Recensioni degli utenti

I graduated a southern California high school in 1977, which is essentially the location and time period of this movie. It's incredibly on the mark. But your mileage may vary, and I'll let the other reviews cover that. My purpose here is to reveal the horror which I just witnessed on a basic cable showing of Fast Times.

This movie earned an initial 'X' rating from the MPAA when first submitted, and after a few cuts garnered an 'R' for its release. The movie I saw on basic cable this morning would barely rate PG. Massive cuts and edits were evident all through the film. Entire scenes were removed. The dialog was edited so that you'd think it was made in the 1950's. The hilarious masturbation scene was edited in such a way that it appeared Linda walked in on Brad while he was peeing. (They actually ran the film backwards during this scene.) Even some of the musical soundtrack had changed, due to rights issues I'd guess.

My point is, if you've only seen this movie on basic cable, you really haven't seen this movie. The version I saw today was on A&E, and they just butchered it. Things like that should be illegal.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a quality film. It's over 20 years old and has become one of those iconic teen movies and it's pretty easy to see why. It has everything you would expect; the bad hair, the bad clothes, the bad music, teenage awkwardness...all the clichés and stereotypes that we've seen repeated in basically every teen movie since then. And it has Sean Penn playing a stoner surfer. Sean. Penn. I'm pretty sure this movie is funnier now just because Sean Penn has had a successful career as a proper dramatic actor, and he plays the ultimate surfer dude perfectly. The grudge between himself and Mr Hand (Ray Walston) is great and probably produces the best (or at least funniest) moments of the film.

All in all, Fast Times is fun. It might be because it's dated, cheesy, and clichéd, but it still does the job and it is entertaining.

Watched this during one of those outdoor showings while I was in El Paso. Loved this more than expected. This movie is damn quotable.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a movie that keeps people laughing and wanting more. Plot and subplots covered every person's story. The ending tied everything together well.

Was surprised at the cast of this film and how well they did in their future careers. Good job, y'all.

4/5. This film is a relic and a must-watch of the 1980s American film era.

Damn, now I miss my high school years.

All throughout the decade of pencil-thin neckties and Pat Benatar look-alikes, various films came along that served to embody the times. "Valley Girl" (which introduced us to Nicholas Cage) and "Secret Admirer" were just a drop in the proverbial bucket. Amy Heckerling's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" was the textbook definition of life as a teenager in the eighties and remains so to this day. The story was brought to life in a very unique way that hasn't been duplicated since:

There was no actual plot to speak of. This was just...High School.

It's a film about a group of kids looking for love, status, or a good buzz. The film was nothing more than that, and it didn't pretend to be more. In addition, Cameron Crowe's script made you *care* about what these kids went through as if their individual situations were happening to us (as they may very well have). It's almost a crime that a sequel was never made, although a mediocre TV series was spawned. Armed with a cast of characters that struck a chord with all of us (primarily because we knew someone in High School who acted just like them), and a soundtrack that reeked of the Mark Goodman-J.J. Jackson era of MTV, this film stands as a perfect portrait of a decade a lot of us say we'd like to forget....shortly before brushing the dust off an old Night Ranger cassette and indulging in a guilty pleasure.

This teen movie set in the 1980s and sending up the 1980s was actually made in the 1980s. Well as teen movies goes it has the following

Hooters Virgin who loose their virginity Teenage sex Slightly crazy teacher Hooters A stoner Virgins who remain virgins And of course more hooters.

But like Saturday night fever it also has a story that has true elements and characters that you really care about.

The crazy teacher is someone you like as much as you like to make fun of. The virgins don't delve don't go into a long self analysis before having or not having sex, they just do or do not have sex. There are no horrible jocks to be destroyed, only one jock hero who is fooled into being an even greater hero.

And except one scene with bare breasts the nudity is integral to the story.

Why is this, because Cameron Crowe wrote a book based on his time in school as a young looking 25 year old journalist.

The movie hasn't aged because it takes the characters journey's very seriously and many of these themes still exist today. In addition it does not take the 1980s seriously. In fact as I watched it I had to check the release date to make sure it wasn't a late 1990s movie sending up the 1980s.

Some disappointments come from some of the characters and their relationship never really developing but this is a result of an author documenting what he sees around him rather than projecting himself into the characters.

Certainly one of the more interesting teen movies to be made, real in an unpretentious way..."It is like if Crowe didn't write it as he saw it, it would be bogus and then the movie would be bogus too."

I was a few years out of high school when this came out, and really hit close to home for me. After I saw it, I looked up some of my old friends, most of them also saw it too, and we said to each other, "that's us!"

