Reflecting back on the films of John Hughes - Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Vacation and more - provides wonderful memories today. In tribute to the late Hughes, this article looks back at one of the most beloved.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off gave audiences a glimpse into the life of a young man living each day to its fullest. Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) goes through elaborate efforts to skip a day of school by convincing his parents he is sick and in need of a day's bed rest. His best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) is legitimately battling mild illness at home but reluctantly follows Bueller on his day's adventure. With some amusing antics, right under the nose of their principal, the pair are able to get Bueller's girlfriend, Sloane (Mia Sara) out of school as well.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The three spend the day in as fulfilling a manner as possible, enjoying everything from a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, to reviewing the Art Institute of Chicago, to participating in a parade much to the crowd's delight. The trio manage to avoid their over-zealous principal who personally takes it upon himself to catch Bueller in his truancy.
The basic storyline is enjoyable, but is not the element which brings audiences back again and again. Instead, the moments throughout the journey make the characters relatable and memorable. Bueller's lust for life seemed genuine, and his savvy means of avoiding school - computer hacking - wowed adolescents of the 80's who wished for the power to do the same. Cameron's ennui envelops the lovably uncouth sidekick, and Sloane's dreamy admiration for the film's protagonist is marginally more evocative than her somewhat mysterious personality.
Memorable Moments in a Cult Classic
To further the film's status as a cult favorite, even the minor characters are able to steal scenes and make an indelible mark with the audience. The school secretary's description of Bueller as a "righteous dude," Charlie Sheen's connection with Bueller's sister (Jennifer Grey), and Ben Stein's appearance that introduced the infamous "Bueller.... Bueller..." roll call bring forth fits of laughter in repeated viewing.
Iconic moments in the film include the skyrocketing Ferrari enjoyed by downtown parking attendants, a musical montage involving Cameron's focus on pointillism, and memorable renditions of "Danke Schoen" and "Twist and Shout" in the parade scene.
Substance and Meaning from John Hughes
John Hughes does not simply delight audiences with a humorous adventure. He goes on to provide the characters with at least a modicum of inner conflict, as Bueller contemplates what will happen to his two closest companions when he is no longer there to lead them. Cameron faces the fear of his father, by choosing to take the heat that will come down after the prized classic Ferrari has been destroyed. The drama portrayed will not impress most movie critics, but it does provide the touch of realism and difficulty with life that makes characters throughout all of Hughes' films so endearing.
Ultimately, the day spent experiencing fun and excitement leaves most of the characters around Bueller brimming with a fresh attitude about life. Inspired or spurred by Bueller, they are able to look beyond the duties and responsibilities of life just long enough to appreciate what they have. The hero reminds the audience, "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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