Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Great Classic Movie
Sean Penn saying "Hey, dude" is enough reason to watch this gem. I'm currently reading the Fast Times at Ridgemont High book and the movie is soooo close! It's fun to see Nic Cage, Judge Reinhold (after Stripes), Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eric Stoltz, Forest Whitaker and more before they became famous. Yes, it touches on sensitive subjects, but overall, it isn't smutty or dirty as others such as Porky's and such have mastered. It's touching and you root for everyone, even Damone.

Take a couple hours off and remember or find out what the late '70s/early '80s really were like!

Not the best teen comedy.
Fast Times at Ridgement High is a bit over-rated probably because of all the nudity and sex but the cast makes up for the rauchiness. Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nicolas Cage, and Forest Whitaker have great roles in this comedy and Amy Heckerling is a fun and modern director but this movie doesn't stay with me for some reason. Ray Walston is hilarious as the teacher, his banter with Sean Penn is my favorite part. This movie is good but not great, just watch it for Sean Penn's airhead loving performance.

Dated, but Still the Best High School Movie Ever Made
Look past what people were wearing in this movie. There is no better high school comedy out there. The cast is ridiculously stacked with successful actors. Nicholas Cage and Eric Stoltz were basically extras as was Forest Whitaker. Sean Penn was absolutely amazing. I'm surprised he was ever able to do anything that wasn't Jeff Spicoli. He became that character and is lucky he wasn't type cast for the rest of his career.

What makes this movie really work is that it never treated high schoolers like they were idiots. Sure, there was the usual high school stupidity, but it was the stuff we've all seen in real life but presented with a great sense of humor. Cameron Crowe wrote a fantastic story, and Amy Heckerling worked it to perfection. Young people who haven't seen this movie need to check it out. Those of us not so young people need to watch it to remind us what problems face today's young people. Most of all, everyone should watch it for the laughter.