", Lucas tells Maggie That's not the kind of phrase you'd commonly listen a 13-year old say, even less on a film. That's the way Seltzer shapes his characters, in a way that we believe everything they declare and in a way that the only thing that becomes predictable in the movie is the storyline itself.
A known writer, Seltzer has directed few things. As a director, he also preserves his characters. Watch a beautiful scene where the choir is singing and the camera goes from side to side showing each of the main characters looking at the person he likes, but not one of them being corresponded with the look. That's perfect directing, even more in a film of this type So classic: the simple edition (Priscilla Nedd-Friendly, "Down to Earth"), the touchy score (Dave Grusin, "The Goonies", "Hope Floats", "Selena").
What I'm trying to say is that, to Seltzer, is all about the movie. The actors don't show off, Corey Haim is the hero but not the star. It's about the movie; a piece with an absolutely clichéd resolution that we find inspiring and therefore embrace.
What happens in the film is like a tale An old tale of a boy who is not accepted in his everyday environment and tries to live with it. The hero of this tale is the special Lucas, played by Corey Haim as a boy who is definitely stranger and more intelligent than the rest of his companions; it's something you notice immediately.
Or at least Maggie (Kerri Green) notices it. She spends the entire summer with him and when school starts he doesn't know what's going to happen. Logically, he has his two or three nerdy best friends that are there for him, included a girl named Rina (the first role Winona Ryder ever played, with 15 years old or so Gorgeous), who obviously likes him and follows his look while he is searching for Maggie on the first day of classes.
It's not that Lucas dislikes his friends, but that he had sensed something different when knowing Maggie. But Maggie is older, and interested in older guys like Cappie (a very young Charlie Sheen), for example. In a very good scene where Cappie takes care of Lucas, Maggie thanks him and they both talk about Lucas My brother thought Maggie was in love with Lucas, but I told him that she had a crush on Cappie The movie understands the characters so well that it turned out the way I said, of course.
The language these kids deal with, the situations they live are real. David Seltzer, who directed and wrote the film, puts strong and hurtful words in his screenplay so they generate an impact in the picture's most moving moments. "But that doesn't turn you on, does it?", Lucas tells Maggie That's not the kind of phrase you'd commonly listen a 13-year old say, even less on a film. That's the way Seltzer shapes his characters, in a way that we believe everything they declare and in a way that the only thing that becomes predictable in the movie is the storyline itself.
A known writer, Seltzer has directed few things. As a director, he also preserves his characters. Watch a beautiful scene where the choir is singing and the camera goes from side to side showing each of the main characters looking at the person he likes, but not one of them being corresponded with the look. That's perfect directing, even more in a film of this type So classic: the simple edition (Priscilla Nedd-Friendly, "Down to Earth"), the touchy score (Dave Grusin, "The Goonies", "Hope Floats", "Selena").
What I'm trying to say is that, to Seltzer, is all about the movie. The actors don't show off, Corey Haim is the hero but not the star. It's about the movie; a piece with an absolutely clichéd resolution that we find inspiring and therefore embrace.
Perfect Sunday morning chill movie!
AmigaJay16 August 2022
Living in the UK this was a hard to get film, i paid a hefty amount to get an import ex-rental US copy back in the day.
Do i regret paying that amount in hindsight to watch Winona Ryder's first movie part - yes! (She only has around 6m screen time!)
The film itself is a feel good school teen movie, distinctively 1980's, enjoyable for the most part with a nice pace to it.
The characters are likeable, with some cringey moments on Lucas' part due to the age difference, not only in character age but a bigger gap in the actors!
Charlie Sheen is the standout actor here, mainly due to his age, but Corey Haim and Kerry Green do a sterling job in this enjoyable not too serious high school romp.
Do i regret paying that amount in hindsight to watch Winona Ryder's first movie part - yes! (She only has around 6m screen time!)
The film itself is a feel good school teen movie, distinctively 1980's, enjoyable for the most part with a nice pace to it.
The characters are likeable, with some cringey moments on Lucas' part due to the age difference, not only in character age but a bigger gap in the actors!
Charlie Sheen is the standout actor here, mainly due to his age, but Corey Haim and Kerry Green do a sterling job in this enjoyable not too serious high school romp.
More Than Your Average Brat Pack Movie.
Scott-49 December 1998
This film is becoming a classic because of the fine, early performances from Winona Ryder, Charlie Sheen, Corey Haim, even Courtney Thorne-Smith of "Ally McBeal".
