Review of Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) by Issac L — 08 Apr 2012

This is a rare variety of Hollywood teen farce has aged pretty well since its birth 25 years ago, written and directed by the late John Hughes, it is a witty and awful jolly comedy without any vulgar intention like AMERICAN PIE franchise and heralds Hughes' later triumph of the astronomically sensational HOME ALONE (1994).

At the stage of adolescent rebellion, highschooler Ferris Bueller is against the grain and aptly jostles between his wide-eyed parents and the staidly villainous school principle (safely inside the comedic zone though), he is the paragon from all kinds of aspects (save for his overshadowed sister), so hymning the free spirit under the milieu of 80s, no wonder its evocation and novelty was such a blockbuster during its cinema runs.

There are numerous gags in the film, mostly benevolent but virtually diverting, while the narrative also nurses a plausible character development, the contrast between Ferris and his bro Cameron is plausibly enacted, but a graceful and underage exemplary girlfriend Mia Sara has barely her own lines and scenes to show her wisdom other than "just being there prettily". The film's apex achieves when Ferris staggering showcase his dance routine of The Beatle's TWIST AND SHOUT during the parade, Matthew Broderick is unparalleled and glistening in the leading role brought him to an instant stardom elevation.

One just cannot help being nostalgic after watching this film since nowadays in the mainstream track, youngsters are pandered and reveled only in raunchy stench of coarseness and crassness, the good ole days are bygone with the premature demise of Mr. Hughes. All the social ethics and aesthetics spin faster than we generally expected, being reminiscent of these timeless cream from time to time is a stroke of luck which is not exclusively in the hands of cinemagoes.