The 80s. What a cool decade. I love how bright everything was, at least in the movies. Clothes were flashy, hair was puffy and music was cheesy, and all this in a real fun way. As for movies, the decade was one of the most memorable. The most representative films are undoubtedly the high school comedies, because that’s where style is most present. I mean, a business man from the 80s is kinda similar to one from nowadays, while teenagers are way different, fashion wise at least. If there was one quintessential director in the 80s, it was John Hughes, and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is one of his most iconic films.
Ferris is a cool, funny and smart high schooler with more than one trick up his sleeve. On one particularly lovely day, he decides to skip school and go for a wild ride around Chicago. He takes with him his best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck), a neurotic young man who lacks self-confidence, and Sloane (Mia Sara), his beautiful girlfriend. The trio spends all day having big wholesome fun while avoiding getting caught by Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), the school principal.
Hughes’ screenplay is inventive and hilarious from start to end. The characters are fun and the dialogue is sharp. Hughes’ direction is also pretty damn great. Hughes had the brilliant idea of having Feris commen the action to the camera, breaking the fourth wall. It gives the film a really irreverent feel.
The plot is simple, but it ain’t pointless. Cameron really grows during the film, as Ferris convinces him that he shouldn’t be so scared of his dad. The movie is also filled with awesome scenes. One of the most memorable scene takes place during a German-American parade. Ferris jumps aboard a float and starts singing “Twist and Shout” while practically the whole town is dancing to the tune. Good stuff.