Can Films Like "Ferris Bueller" Work Today?

[TaufiqtheMuslim]

As i rewatch films like The Breakfast CLub, Sixteen Candles, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, i kept wondering: "Can it work today? They don't make 'em like this anymore!"

As a 21st century teen, I once wrote an essay for my English class on how much similiar the 80's were to the 2000s. But one thing i cannot find similiar was the teen movies of the 80's. They are so different than ours! John Hughes makes such good films like Sicteen Candles and Ferris Bueller's day off that i wish i was one of them! I wish i could skip school like Ferris! His movies are neither Political Correct, nor too realistic & depressing.

In this consumerist era of Bushism, teen movies today are either too PC like High School Musical, or too depressing like Skins. The only 21st century films that are close to John Hughes' films are Charlie Bartlett, Mean Girls, Superbad, About a Boy, Juno, TV shows like Freaks and Geeks and UK Channel 4's The Inbetweeners. But these films/tv shows did not have a "feel good" touch Hughes' films have. And no matter how Hughes-esque these 21st century films & tv shows are, they cannot "truly" capture the films of Hughes because they tend to exaggerate issues such as teen sex and drug use to the point that it becomes too unrealistic.

I wish that Hollywood or any filmaker makes a feel-good teen movie like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, a teen movie that we teens could relate too without depressing us with issues like teen sex or PC-sissyfied characters. When will such film happen again in this generation??

[LordSimen]

I wish that Hollywood or any filmaker makes a feel-good teen movie like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, a teen movie that we teens could relate too without depressing us with issues like teen sex or PC-sissyfied characters. When will such film happen again in this generation??

http://www.planetblacksburg.com/images/entertainment/superbad-bigposter.jpg

[vesaker]

funny how he already gave Superbad as an example of coming close to Hughes but falling just short.

[bigred760]

I think the movies would be just as good if they were released today, but they wouldn't be made like they were 20-25 years ago. I think teen comedies today rely too much on the drugs, sex, and toilet humor. Ferris Bueller is one of my favorite comedies because there are characters (students) fighting "the system." You rarely see that nowadays.

[Le_Big_Mac]

I think it's possible though they'd have to trash the '80s soundtrack and not use any of the popular crap these days either.

[LordSimen]

funny how he already gave Superbad as an example of coming close to Hughes but falling just short.

I don't give a shit.

[Raoul Duke]

One really glaring blemish on Hughes is that he had Ally Sheedy's character revamp her entire look and attitude in order to be with the jock...What in the fuck was he thinking?

[Le_Big_Mac]

One really glaring blemish on Hughes is that he had Ally Sheedy's character revamp her entire look and attitude in order to be with the jock...What in the fuck was he thinking?

I've never been sure about that but really, is it good to go through life being essentially "emo" anyway, especially before emo even existed?

[starcat]

i think with ally sheedys character he was going for the ugly ducklying beautiful swan thing, not that ally sheedy was ugly even sporting the emo look. and alot of 80s teen movies used drugs and sex... the best examples being porkys and revenge of the nerds. I just really dont think teen comedies can exist with the drugs and sex now cause kids are just not as innocent as they were then.

[The Postmaster General]

I think the movies would be just as good if they were released today, but they wouldn't be made like they were 20-25 years ago. I think teen comedies today rely too much on the drugs, sex, and toilet humor. Ferris Bueller is one of my favorite comedies because there are characters (students) fighting "the system." You rarely see that nowadays.



I agree, something like Superbad is not an example. Superbad captures that 80s nostalgia, but it's more along the lines of a Porky's (albeit I think much higher quality in terms of writing)

There might be some examples of movies like Ferris Bueller though. Personally, I wish they'd do that sequel I heard Broderick bring up before - Ferris, now, skipping work for a day. (My vote for title is Mr. Bueller's Day Off...)

[bigred760]

There might be some examples of movies like Ferris Bueller though. Personally, I wish they'd do that sequel I heard Broderick bring up before - Ferris, now, skipping work for a day. (My vote for title is Mr. Bueller's Day Off...)

