Class (released on July 22, 1983) opens as a lively, cheeky 1983 romantic comedy-drama that captures the chaotic transition from adolescence to adulthood against the backdrop of an elite prep school.
Directed by Lewis John Carlino, the plot centers on Jonathan Ogner (Andrew McCarthy), a naive, awkward teenager arriving at Vernon Academy in Illinois.
He is paired with a charismatic, rebellious, and wealthy roommate, Squire Franklin “Skip” Burroughs IV (Rob Lowe).
Despite an embarrassing initial prank, the duo forms a tight friendship.
Sensing Jonathan’s romantic inexperience, Skip sends his sheltered friend to Chicago to gain some real-world sexual confidence.
At an upscale cocktail lounge, Jonathan meets Ellen (Jacqueline Bisset), a gorgeous, sophisticated older woman.
The two spark an intense, secret affair, completely unbeknownst to Skip.
The narrative takes a dramatic, highly uncomfortable turn when Skip invites Jonathan to spend the Christmas holidays at his family’s sprawling estate.
Upon arriving, Jonathan is horrified to discover that Ellen is actually Skip’s mother, married to a cold, distant patriarch, Mr. Burroughs (Cliff Robertson).
Terrified of ruining his friendship and breaking Skip’s trust, Jonathan frantically attempts to end the relationship, but Ellen repeatedly contacts him, leading to clandestine encounters that inevitably explode into light.
As the scandal unravels, the bonds of friendship are stretched to their absolute limits amidst the backdrop of campus life, featuring a supporting cast of classmates played by John Cusack, Alan Ruck, Virginia Madsen, Casey Siemaszko, and Lolita Davidovich.
The story moves toward an emotional confrontation as Jonathan and Skip must reconcile the painful realities of betrayal, maturity, and adult imperfection.
Jacqueline Bisset and Rob Lowe in Class (Photo/Orion Pictures)
Reception for Class
Class grossed $4.6 million on its opening weekend, finishing fourth at the box office.
The film would gross $21.7 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave Class two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Class‘ legacy is famously secure, widely recognized by film historians as a quintessential launching pad for an entire generation of 1980s Hollywood talent.
It holds a unique historical place as the definitive birthplace of the “Brat Pack” movement, marking the feature film debut of McCarthy while serving as an early showcase Lowe, Cusack, and Madsen.
Beyond its role as a talent incubator, the feature stands out for blending the decade’s typical raunchy prep-school comedy tropes with surprisingly complex, The Graduate-style dramatic themes surrounding bourgeois disillusionment.
Class is remembered as an iconic time capsule of early-eighties teen cinema, remembered for its memorable Elmer Bernstein score, sharp lead performances, and its bold exploration of coming-of-age taboos.
