Field Dispatch
Matt Connarton Unleashed: Erich Pilcher reviews Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Oh, up in the sky. What's the matter, what's wrong? What's
wrong? For Christ's sake? Look at him, honey, Farris. He
doesn't have a fever, but he says his stomach hurts and he's seeing spots.
What's the matter of Ferris? Papa, Honey, Feever's hands? They're
cold and clammy. I'm fine, I get it. No, No,
I have a test to it. I have to take it. I want
to go to a good college so I can have a fruitful life. Honey,
You're not going to school like this now? Oh fine, what's this?
What's his problem? He doesn't feel well? Yeah? Right, dry
that one out. You can fertilize the lawn. Genie, is that you,
Geenie? I can't see that far, Geenie. Jeanie, I bite
the big ones Jr. Thank you, Jeanie. You get to school.
Wait, you're letting him stay home. I can't believe this. If I
was bleeding out my eyes, you guys would make me go to school.
This is so unfair. Genie. Please don't be upset with me. You
have your health. Be thankful. Oh that's it. I want out of
this family. I'm okay. I'll just sleep. Maybe I have an aspen
around noon. I'm showing some houses to that family from Vermont today, so
I'll be in the area now. That office will know just where I am.
If you need me, okay, okay, I'll check on your two
pall. It's it's nice to know that I have such love and caring parents.
You're both very special people. You get better, Pumpkin. I'll be
home at six shot. If you need anything, I love you. Swee
and me me, me, me me all if you need is they bought
it skip day playing hooky. No matter what you call it is one of
the greatest joys anyone can have. To have a free day to do whatever
you want is something as adults we strive for. In his kids we yearned
for. There are many films that depict this, but one shows a young
man that truly takes advantage of his day off, all in one of the
greatest metropolitan areas in the United States. Directed by teen film maestro John Hughes,
Ferris Bueller's Day Off was released in nineteen eighty six and stars Matthew Broderick
as the titular character, Ferris Bueller, a crafty high school senior that wants
a day off to enjoy with his girlfriend Sloan played by Mia Sarah and neurotic
friend Cameron Frye Alan Rock before graduation. While enjoying everything downtown Chicago has to
offer, such as the Chicago Institute of Art, a Cubs game at Wrigley
Field, in even a parade, the threesome must stay ahead of Ferris's parents
and their high school principle, the swarmy ad Rooney. The introductory clip sets
the stage for this film. What makes the character Ferris so endearing is his
breaking the fourth wall, that is him looking at the camera and talking to
us the audience. This tactic has been used in teen movies and television shows
since, most notably Saved by the Bell. Our next clip is an example
of this. Ferris explains his rules for faking sick in how to get your
parents to fall for it. This scene also shows us Ferris's unique worldview and
his art of getting out of school incredible. One of the worst performances of
my career, and they never doubted it for a second. How could I
possibly be expected to handle school in a day like this? This is my
ninth sick day this semester. It's getting pretty tough coming up with new illnesses.
If I go for ten, I'm probably gonna have to barf up along,
so I better make this one count. The key to faking out the
parents is the clammy hands. It's a good nonspecific symptom. I'm a big
believer in it. A lot of people will tell you that a good phony
fever is a deadlock. But you get a nervous mother, you could wind
up in a doctor's office. That's worse than school. You fake a stomach
cramp, and when you're bent over, moaning and wailing, you lick your
proms. It's a little childish and stupid, but then so is high school.
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in
a while, you could miss it. I do have a test today that
wasn't full. It's on European socialism. I mean, really, what's the
point. I'm not European. I don't plan on being European, so who
gives a crap? If they're socialists, they can be fascist anarchists. Still
wouldn't change the fact that I don't own a car. I recall central parking
dress. What a message? Not confessed that or any ism for that matter,
isms, in my opinion, are not good. A person should not
believe in it is he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon,
I don't believe in Beatles. I just believe in me. A good point
there. After all, he was the Waas I could be the Walris.
I'd still have to boom riots up with people. So many times on this
program I have said a film needs a good villain, and comedies are no
different. This film's villain is Edward Rooney, the dean of students that makes
it his mission to make an example out of the lovable slacker that is Ferris.
In our next clip, we hear Rooney describe what Ferris could do to
the student body to his dim witted secretary played by Edie mcclurk. She tells
him exactly what he is up against, and it's easy to see that even
she loves Ferris in a way. I don't trust this kid any further than
I can throw him. Well, with your bad need, you shouldn't throw
anybody, That's true. What is so dangerous about a character like Ferris Bueller
is he gives good kids bad ideas. Uh huh. Last thing I need
at this point in my career is fifteen hundred Ferris Bueller disciples running around these
halls. He jeopardizes my ability to effectively govern this student body. Well,
makes you look like an ass is what he does. D thank you,
Grace. I think you're wrong. Oh well, he's very popular ed the
sportos and motor hits, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids do we be?
