IMDb RATING
5.6/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
A spoiled rich young man hires a young hustler, who lives in a broken car and owes money to a dicey loan shark, to take his place in his elite prep school and graduate for him.A spoiled rich young man hires a young hustler, who lives in a broken car and owes money to a dicey loan shark, to take his place in his elite prep school and graduate for him.A spoiled rich young man hires a young hustler, who lives in a broken car and owes money to a dicey loan shark, to take his place in his elite prep school and graduate for him.
Andrew Dice Clay
- Dice
- (as Andrew Clay)
Dan Schneider
- Blimp
- (as Daniel Schneider)
Lucile Doan Ewing
- Mrs. Hoover
- (as Lucille Ewing)
Featured reviews
Making the Grade is not only an OK comedy, it gives a name to a person who once was a Sylvester Stallone look alike from Brooklyn. This man is Andrew Clay, who gets a role in this movie named Dice, who would later take Dice and make it his nick name. But enough about him, this film is also a good teen comedy (not the best by far) and I liked Judd Nelson as the lead (still a bad-ass). A-
I am a fan of 80s teen movies, as there were so many that were so good. However, this is no "Breakfast Club" which I think can be called the best 80s teen movie ever made. Judd Nelson is hot, but the flick is poorly directed and the sound is pretty bad. The characters are foolish at times- how is it Eddie goes from being ok with who he is to being a snob in about three scenes? I don't know. Cheesy? Most definitely. However, 80s teen movies are 80s teen movies. If you like them, see this, but don't expect one of the caliber of TBC.
You have to take this movie for what it is and when it was released. The characters are likable and the dialogue doesn't try too hard to be funny; it just is.
Granted, some of the appeal may be nostalgic at this point; it's hard to imagine how this looks to a first-time viewer today. OK, some parts are bound to be ridiculous; there is a break-dancing scene and accompanying music that are hopelessly dated... then again break-dancing does appear to be making a comeback.
I'm not a huge Andrew Dice Clay fan, but this movie is where the "Diceman" character originated.
The actor who plays Palmer Woodrow wrote the movie The Burbs, as it turns out.
Granted, some of the appeal may be nostalgic at this point; it's hard to imagine how this looks to a first-time viewer today. OK, some parts are bound to be ridiculous; there is a break-dancing scene and accompanying music that are hopelessly dated... then again break-dancing does appear to be making a comeback.
I'm not a huge Andrew Dice Clay fan, but this movie is where the "Diceman" character originated.
The actor who plays Palmer Woodrow wrote the movie The Burbs, as it turns out.
SEE Judd Nelson break-dance! SEE Andrew "Dice" Clay before he got more famous and less funny! SEE what ALL '80s teen comedies were like, more or less!
"Making the Grade". Let's see... basically, a loser student (Olsen) pays off another loser (Nelson) to pretend to be him so he can pass his classes and graduate (for some inheritance or something, I don't know - this is not one of those movies that celebrate the joys of higher learning).
And, of course, all the hips trends of 1984 are there for you to drink in till you're positively drunk from all the flash, trash and splash of the Gimmie Decade. Not just the aforementioned break-dancing display, but also some of the tackiest clothes you've seen since your last garage sale, an almost ALL synthesizer sound track and a Brat Packer!
If you love the '80s, you gotta catch "Making the Grade". Not for the story, mind you...just for "the experience".
Five stars. "Making the Grade" - barely passing, needs work on its social skills, recommend less time around the Diceman.
"Making the Grade". Let's see... basically, a loser student (Olsen) pays off another loser (Nelson) to pretend to be him so he can pass his classes and graduate (for some inheritance or something, I don't know - this is not one of those movies that celebrate the joys of higher learning).
And, of course, all the hips trends of 1984 are there for you to drink in till you're positively drunk from all the flash, trash and splash of the Gimmie Decade. Not just the aforementioned break-dancing display, but also some of the tackiest clothes you've seen since your last garage sale, an almost ALL synthesizer sound track and a Brat Packer!
If you love the '80s, you gotta catch "Making the Grade". Not for the story, mind you...just for "the experience".
Five stars. "Making the Grade" - barely passing, needs work on its social skills, recommend less time around the Diceman.
If any of you remember John Bender from The Breakfast Club, then Eddie Keaton of Making the Grade will seem familiar. They are similar, except that John Bender has more depth. Making the Grade is a silly, sometimes funny, parody of the "Preppy" Lifestyle. It makes fun of everything from wearing no socks, to the bright, peppy colors. It's an all around funny movie. This is Judd's first movie, and I recommend it to all of you who enjoy his work. For those of you who don't, I suggest you watch it anyway, and make an opinion for yourself...! *+*Anna*+*
Did you know
- TriviaThe movie's epilogue states: "Palmer and Eddie will be back in Tourista. Coming Soon." So the end of the picture informs the audience to "watch out" for a sequel coming soon. This is featured just before the closing credits. The producers intended to make a sequel titled "The Tourista" with Judd Nelson's character returning. But due to the poor performance at the box office they scrapped the idea.
- GoofsWhen Eddie is throwing rocks at his girlfriend's window, all of his dialogue is dubbed in as his lips don't move once, all while facing the camera.
- Quotes
Palmer Woodrow: What do you recommend?
Caddy: Lessons.
Palmer Woodrow: I meant what club, wise-ass?
Caddy: Aah, if I were you, I'd stick to kicking.
Palmer Woodrow: If you were me, you wouldn't be a caddy.
- Crazy creditsPalmer and Eddie will return in Tourista Coming Soon
- ConnectionsFeatures Les enchaînés (1946)
- SoundtracksLiving on the Edge
Music and Lyrics by Larry Frankland Lee and Shandi Sinnamon (as Shandi)
Performed by Shandi Sinnamon (as Shandi)
Produced by Larry Frankland Lee for Swan Productions
- How long is Making the Grade?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,561,346
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,760,856
- May 20, 1984
- Gross worldwide
- $4,561,346
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