It is a unique movie with a love triangle where the viewer wants both guys (Sheen and Haim) to get the girl. But of course both can not.
"Lucas" is about the truths of life and relationships, and how the teenage years bring them to the surface. Another interesting element is the use of insects for symbolism.
It is a unique movie with a love triangle where the viewer wants both guys (Sheen and Haim) to get the girl. But of course both can not.
"Lucas" is about the truths of life and relationships, and how the teenage years bring them to the surface. Another interesting element is the use of insects for symbolism.
A cringe movie
Saltyskid30 July 2021
Lucas is the type who put suger under his pillow for a sweet dream.
How lucas can go this far for a cute girl like that. The society is unfair.
And lucas deninded winona crush,that made this movie derseve a 5.
But the sweet haim co star and him really made this step up to 7 For sheen,that was disgusting to think about him and his veg oil at the 'lucas' set.
How lucas can go this far for a cute girl like that. The society is unfair.
And lucas deninded winona crush,that made this movie derseve a 5.
But the sweet haim co star and him really made this step up to 7 For sheen,that was disgusting to think about him and his veg oil at the 'lucas' set.
A Touching Classic from the Wonderful 80's
claudio_carvalho28 January 2016
During the summer vacation, the fourteen year-old Lucas Bly (Corey Haim) meets the sixteen year-old newcomer in town Maggie (Kerri Green) and they become best friends. Lucas is an intelligent boy that loves bugs and shows the mansion where he lives to Maggie. When classes begin, Maggie learns that Lucas is not a popular student but an outcast nerd at school and bullied by the football players. The football captain Cappie (Charlie Sheen) protects Lucas because the boy helped him when he was ill. Soon Lucas has a crush on Maggie but she falls in love with Cappie, while Lucas' schoolmate Rina (Winona Ryder) loves him. When Maggie joins the cheerleaders, Cappie's girlfriend Alise (Courtney Thorne-Smith) becomes jealous of her and she ends the relationship with Cappie. Meanwhile Lucas joins the football team expecting to impress Maggie. During a game, Lucas is hurt and Maggie finds that he lives in a trailer with his alcoholic father. What will happen to Lucas?
"Lucas" is a touching classic from the wonderful 80's, with a pleasant and sensitive story of unrequited first love. Corey Haim has a magnificent performance in the role of a boy with no family that falls in love with an older girl. The difference of two years for a fourteen year-old boy is indeed too much. Another attraction is to see Winona Ryder, Charles Sheen and others very young in the beginning of career. After almost thirty years, "Lucas" is still a delightful heartbreaking film. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "A Inocência do Primeiro Amor" ("The Innocence of the First Love")
Note: On 10 April 2019 I saw this film again.
"Lucas" is a touching classic from the wonderful 80's, with a pleasant and sensitive story of unrequited first love. Corey Haim has a magnificent performance in the role of a boy with no family that falls in love with an older girl. The difference of two years for a fourteen year-old boy is indeed too much. Another attraction is to see Winona Ryder, Charles Sheen and others very young in the beginning of career. After almost thirty years, "Lucas" is still a delightful heartbreaking film. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "A Inocência do Primeiro Amor" ("The Innocence of the First Love")
Note: On 10 April 2019 I saw this film again.
Lucas would never have dropped ball in real life, but a worthy movie
drystyx25 April 2006
Lucas was a very interesting movie, which gave extra dimensions to the young characters and explored their level of maturity. I only gave the movie a 6 because of a few major flaws. First the good points. The characters who were in different stages of physical and emotional maturity. Note how the Sheen character is allowed to grow early. By being a sort who shoots up in physical growth early he capitalizes (Cappy) on the chance to mature as a leader as well, preferring some intellectual friends to the immature teammates who still pick on Lucas. The fun loving offensive lineman character and his middle level of maturity is also interesting. Lucas is a nerd, but tries to expand his horizons. And the casting crew and director made sure to make this a female appeal movie by casting the ugly duckling girls as the glamor girls, and the gorgeous girls as the nerds. The major flaw was Lucas dropping the ball in the end. We've all played different roles in life, and any guy can tell you that in that situation Lucas catches the ball 100 times out of 100. The character of the coach who is well defined as a punk from the beginning is very hard to envision as keeping his job (maybe he didn't.) One weird bit, a woman must have had the most say in the casting, because easily the best looking girl was the one in the band, and I remember being a high school boy. There is no way the boys would be chasing the two plain girls in the movie and ignoring the foxes like that girl in the band. Looks like a female fantasy. All in all, a worthy movie.
