Among the arsenal of ‘80s movies that all generations of audiences have come to enjoy over the years, there are a few that stand out among the rest as pillars of the decade. Many of these films encapsulate the adolescent experience, showcasing the intricacies of coming-of-age within an emerging era where creative expression was everything. The ‘80s were a memorable time period in many ways, not only for its catchy music and bold visual aesthetic, but also for its entertainment factor.
One of these impactful entries is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The film’s happy-go-lucky vibe, quotable lines, and visually memorable moments make it a fan favorite not just for ’80s kids, but audiences from multiple generations. Even several decades after its arrival in theaters, it still has a dedicated fan culture and largely positive reputation. There are so many essential high school movies out there that illuminate this formative time in a person’s life. So, how exactly does this celebrated movie capture the familiar ins and outs that come along with secondary education?
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The Carefree Spirit of Youth
Paramount Pictures
Of course, we wouldn’t have Ferris Bueller’s Day Off if Ferris didn’t decide to play hooky for a day… or nine. This untouchable attitude is something most teenagers are familiar with, something that can even be hard to outgrow as adulthood lurks closer every day. This feeling, largely felt by Ferris, extends into his friend group after he ensnares his best buddy Cameron and girlfriend Sloane into his plans to skip school. The three shirk off their responsibilities for the day to enjoy several experiences and memories in the making in downtown Chicago. It’s safe to say that most adults wouldn’t think of cutting into a citywide parade, jumping up on a float, and dedicating a song to their closest friend. But this escapade is only one of the tricks that Ferris pulls that day, serving as a ringmaster of the day’s activities.
An Empire review of the film cited that it functions as “an unbearably smug celebration of crass consumerism” that champions Ferris’s privilege of racking up enormous bills, so it won’t be immediately relatable to every single audience member. However, it also offers that the story also finds its legacy in its status as “an almost irresistibly likable, defiantly sunny comedy.” This viewpoint is largely due to the emotions it explores, resulting in what appears to be an immortal sense of youth. Viewers are reminded of their own high school days, and of how the real world seems to crack wide open for seniors on the brink of graduation.
The Looming Sense of Uncertainty
Being a high schooler isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, as anyone who’s spent time in those institutions will remember. Reality settles in sooner than expected, encroaching on the endless ideas and what-ifs that take up space in our brains. Despite the jam-packed day off that Ferris initiates, these feelings still find a way to creep into the trio’s plans. The looming threat of splitting up to go to different universities is always in the background, and the void of the future threatens to suck the happiness out of present day pleasures. This sense of accountability is personified by their principal, Mr. Edward Rooney, who spends the story desperately trying to prove that Ferris is skipping school on purpose. But despite all the odds stacked against them, the three are always one step ahead of trouble, even dodging Ferris’s family while out and about. The audience is left wondering if they’ll actually get away with it, and thankfully for them, the plan succeeds.
When Cameron’s dad’s 1961 stop-sign-red Ferrari gets ruined, it serves as a physical reminder that we aren’t truly as invincible as we may think. Ferris’s idea to take it out for a spin spirals into the car’s overextended odometer and its eventual crash, a story down from Cameron’s parents’ garage. These circumstances jar the group, most of all Cameron, which leads to a brave speech on how he knows he needs to face his dad. Audiences don’t actually see the conclusion of these loose ends of the story, adding to the idea that uncertainty is a natural part of life for everyone. The open-ended conclusion to this chapter reminds viewers that sure, the unknown will follow you around, but it’s a natural part of life that must be dealt with when it eventually arises.
The Promise of Figuring It All Out Eventually
As Ferris says, “The question isn’t ‘What are we going to do?,’ the question is ‘What aren’t we going to do?’” The ambiguity of high school’s end and life after graduation is enough to make anyone feel a bit defeated. Things will never be the same, whether we like it or not. Ferris’s attitude throughout the film is the most positive outlook between his friend group, as he appears to be the voice of reason in terms of not taking life so seriously. But among their downtrodden questions and worries about the future, even Ferris expresses concern about parting ways with Cameron and with Sloane, who’s a junior, when it’s time to go off to college. Ferris and Sloane hope to get married eventually, letting that dream carry them through the uncertainties of current events. Cameron offers words of wisdom as his characterization comes to a head: “I am not going to sit on my *** as the events that affect me unfold to determine the course of my life. I’m going to take a stand.” Each character comes to terms with the unknown in their own way, leaning on each other to get through the difficulties.
Overwhelmingly, the film serves as an optimistic take on the unpredictability of teenage life, meeting adversity and challenges with a smile and a shrug. It evokes a sense of knowing that everything will be okay eventually, no matter what direction the winds of change blow you towards. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off has been hailed as “a devil-may-care respite from grueling dailiness,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. One of the movie’s most defining quotes sets the tone for the ultimate lessons it contains: “Live moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
