La Folle Journée de Ferris Bueller

I rewatched FBDO (sorry, had to) for the first time in many years. I was not even 10 when it came out, and it is not until now that I have appreciated it a level beyond the basic comedy. It has comedy for sure, of all kinds. Slapstick, absurdity, farce, comedy-of-errors, comedy-of-manners, puns, shock, swearing, satire, parody, and on and on.

But is so much more than an outstanding comedy. It has real philosophy that is not sophomoric (they're seniors and juniors...haha). This comes in Ferris's asides, but also in what the characters say when they are not joking.

It has some complete non-sequiturs and montages that really make you ponder the characters and that capture what it is like to be young in a way that you almost never see, e.g., them looking down from the Sears Tower, the scene at the art musuem, etc.

Why? Well, real teenagers can almost never make enduring art, so they have a hard time capturing what its like to be young in any way beyond the surface. You have to know what it fleeting about youth to capture it and you only know that once you're not young any more. A 17 year old writing this movie couldn't capture youth because youth are just to callow and to inexperienced with life. But adults, even when they try to write about youth, often infuse that feeling with too much importance that isn't present when you're young. It gets too nostalgic, or treacly, or whatever.

But with FBDO, John Hughes just takes your mind back to what it was like to be about to graduate high school.

Yes, these are all privileged white kids. Yes, the whole move is extra white and extra privileged. Minorities are relegated to some really insulting stereotypical parts. So in that regard, it has not aged well at all.

BUT! This movie still captures late adolescence perfectly. That feeling of knowing your childhood is about to disappear and missing it already, but being excited about your unknown future that seems to stretch out forever ahead of you. And scared at the same time.

It just leaves you feeling warm and reminiscent and happy to be an adult, but really glad you were a kid.

I also like that Ferris, for all his likability, is a flawed character. He is a narcissist. But he's 17 (maybe 18). He hurts Cameron's feelings over and over in a way that is close to bullying or gaslighting. But protagonists shouldn't be perfect. And Ferris's flaws illustrate those of the other characters in a way that is very illuminating.

All these characters have a depth that is so lacking (except maybe the dad). Certainly Sloane and Cameron and Ferris are totally three dimensional. But even his sister, and mom are shown as real people too.

But then you have totally INSANE absurd non-sequiturs thrown in. The principal is an absolute cartoon. So is his secretary. The BONKERS way everyone in town is pulling for Ferris. I mean, they paint a WATERTOWER in like an hour?!?! The parking lot joyride. Abe Froman!? The whole parade sequence?! It is just crazy how all that happens and the movie still feels "real."

An absolute joy to watch. I haven't seen a comedy this deep in years. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, another John Hughes movie is probably similar in that regard. They do not make them like this much any more. Even 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, for all their dealing with "big issues" seem to be inhabited by cardboard cutouts (the stoner, the hectoring girlfriend/wife) compared to this film.

Watch it every couple years. You won't regret it.

First of all let me say that this movie is genuinely, ingeniously funny, the watch-it-twelve-times-and-it-never-gets-old kind of movie. I myself have seen it seven and a half times and will probably view it again before the end of summer. The movie stars then 23-year-old Matthew Broderick as 17-year-old Ferris Bueller, a high school student who would like nothing better than to be done with school. So he gives in to a strong temptation to cut class and go to downtown Chicago with friends Cameron and girlfriend Sloane (who he gets out of school extremely cleverly, and quite hilariously i might add!). It doesn't take long for principal Edward Rooney to catch on to Ferris's skipping, so he tries as hard as he can to catch him, but is going on about it quite unsuccessfully. All through the movie we learn of Cameron's struggles with his parents and life itself, and through all the hilarity of the movie Cameron finds a part of himself that he hadn't been able to find before. The movie consists of several several fun scenes, such as the German American Appreciation Day Parade, in which Ferris climbs onto the Great Float and the parade-goers dance to "Danke Schoen" by Wayne Newton and "TWIST AND SHOUT" of course, by the Beatles. Other very important characters are Jeanie Bueller, his revenge-seeking sister who can't seem to understand why Ferris gets away with everything, and Grace, the absent-minded and honest-to-a-fault secretary. There are so many left out parts and characters but to see them all you'll have to watch the movie (you won't regret it!). "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -ferris bueller I give this movie 2 thumbs up, if only i had more hands i could give it a higher rating....

Ferris Bueller was either loved or hated by his peers for always getting away with anything he'd do. Some would want him expelled, others want him for Class President. On this extremely eventful day, the audience is invited to follow Ferris, his best pal and his girlfriend from morning to afternoon (when they all should have been in school), enjoying a holiday declared by the resourceful Ferris Bueller.

They get to speed on the freeway in a Ferrari, sing "Danke Schoen" on an Octoberfest Float, eat at the most exclusive restaurant in town and always keep just one step ahead of a furious principal in hot pursuit. With fake computer grade and attendance records, Ferris has it made.

The scene where the principal hitches a ride on a school bus after having been "torn up" by Doberman watch dogs is worth the ticket price (Oh Yeah!). This is one of the funniest "high school prankster movies" ever! Has it been 20 years already? This is a definite Cult Classic! Right up there with Animal House and Caddy Shack.

On my IMDb "Top 10 Greatest Comedy Films" list.

No other "Coming Of Age" teen film since has been able to knock Ferris Bueller off its post-American Graffiti "COA" throne. Like the 1961 Ferrari GT 250 SWB California portrayed in this film (more than one used in production, and all were well-made knock-offs as no one was going to risk knocking around an ultra-rare $25M collectable), there is simply no substitute (George Lucas' American Graffiti' still reins as the all-time #1 COA film, but that came 10 years earlier, and is in a class by itself, although this film is also deserving of being considered an "important and significant film").

This was John Hughes' 4th directed movie, during his most prodigious period from 1984 to 1990, that also included 'The Breakfast Club' and 'Home Alone'.

Hughes tried to portray teens realistically and gave them relevance in his films - he was empathetic to the challenges of adolescence, and consciously avoided Hollywood's often shallow characterizations of the teen high school years.

The Library of Congress selected the film in 2014 to be preserved in the National Film Registry, honoring FBDO for its cultural significance.

Presenting "the 1980's", the golden era of teen flicks. This is another outstanding classic.

What makes the whole idea absolutely hilarious is that this isn't at all something teenagers would do when taking a breather from school. Fine dining, art exhibits and parades, really? Or how would I know, perhaps the jazz was different back in the 80's.

The humour here is very subtle but effective all the same. It's hidden in the facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice. I particularly enjoyed the famous 'staring at a canvas' scene which I found both highly entertaining and profound at the same time.

Modern-day film and television industry could take a lot from this one. It shouldn't be all about the bawdy comebacks and toilet jokes. Humour is most effective when it's undetected.

But on a more serious note, there are actually important themes that are discussed here whether it's defying your parents, discovering your abilities or keeping your friends close but enemies even closer.

With both its lighter and more serious facets I know a comedy when I see one. And this is pure comedy gold.