fast times at ridgemont high (1982)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) is an A-grade coming-of-age movie.
Based on writer Cameron Crowe’s book, the story follows a group of students from the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. Brad sees his luck turn sour after getting fired from All-American Burger. Stacy navigates the complexities of sexuality and consults her know-it-all bff, Linda. Mark "The Rat" seeks guidance from his best friend, Mike—a smooth talking hustler who gambles and scalps tickets.
Meanwhile, Jeff Spicoli just wants to get high and go surfing.
the film neither glamorized nor overdramatized high school life. being a teenager is light and breezy, but also dark and heavy. One moment, the class stoner orders pizza in the middle of a lecture. The next moment, you’re alone at an abortion clinic because the guy who got you pregnant didn’t pitch in his $75.
There is a delicate balance when dealing with teenage sexuality on screen: you want it as real as it can be without becoming exploitative. Heckerling wasn’t contemptuous toward these matters. She doesn’t dictate the characters’ actions as unforgiving.
The question then becomes: do you want to tell the truth, or be politically correct?
despite the heaviness, the heart of this film is teenage horniness. While Brad is getting caught masturbating by his sister’s best friend, Stacy is having an oral sex masterclass in the cafeteria with Linda using carrots.
"How long does a guy last in bed?", "When a guy orgasms, how much should come out?". "Do you think guys find that more attractive?"
how dare such a young lady ask such presumptuous questions!
carrot scene
Fast Times is one of the coolest movies ever. The dialogue, fashion, mall setting, and soundtrack capture the vibe of ‘80s high school life perfectly. The opening montage with the Go-Go’s We Got the Beat will lock you into the film from the very beginning. Somebody’s Baby by Jackson Browne was an appropriate backdrop for an inappropriate scene A.K.A. Stacy’s sexual encounter with the older man.
Mike may have been the biggest scumbag in the movie, but you can’t deny his impeccable style. him recommending Side one of Led Zeppelin IV as a make-out song was a great punchline. To tie everything together, Sean Penn’s portrayal of a Californian surfer dude remains one of the most timeless performances in pop culture history.
if you’re into stories with a more earnest approach, you’ll appreciate the movie and all of its quirks.
