Today’s quick review: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is a bright but inattentive high school senior. When the spring weather proves too nice to waste on school, he fakes an illness to take the day off. With his best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) at his side, he sets out to pack as much fun into his day of freedom as possible. But not everyone is understanding of Ferris’s “illness”. His sister Jeanie (Jennifer Grey) is fed up with all the stunts her brother gets away with, while Principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) is convinced that Ferris is playing hooky. If he wants to seize the day, Ferris must first avoid getting caught.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a charming comedy about playing hooky when you can. Matthew Broderick nails the role of Ferris. His lies have a mischievous, innocent quality to them that make him hard to dislike, even when he is lying about a death in the family or changing his grades on the school computer. Alan Ruck plays Cameron, Ferris’s opposite number, a cautious, nervous boy who goes along with Ferris’s schemes against his better judgment. Much of the charm of the movie comes from their interplay, with Ferris trying to get Cameron to come out of his shell and Cameron acting as a voice of reason. Mia Sara rounds out the trio as Sloane, Ferris’s fun-loving girlfriend, accomplice, and audience.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a light, joyful watch that is worth catching whenever you have the chance. Though not particularly deep, it does have a pair of nice messages about stopping to smell the roses and standing up for yourself. The film sports a number of iconic moments, from the misguided “Save Ferris” campaign to the Chicago parade Ferris runs into. All of the tension and much of the comedy come from Jeanie and Principal Rooney, whose dual attempts to bust Ferris meet with a number of setbacks. Those who are looking for a nice comedy should look no farther: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a pleasant, iconic movie with general appeal.
7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for light comedy and iconic moments.