Many of the characters were a lot like the people I went to school with. I knew my share of stoners, studs, and girls who getting guys wasn't the biggest hang up in their life. Even today, I can sit, and watch this and I get fond memories of my old friends, and the fun we used to have.

This was made during the post-disco, pre-greed era of the 80s that was far too short. I'm surprised to find out this movie is still popular considering it is far from being politically correct. I'll admit, I wouldn't want my kids to some of the things these high school kids did, but it is a reminder how much fun the era was.

This movie is one of my all time 80s favorites. All kinds of stars in this one. Totally depicts high school teens in the early 80s Fur Shure! Lots of comedy - little bit of drama - whole lot of sex. Sean Penn as the stoner surfer dude is the funniest role in his career. Phoebe Cates , was just becoming a known star. Jennifer Jason Leigh totally looks her part as a teen virgin and you can also see Nancy Wilson (guitarist of the band HEART) here in her tiny cameo role. Love this early 80s classic.Own it.Learn it. Live it...

This is a cult classic and a well deserved one. Lots of laughs and highlight moments.

But to be honest I think of this movie as I was as a young teenager, watching what I at the time, considered the greatest scene in movie history.

Phoebe Cates climbing out of a swimming pool!

Just by the 1st scene, I knew I will be thrilled by this movie: the 80s, a mall (for me a place of constant happiness, even without buying), teens and their n° 1 care: relationships! Frankly, compared to my french experience, those high scholars had everything to be happy, enjoy every moment of this time and maybe later feel deeply nostalgic about it…

Maybe the movie is not accurate for every one, but i see that those teens had their personal room in family houses > in France, we lived all together in old, decaying buildings! Their study seems light (MCQ) > in France, we are in high school for 40 hours by week, almost like a job, with a lot of studies, papers, exercises to learn after the bell! Students come to schools in car, even if they are wreck > In France, we take fully loaded public transports! So at the end, in America, people have space and intimacy while in France it's hard to have such control… In addition, the movies happens in the 80s so that means that there were exciting music (ever heard about melodies?), cool clothes (there is something else than G-string for girls and sportswear for boys)… Finally, the cast is awesome because it's a class of future Hollywood big names and with what they do here, you can understand: Jenny is particularly moving in her discovery path, Penn is unrecognizable in the dunce, the Rat embodies that at the end good heart wins over good look, etc…

So instead of being the usual crazy comedy involving teens, this one is really focused about realistic slices of life and that's why it's so interesting and gripping. It's a sort of American Graffiti, 20 years later!

I'm not a fan of the teenage/high school genre, which seems to be a uniquely American thing. Thus I approached this with some trepidation and whilst my worst fears were not confirmed I remain unconvinced about the genre.

There is little by way of plot; just a few months in the lives of the characters who range across the usual types to be found in this type of film. As with teen movies the focus is firmly on the males - they are the only ones allowed any variation of character. The girls always seem to be the same one-dimensional cardboard cutouts whilst the males are allowed to range from crazy to lazy and nerdish to pervish. In particular, the scenes immediately before and after a visit to the abortion clinic suggest that undergoing such a process leaves no physical or mental scars and is about on a par with a visit to the dentist for a check-up. Thus it's fair to say that the film is sexist - surprising given that it's directed by a woman.

On the upside there are some good lines - particularly the comment about romance in Ridgemont: "In Ridgemont? It's not even easy to get cable TV in Ridgemont" (or something like that). And Sean Penn makes the whole thing tolerable.

Is age and generation something to do with appreciating this type of film? I am a great fan of "American Graffiti" - it's more or less my generation. And why did I find myself rooting for Mr Hand in his battle with Scipoli?! I tend to follow Roger Ebert's and James Berardinelli's reviews and it's interesting to compare them on this film as they usually tend to have similar reactions. Berardinelli was fine with it seeing it as a reflection of his own generation, whilst Ebert hated it. And, of course, Ebert is from a much earlier generation.

If you have 90 minutes and time is hanging heavy then you could do worse (unless, I suspect, you are an American at high school in the eighties in which case you'll probably appreciate it much more).

Pass the zimmer frame, nurse.

I was there. Clairemont High San Diego. Close depiction of the real thing. I was so innocent and clean cut. Bummer for me. But the characters were spot on. The music was the best. Mr. Hand was a teacher by a different name and he was, well let's just say he was different. He had a sculpted figure of an eagle with spread wings hung on the wall above and behind him. It looked menacing for sure. So many of the events depicted in the movie happened. The names were changed to protect the innocent, and the guilty too. Even the businesses and places we hung out and worked at were depicted pretty accurately. This is only the umpteenth time I've watched this movie, but it never gets old. I can't remember most of the names of the real people depicted in the movie. Probably best that way.