I would really love to see that . . . and I even love the title.

[mel1ssa]

we take it for granted that these films are so good in our eyes. if we had a rash of films now that hit like the 'brat pack' films did in the 80's --

1. they would be recognized for their similarities and then be constantly compared to the brat pack films of the 80's. our expectations would be unrealistic and they couldn't live up to the precedent that had been set.

2. we'd get sick of the them. think of how many teen movies ringwald did back then. she was over exposed in that niche genre and, although i don't remember it because i was too young and didn't pay attention, i bet the critics tore up her movies after awhile for all being similar. i know it that would happen now.

i'd prefer to enjoy ferris, bender, and ducky nostalgically.

[hoojib127]

I think the movies would be just as good if they were released today, but they wouldn't be made like they were 20-25 years ago. I think teen comedies today rely too much on the drugs, sex, and toilet humor. Ferris Bueller is one of my favorite comedies because there are characters (students) fighting "the system." You rarely see that nowadays.

Right on. A movie like "Superbad" makes a movie like "Ferris Bueller" almost look like a Truffaut film. I mean, whatever happened to things like subtlety and understatement? :cool:

[LordSimen]

Subtlety is overrated.

[Venus Venusia]

I think it's possible though they'd have to trash the '80s soundtrack and not use any of the popular crap these days either.

To be honest, as soon as I saw the title of this thread, I instantly thought of soundtracks. I own a lot of soundtracks for 80's movies (including The Breakfast Club), and these days, they just don't seem to be as prominent. We don't have "soundtrack kings" or "queens" these days. And if we did, I honestly have noooo idea who they would be.

[mel1ssa]

Subtlety is overrated.

Nooooooooo. (hmmm... that probably wasn't too subtle.)

Subtlety is persuasive, intelligent, and in some ways even confident. Being subtle (whether it's a characteristic of a movie or a person) is a good thing. It's influential.

[LordSimen]

Subtlety is persuasive, intelligent, and in some ways even confident. Being subtle (whether it's a characteristic of a movie or a person) is a good thing. It's influential.

Sometimes. Subtlety if it serves your purpose and done correctly is definitely something that can be amazing and influential. At the same time, going to extremes, being unsubtle and just going over the top can be equally as influential if it serves your purpose. I tend to prefer that approach, the extreme films, over the subtle films, personally.

Oh, and, I hate when subtlety just becomes a crutch to describe something that simply isn't there.

[jdparker]

The only 21st century films that are close to John Hughes' films are Charlie Bartlett, Mean Girls, Superbad, About a Boy, Juno, TV shows like Freaks and Geeks and UK Channel 4's The Inbetweeners.

I wish that Hollywood or any filmaker makes a feel-good teen movie like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, a teen movie that we teens could relate too without depressing us with issues like teen sex or PC-sissyfied characters. When will such film happen again in this generation??

The Girl Next Door!

[Jon Lyrik]

They need to make a realistic teen drama that isn't too far off the rails or too peppy. And no cutesy Juno shit.

[LordSimen]

They need to make a realistic teen drama that isn't too far off the rails or too peppy. And no cutesy Juno shit.

Well, while some found it to be a little off the rails, I'd say Thirteen was pretty spot on for certain people. I definitely know people who went through similar life situations as that girl did.

[MoovEDude]

I don't give a shit.


Of course you dont - and this comment only enhances your ignorance further



On a side note: Though I like Superbad, Hughes had more class than that in his movies and wouldnt revel in that humor - again, I like both kinds of humor, but Hughes material was above Superbad.

[LordSimen]

On a side note: Though I like Superbad, Hughes had more class than that in his movies and wouldnt revel in that humor - again, I like both kinds of humor, but Hughes material was above Superbad.

Apparently Hughes isn't above creating a message that basically states "Change who you are completely and you will find true love." What kind of message is that? That's the kind of message that's "above" Superbad? I think not.

