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Rodney Dangerfield, Sally Kellerman, Burt Young, Keith Gordon, Robert Downey Jr. ... see more see more... , M. Emmet Walsh , Paxton Whitehead , Adrienne Barbeau , Terry Farrell , William Zabka , Ned Beatty , Severn Darden , Sam Kinison , Robert Picardo , Kurt Vonnegut Jr. , Edie McClurg , Nora Boland , Kimberlin Ann Brown , Bob Drew , Leslie Huntly , James Ingersoll , Becky Le Beau , Michael McGrady , Santos Morales , Phil Rubenstein , Tim Stack , Steve Sweeney , Stacey Toten , John Young , Brad Zutaut , Danny Elfman , Curtis Stone , Sarah Abrell , Kristen Aldrich , Dana Allison , Eric Alver , Boris Aplon , Kimberlee Carlson , Lisa Denton , William Grauer , Holly Hayes , Jason Hervey , Tricia Hill , John William James , Lisa LeCover , Theresa Lyons , Jill D. Merin , Beth Peters , Josh Saylor , Dallas Winker

Self-made wealthy guy Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield) decides he needs a better education -- and also to spend some time away from his cheating new wife. Thornton joins his son, Jason (Keith Gordo... read more read more...n) at college. Dad hopes to gain his son's respect (isn't that always Dangerfield's motivation?), while his son tries to fit in with his snobbish and brutish fellow students. English professor Diane Turner (Sally Kellerman) forms a strong bond with Thornton, encouraging both father and son to stick out their first year despite all odds. The finale involves some slapstick at the swimming pool diving board, and the obligatory commencement address delivered by Dangerfield, who proves that he can crack jokes without tugging at his tie. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

31,637 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

23 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Alan Metter

Release Date: June 13, 1986

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DVD Release Date: June 26, 2003

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Stats: 1,057 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,057)

  • kiriyamakazou
    September 10, 2011
    kiriyamakazou
    Rodney Dangerfield is one of the greatest stand up comedians ever. His timing and delivery are simply perfect. This films shows that he also had some great acting talent. Nothing that pushes him too far, but certainly enough to propel the story along. Dangerfield decides to atten... read mored his son's college to help his son through the hard times. Obviously they each learn a little about each other along the way. There are many sequences and characters you will be familiar with, but Dangerfield is particularly lovable. He's supported by a strong supporting cast. The best moments are when Dangerfield proves himself as more than just a one-liner comedian.
  • ajv2688
    January 27, 2011
    ajv2688
    A very funny, but somewhat stupid, comedy starring Dangerfield. There are a couple of really funny jokes, but there are also some not very funny jokes. My favourite part is when Oingo Boingo plays at the party.
  • ythelastman89
    January 26, 2011
    ythelastman89
    Rodney Dangerfield at the top of his game, giving out laughs and a heartfelt father/son story. The premise is hilarious in itself, but the execution of it is what really makes it great. Kieth Gordon is a great straight man to the very lively and over the top nature of his onscree... read moren father. Robert Downey Jr. also plays a pretty hilarious rendition of Robert Smith going to college part time. I like how this criticizes the the college experiences as well as romanticizing it.
  • hobster1
    June 27, 2008
    hobster1
    Not sure why, but this Rodney Dangerfield film actually improves with repeated viewings. Classic 80s comedy.
  • kenstachnik
    March 13, 2008
    kenstachnik
    The movie is genius
  • Chiefilms
    March 2, 2008
    Chiefilms
    Classic lines from Dangerfield, along with Caddyshack, best you are going to get from him.
  • jjnxn
    October 29, 2007
    jjnxn
    goofy and outlandish but Rodney and his character are so likable its a pleasure from beginning to end.
  • superclerk25
    October 4, 2007
    superclerk25
    Funny 80's flick. Pretty predictable.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    March 4, 2007
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    One of Rodney Dangerfield's best.
  • deano
    January 23, 2007
    deano
    Rodney Dangerfield is a comic rather like Bernard Manning, only not so shy.

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Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr
February 27, 2008
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

It's a good character for Dangerfield, one that veers him away from the 'I don't get no respect' pathos that comes too easily to him, and enough attention is paid to the minimal plot to integrate Dang... Full Review

Nina Darnton
May 21, 2003
Nina Darnton, New York Times

The film is a good-natured potpourri of gags, funny bits, populist sentiment and anti-intellectualism. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This is exactly the sort of plot Marx or Fields could have appeared in. Dangerfield brings it something they might also have brought along: a certain pathos. Full Review

Matt Brunson
August 27, 2010
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

One of the brightest (and least pretentious) comedies of the past quarter-century, the 1986 box office hit Back to School is the sort of film that's easy to watch repeatedly over the years. Full Review

February 27, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The result is unsophisticated, unilluminating, unambitious, and hilarious. Full Review

February 27, 2008
Film4

Observe, and offer cod psychological analysis to your friends. Full Review

Kim Newman
February 27, 2008
Kim Newman, Empire Magazine

This Rodney Dangerfield vehicle is a lot better than it should be. Full Review

James Kendrick
August 18, 2007
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk

Dangerfield dominates most the film, happily upending everything around him. Full Review

January 26, 2006
Time Out

[An] acceptable time-passer. Full Review

Bill Clark
October 28, 2005
Bill Clark, FromTheBalcony

Dangerfield's best cinematic offering, but it's the late Sam Kinison's cameo that steals the show.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Thornton Melon: With the shape my body is in, I could donate it to science fiction.
    • Thornton Melon: Bring a pitcher of beer every seven minutes until someone passes out, then bring one every ten minutes.
    • Diane: Whoever wrote that doesn't know the first thing about Kurt Vogenegut!
    • Thornton Melon: And another thing Vogenegut, I'm stopping payment on the check!!
    • Thornton Melon: Class huh? Let's talk about class ok Vanessa. There's you and Gorgio in the guest room. Very classy. There's you and Gorgio in the rumpus room, another classy one. Whoo this one i can't figure out! There's you, there's Gorgio, what's with the midget? Hey wait I've got more!
    • Thornton Melon: Call me sometime, when you have no class.
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Back to School : Watch Free on TV

Back to School Trivia

  • In which movie did Adam Sandler have to go back to school and complete every grade in 2 weeks per grade?  Answer »
  • He was an architect, a football player, and went back to school.  Answer »
  • In which movie did the title character play 'Johnny B Goode' at a school dance?  Answer »
  • "Back to school, back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool," is a line from which Adam Sandler movie?  Answer »
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