This film offers a decent viewing experience, particularly if you're a fan of Phoebe Cates; otherwise, it falls into the category of entirely passable cinema. In all honesty, the movie follows the typical tropes of high school films from its era, neither aiming to be groundbreaking nor requiring such aspirations. It finds its place as a lighthearted watch, particularly enjoyable with friends, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression.

While some moments of the cinematography offer intriguing visuals, it's challenging to lavish excessive praise on this film. In summary, it falls into the "alright" category, a movie that provides a casual and entertaining viewing experience without venturing into memorable territory.

Rating: Weak 6.

People talk about 'Fast Times At Ridgemont High' being the representative slice-of-life teen comedy for the early 1980s in the same way 'American Graffiti' depicts the early 1960s and 'Dazed And Confused' the mid-70s. 'Fast Times' deserves special kudos because it came out when the times in question were still taking place - in fact 'Fast Times' would go on to define its era as the must-see comedy for those who made up the movie's subject matter back in late '82 and early '83.

Here's my problem: It's not much of a comedy. Sure, it has funny moments, but it's very downbeat too much of the time. The two main female characters, played by Jennifer Jason-Leigh (Stacy) and Phoebe Cates (Linda), give solid performances but have hardly a true laugh between them, other than Cates' simple action of opening a door. The male characters have their funny scenes, too, but in-between acts of such casual cruelty and harshness that it really doesn't compensate. Here's something to ponder: The funniest performance in this film is by a guy whose only other comedies were 'Shanghai Surprise' and 'We're No Angels.' Sean Penn is very good as Spicoli, but he's got the one character you are encouraged to laugh at, him and Ray Walston's Mr. Hand, of course, both hilarious. 'Jefferson was saying if we don't get some cool rules pronto, we'll be bogus, too!' When they aren't in the film, my attention drifts. As a comedy, it's alternately funny and flailing. As a drama, this is an afterschool special with swear words and nudity.

'Fast Times' is fun to watch simply for the time-capsule elements. Writer Cameron Crowe really had his ear to the ground as he took measure of a LA-area high school in the guise of a student, and director Amy Heckerling has a clearly sympathetic understanding for the tribal rites of the young. The score is warmed-over '70s mellow guitar rock already past its prime, but offers great songs, none better than Jackson Browne's last great hit, 'Somebody's Baby,' which had its first release on the 'Fast Times' soundtrack (and might be subtitled 'Stacey's Sex Theme' as it shows up whenever she gets it on.) Heckerling doesn't gloss up the sex (the first such scene takes place in a grimy concrete bunker with the memorable graffito 'Surf Nazis' over Stacy's head), and that's to her credit. The film's grittiness works in this way for me because the early '80s seem on retrospect a less innocent time than the earlier eras depicted in the other teen films, the first time in which sex between young people could be truly casual while traditional religious and social strictures seemed to fall mute. In that way, she hits the right notes.

But Heckerling accepts this casualness to the point of promulgating it. We see Stacy unabashedly learning about oral sex with a carrot and getting an abortion in which her main source of pain seems to be about getting a ride and money from the guy who knocked her up. With AIDS just around the corner, and a host of moral issues surrounding unbridled sex among minors, I find myself wanting to scream at the screen like Mr. Hand: 'What are you people, on dope?'

That's a personal issue a lot of 'Fast Times' viewers won't join me in feeling. What I think is a broader problem is the shallowness of the story lines and the characters, how lacking in deeper resonance they are. As Heckerling points out in her joint DVD commentary with Crowe, Mark (Rat) Ratner is someone who finds sex as difficult as others find trigonometry. He's a nerd, and I can relate, so how is it the attractive, sexually active Stacey chooses him and seeks a relationship with him? Hot girls don't chase nerds, simple as that. The film might have tried to flesh out this relationship and offer some explanation why else she likes him other than his awkward smile, his obvious desire, and his willingness to offer her some encouragement after Mr. Vargas' morgue demonstration, but you are left with a couple of half-finished, awkward conversations and the sense that they had to wind up together because they are the lead actors.

'Fast Times' is a fun film to watch, but thin as the soles on a pair of checkered loafers. It's the definitive teen film of its time, but 'Valley Girl' and 'Sixteen Candles' have better narratives, 'The Breakfast Club' more interesting characters, and 'Last American Virgin' a stronger ending. If it was just Sean Penn and Ray Walston sitting at Perry's Pizza for ninety minutes, in a sort of 'My Dinner With Spicoli,' I think 'Fast Times' would have been more fun.

