Review of Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) by Mike C — 29 May 2010

I think it is a general rule that the 80s provided the worst movies and music. Given the 1982 production of this movie, it's already in hot water. I watched because Mr. Skin rates the pool scene as the No. 1 nude scne of all time. If not for a few solid performances, it fails miserably. The story, culture, and filler is all very cheesy. This can largely be attributed to the decade, but they didn't have to make everything overboard and cliche.

Penn and Leigh give the best performances. Funny to see Penn in such a role given the way he went in the last 10 years. I happen to like him, but this is a total 180. Leigh is just solid and believable, and I might add sexy. Cates is certainly attractive, but Mr. Skin is way off the mark. In just this movie alone, Leigh has better nude scenes.

With such a cast, trivia is abound. Cates went on to marry Kevin Kline...great. I happen to be a big fan of his. Whittaker gets an early role, and look closely as Nic Cage gets about two seconds of camera in this one. Also funny to see Eric Stoltz (most notably from Pulp Fiction many years later) and Anthony Edwards (Nerds, ER) as stoners.

Ebert ripped the holy hell out of the movie in 1982. It seems like he's mellowed since then. I do think he's right on mark by pointing out the film's flaws (ignorant vulgarity, sexism, etc), but still think the movie is somewhat entertaining. If nothing else, at least they got a classic nude scene out of it.