Based on the book by Cameron Crowe, the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High, released in theaters on August 13, 1982, is an iconic and honest portrayal of teenage life. Directed by Amy Heckerling, the movie weaves together multiple storylines following the students of Ridgemont High as they navigate a year of relationships, jobs, and the struggles of growing up.
At the heart of the film are the romantic trials of Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and her older brother, Brad (Judge Reinhold), who must deal with both his demanding fast-food job and a humiliating breakup. Meanwhile, their friends and classmates navigate their own chaotic lives.
The film’s most memorable character is arguably the perpetually stoned and laid-back surfer Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn), whose ongoing battles with the rigid history teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston) provide some of the film’s biggest laughs.
Other key characters include the smooth-talking ticket scalper Mike Damone (Robert Romanus), the shy and awkward Mark “Rat” Ratner (Brian Backer), and the popular and confident Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates).
Taylor Negron has an early appearance as the pizza deliveryman from the “Pizza Guy” restaurant.
The cast also includes a number of future stars in smaller roles, such as Eric Stoltz, Forest Whitaker, Anthony Edwards and Nicolas Cage (credited as Nicolas Coppola).
Cage made his feature-film debut, portraying an unnamed co-worker of Brad’s at All-American Burger.
The film masterfully balances its humor with a surprisingly candid and unflinching look at sensitive topics like teenage sex, unplanned pregnancy, and the pressures of fitting in.
The film was initially given an X rating by the MPAA due to a protracted sex scene and brief male frontal nudity during the pool house scene, but the film was edited and cropped to secure an R rating.
This film was released two weeks after The Last American Virgin, which it is often compared to due to similar subjects.
Ridgemont Mall scenes were filmed at the Sherman Oaks Galleria.
Phoebe Cates in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Photo/Universal Pictures)
Reception for Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Fast Times at Ridgemont High grossed $2.5 million on its opening weekend, in limited release on 498 screens.
The film would gross $27.1 million in its theatrical run on its its $4.5 million budget.
Richard Roeper said the film “defined an era” in his 40th anniversary post on Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Lasting Legacy
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a landmark in the teen movie genre. Its legacy lies in its realistic, non-judgmental approach to adolescence, which set it apart from its predecessors. It was not a coming-of-age fantasy, but a raw and authentic look at the mundane and dramatic moments of high school.
The film’s influence can be seen in countless teen comedies that followed, and it’s widely credited with launching the careers of many of its young stars.
More than four decades after its release, it remains a beloved cult classic that continues to resonate with new generations, cementing its place as an essential piece of 1980s cinema.
