Review of Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) by Bob R — 17 Dec 2013

Fast Times at Ridgemont High is an interesting depiction of 80's high school. It doesn't just goof around like every other teen comedy there is, but shows all the real bits of teen life that the movies don't always provide much attention for. The movie really works as a sort of 'day in the life' film, as it really doesn't focus on a narrowed down plot. It really just follows the lives of multiple high schoolers of different types for a few days out of their high school tenure.

Sean Penn's role on screen is a whole lot smaller than I thought it would be. I figured he would play a more leading character, rather than a minor supporting character. Even though his character may not be the biggest part of the movie, Sean Penn is awesome as the legendary Jeff Spicoli. Not the biggest character, but easily the most remembered. There's a reason Spicoli is the film's well known posterboy.

Fast Times is a fresh, real take on high school life, that a lot of movies don't seem to get. While this is true, a few things dragged it down. This movie could have been a lot more funnier. 'Fast Times' feels a lot like a theatrical film version of Freaks and Geeks. Though not really the same, it has the same feel, and the same 'dramedy' approach. If 'Fast Times' leaned in favor of comedy, it would have definitely benefited. On that note, pure comic relief characters such as Spicoli (Penn) could have had more time on screen.

'Fast Times' provides an interesting look into the 80's high school scene, with Penn's performance as one of the highlights.