Review of Back to School (1986) by Danny R — 03 Dec 2011
A totally delightful and hilariously funny 80's mega-hit comedy, starring the late great Rodney Dangerflield who delivers a masterful laugh-out-loud comic performance that completely dominates this film as Thornton Melon a self-made multi-millionaire clothing manufacturer who has a chain of a 150 Tall & Fat stores nationwide he enrolls in his beloved son Jason's college in order to encourage him not to drop out, Jason who is superbly played by Keith Gordon is somewhat of a misfit there and is completely miserable at the school.
Dangerfield's outrageous misadventures at the college as he tries to help his son are moments of pure comic brilliance some of the highlights include Rodney's rendition of "Twist & Shout" with a local rock band and him joining the school swimming team to win a championship not mention Rodney reciting Dylan Thomas at a school oral exam, there are also heartfelt father & son moments between Dangerfield and Gordon that are quite moving, their chemistry rings true.
The supporting cast are all impeccable they include Sally Kellerman's brilliant performance as Diane Turner the sexy English teacher that Rodney falls like a rock for, a solid Burt Young as Lou, Rodney's best friend and ape-like bodyguard, a young Robert Downey Jr.
turns in a very amusing performance as Jason's oddball friend Derek Lutz, Paxton Whitehead is a hoot as Rodney's nemeses Professor Philip Barbay and Adrienne Barbeau delivers a mermorable turn as Rodney's bitch-wife from hell, the lovely Terry Farrell turns a sweet performance as Jason's love interest Valerie, William Zaba is perfect as the frat-boy asshole named Chaz, the great character actor M.
Emmet Walsh delivers a wonderful down to earth turn as swimming Coach Tumbbull, Ned Beatty is totally priceless as "Dean Martin," but special kudos must go to the late stand-up comic Sam Kinison in a brief scene-stealing role as American history Professor Terguson a shell-shocked Vietnam war veteran that has the tendency to go completely nuts in his classroom, Kinison is a laugh riot in this role.
A extremely entertaining, feel-good film with some truly classic Dangerfield one-liners but the key to this film's enormous success is that Rodney's character is so damn lovable and endearing, this film is one of my personal all-time favorite motion pictures.
Highly Recommended.
This review of Back to School (1986) was written by Danny R on 03 Dec 2011.
Back to School has generally received positive reviews.
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