Details
Movie Description
Nascent filmmaker and then-Rolling Stone journalist Cameron Crowe went undercover in a southern California high school to document the hilarious hijinx of teens in the 1980s. Director Amy Heckerling turned his book into a classic teen comedy--equal parts sex, stoners, sensitivity, and satire. Many of the young cast--most notably, Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh--went on to Hollywood fame. A milestone in '80s teen flicks.
Synopsis
This highly appealing teen comedy created a host of new stars -- including Sean Penn -- and features a lively rock music soundtrack. The freewheeling story chronicles the sexual insecurities and adventures of a group of Southern California high school students. These shopping mall regulars experiment with drugs, surfing techniques and various fast-food secret sauce combinations. And in class (when they even go to class!) they wreak havoc -- especially when the pizza delivery arrives...
Film Notes
Based on factual articles written by Cameron Crowe, who later turned the stories into a book and then screenplay. Crowe returned to high school as an adult masquerading as a student for a year. This story chronicles his time there.
Film debuts for actors Eric Stoltz, Anthony Edwards, and Nicolas Cage (who was credited under his real name, Nicolas Coppola).
Nicolas Cage is the nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola.
Color by Technicolor.
The cable television version of the film featured additional footage of Sean Penn. Its soundtrack was also changed.
This film inspired a TV series, "Fast Times," that was broadcast on the CBS network in 1986. The film's source writer and screenwriter, Cameron Crowe, was creative consultant for the series. Actors Ray Walston and Vincent Schiavelli recreated their roles from the film. Frank Zappa's daughter, Moon Unit Zappa, appeared in the series as Barbara De Vilbiss. The TV theme was written by Danny Elfman and performed by Oingo Boingo.
Director Martin Brest plays a small part in the film.
Additional cast: Scott Thomson and Pamela Springsteen.
Additional credit: Rob Fahey (music, songs).
Industry Reviews
"...The really good part of FAST TIMES is Sean Penn as a spaced-out, irresponsible surfer....Penn is a joy to watch at work....Similarly, Judge Reinhold is terrific..."
Variety - Har. (08/11/1982)
"...All these young actors are relaxed, funny and natural. But the movie's real scene stealer is Sean Penn..."
New York Times - Janet Maslin (09/03/1982)
"...More sophisticated than the average high-school romp. There's an inspired turn from Sean Penn..."
Sight and Sound - Geoffrey Macnab (06/01/2000)
"...Lifted by Sean Penn's hugely charismatic, doped-up surfer dude..."
Total Film - Daniel Webb (08/01/2003)
"...It's often thought of as the quintessential 1980s teen flick....It portrayed real teens dealing with real issues..."
Entertainment Weekly - Entertainment Weekly Staff (01/11/2002)
"[This] reality-inspired testament to the cliques, pitfalls, and accidental hilarity of being a teenager coined most of high-school-movie short-hand..."
Premiere - Premiere Staff (12/01/2003)
"With its surface zest complementing melancholy underpinnings, director Amy Heckerling's take on a smart Cameron Crowe script ambushed everyone who expected just another teen comedy."
USA Today - Mike Clark (03/16/2004)
Quotations
"I shall serve no fries before their time." -- Brad Hamilton (JUDGE REINHOLD)
"You're the one who told me I was gonna get a boyfriend at the mall." -- Stacy Hamilton (JENNIFER JASON LEIGH) to Linda Barrett (PHOEBE CATES)
"A way of looking at that wave and saying 'Hey, Bud, let's party.'" -- Jeff Spicoli (SEAN PENN) describing what it's like to go surfing
"You're wrong. There's no birthday party for me in here!" -- Jeff Spicoli (SEAN PENN) after being tricked into attending class
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