Rating of
3.5/4
Fast Times at Ridgemont High review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 10/16/12
A high-school film that revolves around an industrious Brad Hamilton (Judge Reinhold), stoner/surfer Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn), star football player Charles Jefferson (Forrest Whitaker), business-minded Mike Damone (Robert Romanus), Mike's shy gentlemanly friend Mark "Rat" Ratner (Brian Backer) together with friends Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh) Linda (Phoebe Cates). Soundtrack was wonderful and one can see the future legends in Whitaker and Penn. If you are observant, you can also see a young Eric Stoltz and Nicolas Coppola (or who we can refer to now as Nicolas Cage). The nudity for its era was surprising, themes touched were sensitive and direction somewhat entertaining enough. Some of the acting and scenes felt amateurish nevertheless it provided the sufficient laughs. Screenplay was effective to portray the kids experiencing issues (sex, identity, popularity, struggles in school, abortion, confidence) at a young age. Fast Times at Ridgemont High is definitely one of the best High-school flicks produced with a witty script from Cameron Crowe.