A fast-paced film with its share of laughs, Fast Times also takes time to sensitively handle many of the tough issues teens face. Abortion, trust, abandonment and sexual fears are all dealt with fairly and believably. An interesting snapshot into the world of teenagers--the great thing about this film is that it's not too stereotypically Californian. It could have been set anywhere in Canada or USA and still have been just as accurate. In addition, there are many scenes that will just have you doubled over with laughter--the carrot scene, as well as the interaction between rebel Sean Penn and angry Mr.Hand are just fantastic.

This isn't a deep film, nor is it thought provoking. Instead, it's a fun, slightly naughty and quite honest depiction of life back in the 1980s, when having fun was the norm ... as was taking people as you found them.

Watching this for the first time in 2021 reminds me of how humourless we have become and how rigid we make our children, as if the hollow "moral superiority" of the last 10 years is genuine and beneficial.

I would recommend this film for any parent with children in their late teens, or anyone in their late teens who isn't woke. We should remind kids that it's ok to let your hair down and have fun. If you are politically correct, avoid this film at all costs as it involves kids having fun and having sexual encounters in reasonably genuine circumstances.

All round good acting. Amy Heckerling's excellent debut directing of a feature film.

Saw this film for the first time when I was 12. (Yea, I know, too young) Just freaking love it. I have lost count how many times I've seen it. I will watch it everytime it's on tv. Sometimes more than once a day if it's on one of those lazy channels that repeats films a dozen times a week. Judge Reinhold is great. Sean Penn is hilarious. Eric & Anthony! Jennifer! And Phoebe Kates. She was always so beautiful. She's great in a tv mini series called Lace. Forrest Whitaker! The cast is beyond fantastic. The music! Just finished watching it again! Nicolas Cage! Sorry I'm all over the place. I can't express how much I love this film.

What began life as an undercover writing assignment for enfant terrible Cameron Crowe (a baby-faced 20-something who went back to high school impersonating a student) becomes a surprisingly observant comedy about modern-day Southern California high schoolers, their after-class jobs and boy-girl relations. Early shot at the Sherman Oaks Galleria, with the camera scanning the rear-ends of the video-playing kids in their designer jeans, shows an almost-documentary feel for teen life. Director Amy Heckerling relishes these little throwaway moments, excelling with her attentive eyes and ears, but eventually the 'plot' kicks in...and the movie's satiric juice leaks out. The characters, while not stereotypes, are fairly one-dimensional. Heckerling keeps most of the talented young cast low-keyed, blasé, with only Sean Penn able to carve out a colorful impersonation of a perpetually-high surfer dude named Spicoli. These kids and their sexual foibles are almost made to look like bad examples until the celebratory finale, when everything ends happily. Phoebe Cates and Jennifer Jason Leigh create a relaxed, lived-in friendship that seems to go back a ways, and Judge Reinhold does fine work as a teenage veteran of fast food jobs. As the one adult we spend the most time with, Ray Walston acquits himself nicely as incredulous teacher Mr. Hand, who allows a pizza into his classroom but won't let the buyer, Spicoli, have a piece. Ah, the poetic justice of the oldster set!

This movie is a classic. it is such a classic, that when people use the word 'classic' to describe a movie, the benchmark for that distinction should be something which stems from this movie. ironically, 'classic' is a slang term i would expect to come right out of the mouth of SPICOLI, the movie's lovable surfer/stoner whose performance was only grazed and approximated by BRAD PITT in TRUE ROMANCE. but i digress.

the most important thing about this movie to me, and it's been a number of years since i've seen it, is what lies between the lines. CROWE is an awesome writer. the character DAMONE spouts one liners about chicks and broads like he's been getting' it on since kindergarten. but an acute eye will notice a new swagger to his walk the day after his pool house romp with STACY, which anyone who's ever lost their virginity will tell you can only mean one thing. Did anyone catch this was his first time?

and then there's LINDA BARRETT, who is allegedly dating a 40 year old pilot or something and pedantically informs STACY that their love-making sessions typically last about 45 minutes and they always climax together. am i the only person who recognizes that she has never had sex and has learned everything she thinks she knows from the pages of COSMOPOLITAN?

