A look at teenage life and love (and sex) circa 1980 in California. I loved this film back when it came out. I graduated from high school in 1980, so I knew these characters and the movie treated teenagers realistically and was well-acted and funny. It was a rare Hollywood film that showed true-to-life teenagers. 20 years later I still like it's honesty but I don't find it funny anymore and it's actually kind of boring. Also the approach to sex is very naive (the pre AIDS talk is very uncomfortable to sit through). There are some sex scenes but not many. Supposedly there were a lot more shot but they were cut before the movie was released.
What saves this film is the great soundtrack (starts right off with the Go-Gos "We Got the Beat") and some very nice, natural performances from Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates and Judge Reinhold. However, Robert Romanus (playing the school scalper) is ugly and gives out a horrible performance. The best scenes in the film belong to Sean Penn (as Jeff Spicoli, a constantly stoned teenager) and Ray Walston (as Mr. Hand a very tough teacher). Their verbal battles are hilarious and definitely worth catching.
So, it's an OK film on late 70s/early 80s teen life.
What saves this film is the great soundtrack (starts right off with the Go-Gos "We Got the Beat") and some very nice, natural performances from Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates and Judge Reinhold. However, Robert Romanus (playing the school scalper) is ugly and gives out a horrible performance. The best scenes in the film belong to Sean Penn (as Jeff Spicoli, a constantly stoned teenager) and Ray Walston (as Mr. Hand a very tough teacher). Their verbal battles are hilarious and definitely worth catching.
So, it's an OK film on late 70s/early 80s teen life.