People who look at things only from the surface and never look past the extreme nature of the surface will never be able to see the beauty of what's underneath.

[jdparker]

Apparently Hughes isn't above creating a message that basically states "Change who you are completely and you will find true love." What kind of message is that? That's the kind of message that's "above" Superbad? I think not.

You're talking about the quiet girl in The Breakfast Club right?

Well... On the one hand she did kindda do a 180 image wise... but on the other hand - she was kind of anti-social to begin with. I think the whole "reinvent" yourself in a better way is kind of a typical 1980's idea, so depending on ones personal outlook they might see this in a different way.

You've got to ask - did she change her personality, or did she become who she always wanted to but was too afraid because she felt unaccepted and shy? (that sounds like a tag-line for a cliche' teen movie right there)

Take a look at another John Hughes (written) flick, Pretty in Pink, Ringwalds character was happy with her own style/personality, and refused to change for a boy. The way I see it the difference between the two is that Ringwald was confident with her self-image, and the shy girl (can't remember her name) wasn't. And its this reason why she dressed and acted the way she did at the beginning of the film, and this reason why she was so apt to change when she finally felt accepted by her peers. Which is kindda what the whole movie is about.

My problem with the whole thing is that Emilo fell for her the minute she looked pretty which is just a little too superficial for me. Stupid Jocks eh!

[LordSimen]

You're talking about the quiet girl in The Breakfast Club right?

Well... On the one hand she did kindda do a 180 image wise... but on the other hand - she was kind of anti-social to begin with. I think the whole "reinvent" yourself in a better way is kind of a typical 1980's idea, so depending on ones personal outlook they might see this in a different way.

You've got to ask - did she change her personality, or did she become who she always wanted to but was too afraid because she felt unaccepted and shy? (that sounds like a tag-line for a cliche' teen movie right there)

Take a look at another John Hughes (written) flick, Pretty in Pink, Ringwalds character was happy with her own style/personality, and refused to change for a boy. The way I see it the difference between the two is that Ringwald was confident with her self-image, and the shy girl (can't remember her name) wasn't. And its this reason why she dressed and acted the way she did at the beginning of the film, and this reason why she was so apt to change when she finally felt accepted by her peers. Which is kindda what the whole movie is about.

My problem with the whole thing is that Emilo fell for her the minute she looked pretty which is just a little too superficial for me. Stupid Jocks eh!

You bring up many valid points good sir. Well played.

To clarify, I don't think it was fair for someone to say that just because Hughe's comedy was different and less vulgar that somehow made it above Superbad. Different types of comedy, different methods at going about their messages. But the original reason I posted Superbad in this thread is because the OP asked a quesiton about whether or not we would get FEEL GOOD teen comedies of today. I think to ignore the fact that Superbad is a prime example of a FEEL GOOD teen comedy is to ignore what the entire movie is about. Sure, it's vulgar. Sure, it's in your face. But you take all those elements away, and strip it of it's comedy, what kind of movie is it? The kind about friendship, sticking with your friends through thick and thin. The message was that even when you're mad at them, even when the shit hits the fan, a true friend is one you can always rely on. I'd say the feel good message of Superbad was clear.

[jdparker]

To clarify, I don't think it was fair for someone to say that just because Hughe's comedy was different and less vulgar that somehow made it above Superbad. Different types of comedy, different methods at going about their messages. But the original reason I posted Superbad in this thread is because the OP asked a quesiton about whether or not we would get FEEL GOOD teen comedies of today. I think to ignore the fact that Superbad is a prime example of a FEEL GOOD teen comedy is to ignore what the entire movie is about. Sure, it's vulgar. Sure, it's in your face. But you take all those elements away, and strip it of it's comedy, what kind of movie is it? The kind about friendship, sticking with your friends through thick and thin. The message was that even when you're mad at them, even when the shit hits the fan, a true friend is one you can always rely on. I'd say the feel good message of Superbad was clear.

fo sho... FO SHO! FO SHO!