If it's been a while since you've indulged, you should watch this movie again. hell, I should watch this movie again -- if only to find other brilliant subtle aspects which permeate what is possibly the most quintessential high school movie of all times. how cool would it be to have the distinction of having been a part of such a thing? my hat is off to you CAMERON, and AMY HECKERLING as well (along with all the on-screen talent). Perhaps it requires the sensitivity of a female director to convey the discreet nuances of what appears on the surface to be an otherwise obvious movie, giving it depth, and vaulting it to the esteemed level of a CLASSIC everyone should see.

Now that this film is forty (40) years old and we the original audience are mostly senior citizens (as is the cast) we obviously expect a bit more for our entertainment dollar(s). Don't expect a deep story line from Fast Times at Ridgemont High or any Academy Award acting. This film was delivered to compete with the camp comedies of the era such as (1978) Animal House, (1979) Meatballs, (1979) Rock 'n' Roll High School, and (1981) Porky's.

It will not disappoint if the aforementioned films are in your film library favorites. But as for this senior citizen, it wasn't memorable the first couple of times that I watched the film when it was first released in 1982, and some forty (40) years later I am actually very surprised it achieved recognition by being released via the Criterion Collection.

I give it an okay but nothing special IMDb rating of 6 out of 10.

If I was so depressed I needed to watch a good funny movie to get me out of it and I could choose one movie in all the world it very might be be this one. Fast Times is such a darn great classic that I've almost not wanted to comment because what could I possibly say to do it justice?

Anybody growing up in the early 80's has probebly heard of this and most have seen it(though I actually know some who HAVEN'T!!). In fact most people in the world have probebly heard of it, its pretty legendary. Fast times is the ultimate, the ULTIMATE and alltime best high school movie.And many of the "child stars" in this have gone on to become superstars, particularly Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

I've probebly viewed this movie more often then almost any other and as I've grown up my enthusiasm hasn't dimmed-even at parties-many times its-"lets watch FAST TIMES AT RICHMOND HIGH". It's the ultimate fun movie.

The only other teen movie that I think is as good as this is "Clerks" but Fast Times to me still kind of beats it, because its so much a part of history I can't even remember where I was when I first saw it-it's sort of always been there and personifes the good time high school party movie-even if high school wasn't exactly like that much of the time-well this IS the movies...LOL.

But who HASN'T known a "spicoli" in their time? Or a "stasy"? Or even A Mr Hand??!! I sure have-I think possibly my favorite was Stasy's brother Brad, he was so QUIETLY comedic he made the movie!!

I would love to see a part two of this-the fast times kids as adults-in the business world!!! Married with kids! Oh man what a trip that would be and I'm sure it would sell a few million tickets at least-why haven't they done it yet?

Seriously, even though the kids look younger and younger to me each time I view this, (which only shows how much OLDER I'm getting!)Fast Times remains an ultimate favorite of myself and just about everyone else I know who's seen it. Hey Mike got any blue oyster cult tickets??!!

The classic case of a film that is very much of its time but yet can still have an impact on generations to come. I've been recommended this film by so many people from the age of early 30's to early 50's. Just like The Graduate in the generation before it and for my generation Superbad, Fast Times doesn't have a deep plot or huge character development, but it showcases a moment in time for a group of high schoolers who are into sex, drugs, and rock n roll. I can't say I felt a great connection to any one particular character but the iconic scenes and quotes are undeniable, Sean Penn is electric, Ray Walston plays a perfect jerk teacher, and Phoebe Cates is memorable (to say the least). This film only displays slices of high school life, but Cameron Crowe's script feels far more real than something that may come out in 2018. The genuine production is something to strive for.

7.6/10

If you're into movies like Dazed & Confused,Stoned Age,Over the Edge,Foxes,etc,this will be right up your alley. Seen this over 20 times,and yet certain scenes still remain funny after so many viewings. For instance the "swimming pool" scene is one of the funniest in film history,and will remain funny for a very very longtime. Judge Reinhold is a legend!!!!

This is a great coming of age movie. Just as *Lost Highway *paved the way for *Mulholland Drive *and as *Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels *did for *Snatch*, *Fast Times *did the same for *Dazed and Confused*, despite having different directors. They're both coming-of-age stoner comedies centered around a varying group of high school students, but mostly centered around a select few. The entire film is a slice of life and anecdotal, just showing things happening at Ridgemont High School and drama and relationships between characters. Overall, the greatest part of the film is my love/hate relationship with Damone and the lovability of our favorite surfer/stoner Spicoli. I wouldn't call it tremendous, but rather a fun movie. It's got an excellent cast that spearheaded the careers of many famous actors and it's an early example of a female-directed film, which is hard to come by. The most important part of *Fast Times at Ridgemont High *is how important it is as a predecessor for coming-of-age dramedies.