The story of first HeartBreak
sulemanashiq225 July 2019
21st March 2014
It was the first time, I watched this beautiful story of first heartbreak. The real reason to watch the film was KERRI GREEN.
Back in those days, she was my crush.
Seen her work in The Goonies, I searched for her filmography and Lucas appeared second on the list. After a lot of browsing struggle, I downloaded and then watched it more closely. I couldn't escape out of the universe created by David Seltzar.
Next day, I watched it again with my brother to let him explore the emotions of first love.
Over the years, I watched this film countless times with closed observation.
To me, Lucas is a story of first heartbreak, it is a story of challenging your destiny, it is a story of a try-hard and hard until you fail, it is a story of changing perceptions, It is a story of innocence.
The basic foundations of the film plot are the emotions possed by its primary characters. I've never been to High School nor Loved but Lucas is a wormhole that leads back to my School Life, to the age of innocence. It is an accurate depiction of American high school life. Our Cultures and Trends were different unlike American or British High Schools yet I felt the Journey of Lucas Blye. David Seltzar weaved the story magnificently that the viewers got a feeling of trapped in the story.
Back In those days, Corey Haim was a struggling teenage artist but he acted brilliantly. His portrayal was sincere, you really got the sad vibes for Lucas Blye.
Kerri Lee Green as Margaret "Maggie" was the charm of this film. Her character had some beautiful traits of a woman and green presented it onscreen effortlessly. You can't take your eyes from her. The innocence in her eyes, compassion in her voice was class. I must say her shyness was evergreen. Watching her performance still makes me breathless. Seems like, a girl fallen in love with me, may have her traits.
Charlie Sheen was Good as Cappie, I read somewhere that he was the heartthrob of the 1980s and he got himself screwed.
Lucas was the Debut film of Wioanaa Ryder and she excelled, dialogues were limited but eyes were the windows to her acting caliber. The way she looked at Lucas was Breathtaking, the delights of first love. Supporting Cast did a phenomenal job.
The cinematography of the film is wonderful, I must say Lucas is a trapdoor to 1980's life. Reynaldo Villalobos makes this film, a masterpiece. Melodies of Dave Grusin define the time dimension.
Lucas was released on 28 March 1986, after 10 years 31st March 1996 was the day when the story of my life begins so, maybe that's the reason this film makes me nostalgic about time and life.
To me, Lucas is a story of first heartbreak, it is a story of challenging your destiny, it is a story of a try-hard and hard until you fail, it is a story of changing perceptions, It is a story of innocence.
The basic foundations of the film plot are the emotions possed by its primary characters. I've never been to High School nor Loved but Lucas is a wormhole that leads back to my School Life, to the age of innocence. It is an accurate depiction of American high school life. Our Cultures and Trends were different unlike American or British High Schools yet I felt the Journey of Lucas Blye. David Seltzar weaved the story magnificently that the viewers got a feeling of trapped in the story.
Back In those days, Corey Haim was a struggling teenage artist but he acted brilliantly. His portrayal was sincere, you really got the sad vibes for Lucas Blye.
Kerri Lee Green as Margaret "Maggie" was the charm of this film. Her character had some beautiful traits of a woman and green presented it onscreen effortlessly. You can't take your eyes from her. The innocence in her eyes, compassion in her voice was class. I must say her shyness was evergreen. Watching her performance still makes me breathless. Seems like, a girl fallen in love with me, may have her traits.
Charlie Sheen was Good as Cappie, I read somewhere that he was the heartthrob of the 1980s and he got himself screwed.
Lucas was the Debut film of Wioanaa Ryder and she excelled, dialogues were limited but eyes were the windows to her acting caliber. The way she looked at Lucas was Breathtaking, the delights of first love. Supporting Cast did a phenomenal job.
The cinematography of the film is wonderful, I must say Lucas is a trapdoor to 1980's life. Reynaldo Villalobos makes this film, a masterpiece. Melodies of Dave Grusin define the time dimension.
Lucas was released on 28 March 1986, after 10 years 31st March 1996 was the day when the story of my life begins so, maybe that's the reason this film makes me nostalgic about time and life.
Stands alongside Breakfast Club as an Eighties teen classic
Barnes-315 May 2001
Lucas was released with little fanfare in 1986, and many think it is one of the greatest "teen" movies ever made. I would agree, for the simple reason that this particular film has realistic, sympathetic and likeable characters and, with the exception of all the football heroic antics towards the end, it's just full of sweetness and charm.
