A step back in time

This movie is how everyone wished high school was not like in the early 80s. It follows 6 people for a school year. The highly respected high school senior who thinks this the year he will finally have sex. The seniors little sister who does with terrible results. Her friend and mentor with an older nowhere around boyfriend, and she has all the answers and no experience. There is the Ratman who wants a date or to find the perfect girlfriend, but he is too shy to talk to girls. Then there is his buddy who is basically like him but with a more outgoing personality, and once again he has all the answers. And lastly the STONER played by Sean Penn. He is the classic anytime is a good time to smoke pot. These are the main people of the movie.

This movie will have you rolling with laughter, but it also has some sad real life situations. In many ways it captures the best years of your high school life realistically. They are a double edged sword, carefree but serious. It really is a coming of age movie.

There are many pitfalls that the actors face in this movie. The senior loses his girl, his job, and his self respect, and this is supposed to be his year. His sister loses her virginity and much more. The Ratman and his friend lose their friendship and trust. The Stoner loses his mind, not really, he does not have much of one to start with.

There is an all star line up in this movie just before they were stars. It is interesting to watch this movie now and see how far they have gone. Sean Penn showed early promise here of what a good actor he is, and how he can play different roles so well.

The writer/director wrote a great book that this movie was based on. He went undercover at a high school and used it for a basis for the book. The book is somewhat different than the movie because the people in the movie are based on two or or people of the book. I had the book when it came out and loaned it to someone, they never returned it. You know who you are, return the book to me no questions asked. Just joking, kinda.