Review of Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) by Russell G — 20 Jan 2012

This movie re-sets the standard for an honest movie about the high-school teen experience. It has had several imitators and movies that took influence from this iconic 80â(TM)s classic, but this one continues to stand out.

There really is not a plot to speak of; it is more of a series of snapshots of various California high school students who hang out at malls, surf, drink, have sex, work crappy jobs, date, go to class and break up.

There are some truly memorable moments that make this movie deserving of its cult classic status. It has the immortalized steamy daydream with the Phoebe Cates coming out of the pool, which is one of the sexiest movie moments of all time.

I also particularly loved Spicoliâ(TM)s ongoing rivalry with his terrible no nonsense history teacher, Mr. Hand. It makes you laugh more than you might think and is not just a disposable teen movie.