Looking back, it's one of those films with a very interesting cast...
Corey Haim (Lucas Blye) - this was Haim's finest hour, giving a really excellent performance as the title character, a misfit who listens to classical music and collects bugs in lieu of rock 'n' roll and partying. He followed this up with The Lost Boys the following year, but then WHAT happened?!!?...
Kerri Green (Maggie) - everyone loved this sweetly appealing, auburn haired actress in The Goonies (1985) and Lucas - she was lovely in both films. However, Kerri sadly chose not to persue an active film career, which is a disappointment as she would certainly have become a big movie star had she wanted to be...
Winona Ryder (Rena) - even in such a small supporting role, not to mention a debut performance, Winona indicated that she had an extraordinary acting talent. Even though her Lucas co-stars had the bigger roles, it was Winona who has become a major movie star with a huge array of films to her credit, plus two Oscar nominations for her work in The Age of Innocence (1993) and Little Women (1994)...
Charlie Sheen (Cappie) - 1986 was a great year for Martin Sheen's son. In Lucas and Platoon, Sheen did some great work. But like Corey Haim, what on earth went wrong?!...
Courtney Thorne-Smith (Alise) - who would have thought over a decade later this actress would do such a good job as Georgia Thomas in the hugely successful TV series Ally McBeal?!...
Despite its almost universal acclaim and brilliant young cast, Lucas is not as well-known to movie lovers as, say, Pretty in Pink or any other teen movie of that era. Well, all I can say is that those who have not seen Lucas are sadly missing out on something incredibly special.
Looking back, it's one of those films with a very interesting cast...
Corey Haim (Lucas Blye) - this was Haim's finest hour, giving a really excellent performance as the title character, a misfit who listens to classical music and collects bugs in lieu of rock 'n' roll and partying. He followed this up with The Lost Boys the following year, but then WHAT happened?!!?...
Kerri Green (Maggie) - everyone loved this sweetly appealing, auburn haired actress in The Goonies (1985) and Lucas - she was lovely in both films. However, Kerri sadly chose not to persue an active film career, which is a disappointment as she would certainly have become a big movie star had she wanted to be...
Winona Ryder (Rena) - even in such a small supporting role, not to mention a debut performance, Winona indicated that she had an extraordinary acting talent. Even though her Lucas co-stars had the bigger roles, it was Winona who has become a major movie star with a huge array of films to her credit, plus two Oscar nominations for her work in The Age of Innocence (1993) and Little Women (1994)...
Charlie Sheen (Cappie) - 1986 was a great year for Martin Sheen's son. In Lucas and Platoon, Sheen did some great work. But like Corey Haim, what on earth went wrong?!...
Courtney Thorne-Smith (Alise) - who would have thought over a decade later this actress would do such a good job as Georgia Thomas in the hugely successful TV series Ally McBeal?!...
Despite its almost universal acclaim and brilliant young cast, Lucas is not as well-known to movie lovers as, say, Pretty in Pink or any other teen movie of that era. Well, all I can say is that those who have not seen Lucas are sadly missing out on something incredibly special.
Tenderhearted
scarlettwyrtzen6 May 2021
I couldn't find this movie anywhere so I watched as many clips as I could on YouTube. Wow! This movie seems to tender and raw. I'm glad that a movie like this exists for young boys like Lucas. I really can't think of anything bad to say about the movie itself except about the filming.
Corey Haim. Apparently Charlie Sheen and him had so legal drama going around way after filming involving rape and underage rape but it has been denied by Sheen. Most of the action took place during the filming but who really knows?
Corey Haim has also since then died. Which is terribly sad. But all I have to say is wow and this movie seems so sweet and WINONA WIDER!
Corey Haim. Apparently Charlie Sheen and him had so legal drama going around way after filming involving rape and underage rape but it has been denied by Sheen. Most of the action took place during the filming but who really knows?
Corey Haim has also since then died. Which is terribly sad. But all I have to say is wow and this movie seems so sweet and WINONA WIDER!
Lucas is a smooth watch!
namashi_126 February 2009
David's 'Lucas' is surely one of the most heartwarming movies from the 80's. It's a very old film, but it's charm will rule even today. The film released in 1986 and bombed at the box office, but earned a cult following in its video/DVD release. Its really a very sweet film which deserves a watch.
Performances: A young Charlie Sheen does well. A really young Wionna Ryder also is good. The actor who plays Lucas is first-rate. Ditto for the girl.
