Lucas (released on March 28, 1986) stands as one of the most empathetic and intellectually honest teen dramas of the decade. Written and directed by David Seltzer, the film avoids the raunchy caricatures prevalent in many 80s comedies, choosing instead to focus on the painful, poetic reality of being an outsider.
Lucas Bly (Corey Haim) is a brilliant, socially awkward fourteen-year-old who spends his summer collecting insects and playing his saxophone.
He finds a kindred spirit in Maggie (Kerri Green), a girl who has just moved to town.
The two form a deep, innocent bond over their shared sense of being “different.”
However, when the school year begins, the social hierarchy of high school threatens their connection.
Maggie is drawn toward the popular crowd, specifically the kind-hearted football star Cappie (Charlie Sheen), who is currently dating popular cheerleader Alise (Courtney Thorne-Smith).
Despite being the school’s star athlete, Cappie is not the typical bully; he takes Lucas under his wing, creating a complex emotional triangle.
Lucas, consumed by his unrequited love for Maggie and his desire to prove his worth, decides to do the unthinkable: join the varsity football team.
His quest for glory is watched with quiet devotion by Rina (Winona Ryder), a fellow outcast who harbors a secret crush on Lucas.
As the pressure mounts, Lucas faces the ridicule of peers like Bruno (Tom Hodges) and Spike (Jeremy Piven).
The film reaches a gut-wrenching climax on the football field, where Lucas attempts a play that is both physically dangerous and emotionally desperate, ultimately leading to a moment of collective grace that redefines what it means to be a hero in the eyes of his peers.
Lucas is a film that treats the emotions of a fourteen-year-old with the same gravity as an adult epic, anchored by a heartbreakingly sincere performance from the late Haim.
Kerri Green and Corey Haim in Lucas (Photo/20th Century Fox)
Reception for Lucas
Lucas grossed $1.3 million on its opening weekend, finishing 11th at the box office.
The film would gross $8.2 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
The legacy of Lucas is its enduring reputation as one of the most authentic coming-of-age stories ever captured on film.
It is famously remembered as a “star-maker” project, featuring the cinematic debuts of Ryder and Piven, and providing Sheen with one of his most sympathetic roles.
The film broke the mold of the 1980s high school movie by portraying its “jocks” with nuance and kindness rather than making them one-dimensional villains.
Today, Lucas is viewed as a poignant time capsule of mid-80s youth culture, praised for its heart and it remains a testament to the courage it takes to be oneself when the world demands you fit in.