They all adore it. They think he's a righteous dude. That is
why I have got to catch him this time, to show these kids that
the example he sets is a first class ticket room nowhere. Oh Dad,
you sounded like dirty Harry just then, Relliant uh huh. I mentioned in
the opening of this review that Ferris has a neurotic friend, Cameron Fry.
To me, Cameron is one of the most memorable characters in any teen movie.
In this film, it becomes obvious that Ferris does really care for him
and wants to see him break the chains of his neurosis in negative worldview.
Our final two clips of this review show their relationship. First, Ferris calls
Cameron, who is legitimately sick, to come in enjoy the day with him,
and then Ferris calls him again. In the middle of the second call,
Ferris is checked on by his father on the other line. We then
hear Ferris's shrewdness in keeping up the guise of his being sick. Hello,
carababe, what's happening? Very little? How do you feel shredded? Is
your mother in her room? She's indicator. Unfortunately she's not staying. Where
are you? I'm taking a day off, and they get dressed and come
on over. You can't scare that I'm sick, that's all in your head.
Come on over. I feel like complete Chris. I can't go anywhere.
I'm sorry to hear that. The come on over here and pick me
up. You're not dying. You just can't think of anything good to do.
If anybody needs a day off, it's Cameron. He has a lot
of things to sort out before he graduates. Can't be wound up this titan
go to college his room, it'll kill him. When Cameron was in Egypt's
land, let my Cameron. Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight
that if you stuck a lump of coal up his in two weeks you have
a diamond. And now Farris's second call, I'm serious, man, This
is ridiculous making me wait around the house for you. Why can't you let
me rot in peace? Cameron? This is my ninth sick day. If
I get caught, I won't graduate. I'm not doing this for me,
I'm doing it for you. Do you know what my diostolic is? Be
a man, Take some pepto bismal, get dressed, and come on over
here. I'm tired of this stuff. Shut up. Hold your water for
a second. I got another call. Oh barres Hi, you sound terrible,
really darn. I thought I was improving. Were you sleeping? Dad?
Can you hang on for a second? Sure, Pal, hang on,
Cameron, it's my dad. Oh great, keep me out of it.
If you're not over here in fifteen minutes, you can find a new
best friend. You've been staying that since the fifth grade. Dad. Now,
all this talking has made me kind of light headed. I think I
had to lie down, take a hot bath, and then wrap a hot
towel around your head, wrap a hot towel around my head, and then
make yourself some soup. Got a nap? Okay? Okay? Hey Fairs,
Yeah, love your pal, I love you too. I'm so disappointed
in Cameron twenty bucks says he's sitting in his car debating about whether or not
he should go out. You'll keep calling me. You'll keep calling me until
I come on. You'll make me feel guilty. There's this is ridiculous.
Okay, i'll go, I'll go, I'll go, I'll go, I'll
go with I'll go. God, damn it, forget it. That's it.
Oh. This film is one of the most highly regarded teen comedies of
all time. Roger Ebert gave it three out of four stars. It is
Richard Roper's favorite film, so much so the license played on his car is
sv F E R I s or say ferris, a homage to what was
on the water tower in the film. The reason is because this film isn't
raunchy means spirited or insulting. It is a good, clean, heartwarming comedy.
Filmgoers agreed with critics. It was the tenth highest grossing film of nineteen
eighty six, generating over seventy million dollars in ticket sales. It spawned a
short lived, way less heralded NBCTV series that featured Jennifer Aniston. It was
canceled after thirteen episodes. Among very low ratings. Despite this, the film
is one of the most beloved comedies in cinema history. Everything I just listed
about the good natured humor of this film, coupled with excellent performances, great
direction by John Hughes, immemorable cameos from Ben Stein and Charlie Sheen, make
this a true comedy classic and one that is a must see no matter who
you are, no matter where you're at. I guarantee you will find a
smile on your face after viewing this film. I hope you join me next
week when in honor of Veterans Day, we look at Oliver Stone's biopic A
Vietnam War veteran turned back to this ron Kovic in the film form on the
fourth of July or W M and H in Matt Connor Knumbination and this has
been a classic film. You don't ye before? Yeah it a b yeah,
that's such a big chi chi bun the out o the boon beautiful so
you word yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah out oh ch
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