'Lucas' is a heartwarming, lovely film. A feel-good film that leaves you satisfied and impressed.
Performances: A young Charlie Sheen does well. A really young Wionna Ryder also is good. The actor who plays Lucas is first-rate. Ditto for the girl.
'Lucas' is a heartwarming, lovely film. A feel-good film that leaves you satisfied and impressed.
A Touching and Emotional Teen Drama.
phillafella5 December 2003
Haim gives his overall best performance as the 14-year-old title character who has a crush on new girl Green and they bond during the summer, but by the time school begins, he gets teased by the jocks and Green leaves him out in the cold and has eyes for football hunk Sheen, who has become Lucas's bodyguard. Fraught with rejection and neglect, Lucas attempts to prove himself worthy by trying out for the football team, which he knows is no easy task for a boy his age. Unlike many other teen movies, LUCAS gives us a character that we can actually relate to, and the other characters fit in perfectly. One of the best teen movies of the 80's.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
I'm a proud Lucas
StevePulaski28 January 2011
Lucas is not only a marvelous high school film, but a brilliant Corey Haim film as well. I don't recall cheering in too many teenager movies for the protagonist to accomplish a certain goal, but I couldn't help myself. This is the kind of movie that is one I'll remember for years to come. It's nothing shy of it's expectations, and puts other movies of it's kind to shame. It's so polished and witty, I'm surprised John Hughes didn't have his name on this gem.
I bring that up because it's a good point. John Hughes was always doing movies that revolved around "the underdog" or someone who was an unlikely hero. In Weird Science, the premise was centered around a couple of geeky kids, Career Opportunities is centered around a Target slacker, and Sixteen Candles was when the geeky kid gets the girl. So it looks like someone beat John Hughes to his own game making a film about the nerd and the dream girl. Still, no disrespect to the God of teen films.
Lucas (Haim) is a nerdy fourteen year old who meets and quickly falls in "love" with a girl named Maggie (Green). Maggie is a new girl, and Lucas wants her all to himself. Who could blame him? Maggie is a gorgeous individual. Id want her all to myself as well. If I went to the high school Lucas was in, it'd be "The Battle of the Nerds".
Like many would guess, Lucas' nerdy ways and foul mouth get him into all kinds of trouble. The main bullies are ones on the football, but due to their high appeal of being "men", Maggie is attracted to Cappie (Sheen). Cappie is a football player who sticks up for Lucas because he fears his mouth will get him hurt. Maggie and Cappie become close friends, which drives Lucas nuts. Lucas begins to become more and more distant from Maggie.
The film captures what many teen movies ignore, or don't focus on too much; the first love. I'm going to kind of follow Roger Ebert and say your first love isn't because of beauty, it's because the other person is perfect in their own way. I remember my first "love" way back in first grade. I invited her over to my house countless times. During the second grade, she went to a Catholic school and I never saw her again.
Thankfully, I found her on Facebook this past year. She lives out of state, and we talk every now and then. By "now and then" I mean once every six months. It hurts because I know we'll never be close like we used to. I was nuts about her, and talking to her not too long ago she said she even knew I was head over heals, but never told me. I was so shocked.
I got over it like anyone would, but I think about her a lot from time to time. She was perfect, but chances are I'll never see her again. She was one who made me think about marriage at age six! Thats an accomplishment. Thats what makes her on my "unforgettable people list".
Going back to the film, I can say with a straight face I saw myself inside Lucas. The way he was picked on and mocked, to be loved and cherished at the end is how I see myself sometimes. I can be ridiculed at points in life, but I'm also loved by lots of people. I'm extremely grateful for that in every possible way.
Lucas is one of the many teen movies that is worth watching, but only one of the handful that deserve the title of "coming-of-age". Lucas himself shows you that it's okay to live life on the sidelines and to stand up for what you believe. He shows you it's okay to be different. And most importantly, he delivers one of the simplistic but satisfying lines in a film; "Keep an open mind." You go, Lucas! Starring: Corey Haim, Kerri Green, Charlie Sheen, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Winona Ryder, Tom Hodges, and Jeremy Piven. Directed by: David Seltzer.
I bring that up because it's a good point. John Hughes was always doing movies that revolved around "the underdog" or someone who was an unlikely hero. In Weird Science, the premise was centered around a couple of geeky kids, Career Opportunities is centered around a Target slacker, and Sixteen Candles was when the geeky kid gets the girl. So it looks like someone beat John Hughes to his own game making a film about the nerd and the dream girl. Still, no disrespect to the God of teen films.
