Life Moves Pretty Fast…

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986) – movie review
Today’s review is for the iconic teen comedy “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986), starring Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller (a high school senior with a gift for charm, mischief, and skipping school), Alan Ruck as Cameron Frye (Ferris’s neurotic best friend with a Ferrari and a father complex), Mia Sara as Sloane Peterson (Ferris’s effortlessly cool girlfriend), Jeffrey Jones as Principal Ed Rooney (a man on a mission to catch Ferris in the act), and Jennifer Grey as Jeanie Bueller (Ferris’s resentful sister, who’s had enough of his golden-boy antics).
Background:  This was my first viewing of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and my son said he couldn’t believe I’d never seen it before.  “Dad, EVERYONE has seen that movie!“.  Well, not quite everyone – but we are now one person closer.  LoL.  Watching it as an adult, I was curious whether the film would still hold up, or whether it would feel like a relic of 80s excess and adolescent fantasy.  (It’s all three.)  Written and directed by John Hughes (the bard of suburban teen angst), the film became (and kind of still remains) a cultural touchstone — endlessly quoted, parodied, and referenced.  But beneath the hijinks and hijacked parade floats, I found a surprisingly layered film about friendship, fear, and the fleeting nature of youth.
Plot:  Ferris Bueller, a high school senior in suburban Chicago, fakes an illness to skip school and convinces his best friend Cameron and girlfriend Sloane to join him for a day of unsupervised adventure in the city.  They “borrow” Cameron’s father’s prized Ferrari, dine at a fancy restaurant, visit the Art Institute, catch a Cubs game, and crash a downtown parade — all while dodging the increasingly unhinged Principal Rooney, who’s determined to expose Ferris’s truancy.  Meanwhile, Ferris’s sister Jeanie grows increasingly frustrated by the way Ferris seems to get away with everything.  The film unfolds over a single day, but it’s packed with comic set pieces, fourth-wall breaks, and moments of unexpected emotional depth — especially in Cameron’s arc.
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Yes;  mostly charming and effective;  stylish and playful;  a few;  absolutely.
Any Good?  Yes.  “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is a breezy, inventive, and surprisingly poignant teen comedy that balances slapstick with sincerity.  It’s a film that celebrates rebellion without cruelty, and freedom (mostly) without recklessness.  Ferris may be the title character, but the emotional core belongs to Cameron — and that’s what gives the film its staying power.
Acting:  Matthew Broderick is ideal as Ferris — charismatic, self-aware, and just hairs width shy of too smug.  His direct addresses to the camera could have been grating, but Broderick makes them feel conspiratorial and charming.  Alan Ruck delivers the film’s most nuanced performance as Cameron — his anxiety, resentment, and eventual catharsis are played with surprising depth.  Mia Sara’s Sloane is appealing, and her chemistry with Broderick feels natural.  Jeffrey Jones leans into the physical comedy as Rooney, a cartoonish antagonist (think “Willie Coyote“)  whose escalating failures provide much of the film’s slapstick.  Jennifer Grey’s Jeanie is a delight — her slow-burn frustration and eventual redemption arc add texture to what could have been a one-note role.
Filming / FX:  The film a bright energy.  The camera moves with purpose — whether tracking Ferris through the halls of his house or capturing the grandeur of the Art Institute.  The editing is crisp, and the use of music — from Yello’s “Oh Yeah” to The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout” — is iconic.  There are no special effects in the traditional sense, but the film’s visual language is playful and inventive, especially in its use of fantasy sequences and fourth-wall breaks.
Problems:  Minor.  Ferris is so effortlessly perfect — popular, clever, beloved — that he feels more like a wish-fulfillment avatar than a real person.  Sloane, while charming, doesn’t get much to do beyond react to the boys.  And most of the humor around Principal Rooney is broad (predictable and frankly boring) slapstick that may not land for all viewers.  But these are minor quibbles in a film that’s more about tone and spirit than plot mechanics.
Did I Enjoy the Film?  Yes.  Watching “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was surprisingly like visiting an old friend — familiar, funny, and surprisingly moving. The film’s central message — that life moves pretty fast, and if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it — hits harder with age.  It’s not just a teen comedy;  it’s a meditation on the fleeting nature of youth, the fear of adulthood, and the importance of seizing the day.  As an adult first time viewer, I am not certain the young adult / teen target audience got much of this “message”, but I think some did – which is why it is still a touchstone for many my son’s age (mid-30s now).
Final Recommendation:  Strong Recommendation.  “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is more than just a high school lark — it’s a joyful, subversive, and surprisingly thoughtful film that still resonates decades later.  If you’ve never seen it, you’re in for a treat.  If you have, it’s worth revisiting — not just for the laughs, but for the heart.  It’s rated PG-13 for some language and suggestive content, but it’s largely family-friendly by today’s standards.
Final Thought:  Ferris may be the one skipping school, but it’s Cameron who learns the real lesson.  In the end, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” isn’t just about breaking the rules — it’s about breaking free and enjoying life THAT day.  And many times, that’s exactly what we need – even as adults / parents.
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Click here (2 November) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Returning

To practice mindfulness is to return to life in the present moment.
—     Thich Nhat Hanh
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Click here (2 November) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

Read Full Post »