Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

1986

Director: John Hughes

Writer: John Hughes

103 Minutes

When Ferris Bueller’s Day Off day landed in theaters, it wasn’t a hit. Most critics gave poor reviews and even the late Gene Siskel said, “That the film doesn't live up to our anticipation of a rolicking good time is only part of its disappointment.”

But, we all related to it.

The character of Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is someone we wanted to know, someone we wanted to be. He was cool with a beautiful girlfriend and was genuine to his best friend, Mr. Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck). Ferris said and did things we wanted to say and do. He sang “Twist and Shout” for an entire parade crowd, ate at expensive French restaurants, and caught a foul balls at Wrigley Field.

"Ferris, you’re my hero."

But, the film isn’t about Ferris Bueller. Sure, he is lovable and creative and started us on this journey away from school and into the city of Chicago, but the film is not about him. He doesn’t change. And we, as an audience, need change.

The film is about Cameron.

Cameron is a self-loathing, depressed individual who lives under the thumb of his oppressive father. And he will need Ferris Bueller to change him. And so, the first act of Cameron's defiance is stealing his father’s 1961 Ferrari GT250. And the second is ruining the 1961 Ferrari GT250.

In the scene above, Cameron, Ferris, and Sloane (Mia Sara) have returned from the city and are trying to remove the mileage from Mr. Frye’s Ferrari. When they realize the mileage isn’t coming off, Cameron expresses his angry for his father by kicking the car. Finally when it’s settled, Cameron leans on the car, which releases the lift making the car shoot out the back window, through the trees, and crashes down the hill.

Oh, shit.

Cameron knows it’s serious. And even though Ferris offers to take the heat, Cameron tells him no. He explains that him and his father will have a little chat. And that’s exactly what he needs.

Success.

That’s how Cameron’s story ends. And through him making a phony phone call to Mr. Edward Rooney, catatonically falling into a stranger's pool, and emotionally connecting with Georges Seurat’s painting ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” he is changed forever.

We could all use a friend like Ferris Bueller. Except for Ferris's sister, Jeanie (Jennifer Grey). Her only friend is a random boy in the police station.

And that boy is Charlie Sheen, still winning.