Lucas (Haim) is a nerdy fourteen year old who meets and quickly falls in "love" with a girl named Maggie (Green). Maggie is a new girl, and Lucas wants her all to himself. Who could blame him? Maggie is a gorgeous individual. Id want her all to myself as well. If I went to the high school Lucas was in, it'd be "The Battle of the Nerds".
Like many would guess, Lucas' nerdy ways and foul mouth get him into all kinds of trouble. The main bullies are ones on the football, but due to their high appeal of being "men", Maggie is attracted to Cappie (Sheen). Cappie is a football player who sticks up for Lucas because he fears his mouth will get him hurt. Maggie and Cappie become close friends, which drives Lucas nuts. Lucas begins to become more and more distant from Maggie.
The film captures what many teen movies ignore, or don't focus on too much; the first love. I'm going to kind of follow Roger Ebert and say your first love isn't because of beauty, it's because the other person is perfect in their own way. I remember my first "love" way back in first grade. I invited her over to my house countless times. During the second grade, she went to a Catholic school and I never saw her again.
Thankfully, I found her on Facebook this past year. She lives out of state, and we talk every now and then. By "now and then" I mean once every six months. It hurts because I know we'll never be close like we used to. I was nuts about her, and talking to her not too long ago she said she even knew I was head over heals, but never told me. I was so shocked.
I got over it like anyone would, but I think about her a lot from time to time. She was perfect, but chances are I'll never see her again. She was one who made me think about marriage at age six! Thats an accomplishment. Thats what makes her on my "unforgettable people list".
Going back to the film, I can say with a straight face I saw myself inside Lucas. The way he was picked on and mocked, to be loved and cherished at the end is how I see myself sometimes. I can be ridiculed at points in life, but I'm also loved by lots of people. I'm extremely grateful for that in every possible way.
Lucas is one of the many teen movies that is worth watching, but only one of the handful that deserve the title of "coming-of-age". Lucas himself shows you that it's okay to live life on the sidelines and to stand up for what you believe. He shows you it's okay to be different. And most importantly, he delivers one of the simplistic but satisfying lines in a film; "Keep an open mind." You go, Lucas! Starring: Corey Haim, Kerri Green, Charlie Sheen, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Winona Ryder, Tom Hodges, and Jeremy Piven. Directed by: David Seltzer.
Missed potential
LW-0885424 December 2023
An okay film, it has potential but never quite hits the mark. The love triangle is too overused in films and the main characters lack of awareness starts to get tiresome after a while. The film came out back in 1986, I enjoyed the first half though a lot more than the second half. There's some of the usual things you'd expect from an underdog love story like this, the characters though in a sense were quite well written in their immaturity and awkwardness. In the end you kind of get a sense of where the script is going and it all unfolds thereafter just like that. Another missed chance was to give us a sense of the home lives of the characters to in order to make them a bit more flesh out and real.
For people who think Thomas Kinkaid is high realism
laubklein231 May 2015
As the lowest form of life in high school do you remember all of the football players who stood up for you when bullied? Do you remember the beauty who wanted to hang out with you rather then every one else? Or how about all the people who wanted to learn things? I have no memory of any of these things because THEY DON'T EXIST!!!!! Except here in the alternate universe of Lucas. Where teenagers have morals!! Hahahahahahahahaha.... Having said all that this unique film is really great and the worst depiction of high school on the planet. The niceness of this film make it sweet and loving but not anything near my high school experience. Except for the pain...
What Happened to Keri Green?
Coxer993 March 1999
What ever happened to the adorable female co-star of this film? She's quite lovely in this film, but she seems to have disappeared. Anyway, this is a fun teenage comedy-romance that features Corey Haim, before he got annoying, in a role where he showed great potential as an actor. My guess, he didn't know Corey Feldman yet? Charlie Sheen mumbles his way through the role of the jock with a heart. Winona Ryder, Jeremy Piven, Courtney-Thorne Smith also co-star in this...a cute film.
A sort of US equivalent for Gregory's Girl
HuntinPeck8026 July 2023
I reckon creator David Seltzer probably saw Bill Forsyth's Gregory's Girl (1981) and thought, I could do something like that for junior high USA. I'd be curious to know if Lucas is to any degree a self portrait of the writer/director.
Corey Haim plays Lucas, an 'accelerated' student of 14 amongst the 16-year-olds. He's skinny but brainy. Befriending the new girl Maggie (Kerri Green), they're two peas in a pod until the term starts, and then she starts to get distracted by new opportunities, and also the interest of a star football player, Cappie (Charlie Sheen). You can see a bunch of bright young things who went on to become very famous in the 1990s and 2000s in this movie. Lucas starts to feel sidelined, but he is determined to get Maggie's attention back, even if that means trying out for the football team himself.
Well, there's plenty to like. Roger Ebert loved this movie, but he also loved Gregory's Girl, and of the two I find the Scottish movie more believable. One problem I had with the film is that the titular character is actually a bit unlikeable. It made me think of the revisionist reading of Karate Kid, the one that identified hero Daniel as in fact the bully, and the big blonde lad as misunderstood. I started out wanting to feel sympathy for Lucas but as the story played out he began to strike me as a tad manipulative, even obnoxious. Certain things, such as his family situation, or what his motivation was for helping Cappie as per the backstory, these are cloaked in mystery (although the family reveal was quite predictable). The triumphant end to the movie struck me as absurd.
But, in fairness, the film works hard to slip away from the usual meanspirited high school genre cliches. There's a good deal of camaraderie to off-set the typical cliques and meanness.
Kerri Green's performance is the most appealing thing, and her scenes with Charlie Sheen are beguiling, whereas the scenes opposite Haim's Lucas look a bit awkward. Really, one must question the decision to make Lucas two years younger. One doesn't need to be 'accelerated' to feel out of place. All in all, Lucas is much less likeable a protagonist than John Gordon Sinclair's endearingly daft Gregory in Gregory's Girl. Both movie are, in any event, rather dated now, but only this one has a role call of actors who became famous later on: Sheen, Jeremy Piven, Winona Ryder, etc. A pity that Kerri Green can't be numbered amongst them.
A curiosity, much like the bugs Lucas collects.
Corey Haim plays Lucas, an 'accelerated' student of 14 amongst the 16-year-olds. He's skinny but brainy. Befriending the new girl Maggie (Kerri Green), they're two peas in a pod until the term starts, and then she starts to get distracted by new opportunities, and also the interest of a star football player, Cappie (Charlie Sheen). You can see a bunch of bright young things who went on to become very famous in the 1990s and 2000s in this movie. Lucas starts to feel sidelined, but he is determined to get Maggie's attention back, even if that means trying out for the football team himself.
Well, there's plenty to like. Roger Ebert loved this movie, but he also loved Gregory's Girl, and of the two I find the Scottish movie more believable. One problem I had with the film is that the titular character is actually a bit unlikeable. It made me think of the revisionist reading of Karate Kid, the one that identified hero Daniel as in fact the bully, and the big blonde lad as misunderstood. I started out wanting to feel sympathy for Lucas but as the story played out he began to strike me as a tad manipulative, even obnoxious. Certain things, such as his family situation, or what his motivation was for helping Cappie as per the backstory, these are cloaked in mystery (although the family reveal was quite predictable). The triumphant end to the movie struck me as absurd.
But, in fairness, the film works hard to slip away from the usual meanspirited high school genre cliches. There's a good deal of camaraderie to off-set the typical cliques and meanness.
Kerri Green's performance is the most appealing thing, and her scenes with Charlie Sheen are beguiling, whereas the scenes opposite Haim's Lucas look a bit awkward. Really, one must question the decision to make Lucas two years younger. One doesn't need to be 'accelerated' to feel out of place. All in all, Lucas is much less likeable a protagonist than John Gordon Sinclair's endearingly daft Gregory in Gregory's Girl. Both movie are, in any event, rather dated now, but only this one has a role call of actors who became famous later on: Sheen, Jeremy Piven, Winona Ryder, etc. A pity that Kerri Green can't be numbered amongst them.
A curiosity, much like the bugs Lucas collects.
Simply Beautiful
Tamothy17 March 2003
Nine Comments & One Question About Lucas:
Comments
1) Excellent acting by a star studded cast.
2) Wicked 80's music throughout the movie.
3) Lucas is a pervert.
4) Corey Haim had SO much promise as an actor.
5) Lucas is a party animal.
6) I love Kerri Green.
7) I cry everytime I watch this movie.
8) Yeah I'd like some Ree-sees Pee-sees.
9) Lucas is a true testament to how great the 80's were.
Question
1) If you're so depressed, how come you're eating pizza?
Rating: 10/10
Comments
1) Excellent acting by a star studded cast.
2) Wicked 80's music throughout the movie.
3) Lucas is a pervert.
4) Corey Haim had SO much promise as an actor.
5) Lucas is a party animal.
6) I love Kerri Green.
7) I cry everytime I watch this movie.
8) Yeah I'd like some Ree-sees Pee-sees.
9) Lucas is a true testament to how great the 80's were.
Question
1) If you're so depressed, how come you're eating pizza?
Rating: 10/10
A wonderful, classy teen movie!
Blondie_15 May 2002
This film is shown on HBO quite a lot. It is one of the best teen movies from the 80's, and possibly ever. The one thing I admire most is the lack of the usual teen movie ingredients-violence, sex, tons of profanity. This film shows that teen movies can be intelligent and interesting without those stereotypes. It is so well-written, well-acted, funny, and touching. Rent this one for your kids instead of letting them see 'American Pie' or any of the other teen smut movies out there! 10/10
Slow, generally boring, with an irritating lead
amazme322 July 2001
This movie had its strengths, particularly the likeable characters and the theme of the little guy against the rest of society, but the lead actor playing Lucas, Corey Haim, was not easy to relate to. He is a smart small guy in high school, but he is eccentric enough to be irritating and it is difficult for me to find any sympathy for him. His attempts to become the romantic interest of Maggie, played by Keri Green, are understandably unsuccessful. It was also comical to see him try to try out for the football team. The plot of this film progresses slowly, and the reasons I watched the film to the end were some of the likeable characters/actors as they appeared in 1986: Charlie Sheen, Courteney Thorne-Smith, Wynona Ryder. I disagree with most of the reviews I read, giving this film a 5/10 (being generous).
wish
d4v3cs11 February 2002
I wish there's a film with a touch like this one again these days, teen movie nowadays just go downright DOWN, a few hahaha & hehehe, then off to the sink it goes
sigh*...this gem reminds me a lot of my own life. I just keep seeing "Lucas" as a sad movie though, and that "survival of the fittest think" is way out of wisdom
Noni's first role is a little weak, but there's just that "spark" like in any other movie of hers. Way to go, Ms. Ryder GBWU
sigh*...this gem reminds me a lot of my own life. I just keep seeing "Lucas" as a sad movie though, and that "survival of the fittest think" is way out of wisdom
Noni's first role is a little weak, but there's just that "spark" like in any other movie of hers. Way to go, Ms. Ryder GBWU
Great Film with Lots of DEEP INNER FEELINGS!
whpratt119 August 2004
Greatly enjoyed this film which delves into the personal lives of a young geek looking guy named Corey Haim(Lucas),"Busted",'96, who pretends to be an entirely different person and falls deeply in love with Kerri Green (Maggie),"Three for the Road" and is the new girl in town who happens to run into Lucas on a tennis court. Charlie Sheen,(Cappie), "No Code of Conduct",'98, is a close friend to Lucas and tries to protect him from all the BULLIES who love to pester him on a daily basis. Courtney Thorne Smith, (Alise),"Side Out",'90, is Cappie's girlfriend who is very attractive and becomes jealous of Maggie. Winona Ryder(Rina),"Lost Souls",2000, is very pretty and is very much in love with Lucas, but he just does not seem to feel the same way towards her. There is lots of comedy and dramatic scenes and fantastic acting which tells a cute story and has some very deep feelings which teenagers encounter in real life!
Dated and sluggish teen drama
mrfrane18 August 2006
I admit I was amazed to read all the glowing reviews of this film, extolling it for being "real" and poignant. I didn't get around to watching it for 20 years, so there's no nostalgia involved. For me, the film was corny and endlessly tedious, even with all the potential of the pack of young actors involved.
There's really very little that's plausible about the film at all, from the particular geekiness of the lead to his relationship with the cute 16 y.o. girl (two years difference in high school? are you kidding?) to the corny gentle football player . . . it's loaded with sappiness and drags on unmercifully. Anyone looking for "real" high school drama would be much better off renting the series "My So-called Life" or even "Freaks and Geeks." Much better stories and far more plausible.
There's really very little that's plausible about the film at all, from the particular geekiness of the lead to his relationship with the cute 16 y.o. girl (two years difference in high school? are you kidding?) to the corny gentle football player . . . it's loaded with sappiness and drags on unmercifully. Anyone looking for "real" high school drama would be much better off renting the series "My So-called Life" or even "Freaks and Geeks." Much better stories and far more plausible.
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