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Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer ... see more see more... , Phoebe Cates , Ray Walston , Scott Thomson , Vincent Schiavelli , Amanda Wyss , James Bershad , D.W. Brown , Nicolas Cage , Lana Clarkson , Sonny Carl Davis , Anthony Edwards , Ava Lazar , Kelli Maroney , Douglas Brian Martin , Stu Nahan , Taylor Negron , Tom Nolan , Virginia Peters , James Russo , Pamela Springsteen , Eric Stoltz , Lori Sutton , Michael Wyle , Martin Brest , Stuart Cornfield , David F. Price , Forest Whitaker , Patrick Brennan , Duane Tucker , Reginald H. Farmer , Steven M. Martin , Nancy Wilson

Amy Heckerling's adaptation of Cameron Crowe's Fast Times at Ridgemont High is often considered one of the finest films of a disreputable genre (the teen sex comedy), and kick-started the careers of m... read more read more...any future stars. The center of this ensemble film is Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stacy Hamilton. She is a young, innocent high-school student who, as the film opens, is asking for advice from her friend, the sexually outspoken Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates). Stacy takes a liking to nebbish Mark Ratner (Brian Backer), but he is too afraid to make a move even after Stacy all but throws herself at him. She eventually hooks up with Mark's more confident best friend, Mike Damone (Robert Romanus). When not concerning itself with these four characters, the film spends time with stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) and his ongoing feud with history teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston). The film includes brief appearances by such future stars as Nicolas Cage, Eric Stoltz, and Forest Whitaker. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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76% liked it

148,389 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

46 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Amy Heckerling

Release Date: August 13, 1982

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DVD Release Date: November 2, 2004

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Stats: 6,753 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (6,753)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    April 12, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    One of the key teen comedies of the 80's is a definite must see for fans of 80's cinema. Although not as knee slapping hilarious as other teen comedy films, this film is still a terrific comedic gem of the 1980's. This film has set the standard for many Teen comedies that would f... read moreollow in the subsequent years. There's some good gags on-screen, the cast is terrific and though at time the film shows its imperfections, for the most part it succeeds at being an entertaining film. Although not as memorable as many John Hughes comedies, this is nonetheless a very good film that has some very funny moments. Fast Times At Ridgemont High is a film that is in the same category as The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, it's a film that brought the Teen comedy into the public eye, and was the first of its kind to really be a memorable viewing experience for its viewers. Sure the film isn't perfect, but it manages to be funny, dramatic and lot of fun that its faults are minimal. The film is lots of fun from start to finish and is one of those timeless teen comedies that still stands the test of time after all these years. If you're looking for a memorable comedy that will bring out the teen in you, then this is your film. Fast Times At Ridgemont High is a classic film that is among the best teen oriented comedy films of the 1980's. A very enjoyable film that is pure fun and a must see for fans of classic 80's teen comedies.
  • fb733768972
    April 1, 2012
    fb733768972
    This film helms one of the highest reputations in teen film history. It is the spark of many of it's actors careers. From stoned surfers, to sex crazed teenagers, to love, "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" is one great big teen flick that I will always have the fun pleasure of watch... read moreing. It truly shows what teen life was like in the early 80's; awesome music, finding love, and living a care-free life. You actually feel like you have the same emotions all of these characters do and by the end of the film, you just hope everything turns out the way they want it to. I mean, the plot is very thin, going on not much of story, but rather creating an atmosphere of high school life. I had so much fun watching this film and I would gladly watch it many more times. It's nothing very original, but oddly, it is quite memorable. "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" definitely gets in the laughs within it's short 90 minute span and the Hard R-rating definitely shows in the final product. Everything about this film screams 80's. Very fun movie!
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    November 13, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Fast Cars, Fast Girls, Fast Carrots...Fast Carrots?

    Good fun movie. An 80's classic with all the typical high school happenings. In this film you cann see a whole lot of young hollywood stars which made it big and other who didn't. Even Nicholas Cage made a cameo in this film wh... read moreen he still went as his original birth name Nicholas Coppola, he later changed his name so he can grow in the acting business and not be overlook in the Coppola family business.

    Follows a group of high school students growing up in southern California, based on the real-life adventures chronicled by Cameron Crowe. Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner are looking for a love interest, and are helped along by their older classmates, Linda Barrett and Mike Damone, respectively. The center of the film is held by Jeff Spicoli, a perpetually stoned surfer dude who faces off with the resolute Mr. Hand, who is convinced that everyone is on dope.
  • cosmo313
    August 30, 2011
    cosmo313
    This film has quite a reputation, but you know what? It's pretty overrated. Oh yeah, it's entertaining, but I always thought there was more to this movie than there really is, and that it was far more epic or something. Instead, it is funny and entertaining, but underwhelming. I ... read morethink the style is to blame.

    The film follows a group of high school students over the course of a school year, focusing on three main storylines in particular. It's got a very loose episodic feel to it, and, even though I like that sort of thing occasionally, it didn't really work for me here. The film feels a little too jumbled and sporadic. Maybe it should have been more clear with the passage of time ot more tightly focused or something. I think they could have just followed one of these characters more, then restricted the rest to less focus. That could have been better. Instead, the film tries to do a bit much, but given the running time, everything becomes rushed.

    I can look at this film nostalgically, as it was before my time, but I can appreciate it as camp or kitsch, and on that level, it's pretty damn fun. Part of the time. There are some dips into serious territroy, and I think they do work for the most part. I'm not like Ebert who called this film mysoginistic and a scuzz pit (or something). The film does sport a (now) very very notable cast, and the performances are really good, especially from scene stealers Sean Penn and Ray Walston. Cates, Leigh, and Reinhold all do quite well also.

    I was a bit disappointed that this film didn't quite live up to all the hype,but it does capture the times pretty decently, and there are some good moments and laughs, plus I was never bored, so yeah. Give this one a shot, bud.
  • CloudStrife84
    July 27, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Honest, raunchy and hilarious, but more essentially, one of the best high school comedies ever made. I don't think I've ever seen so many great characters in one and the same comedy. The dialogue is superb, the acting spot-on and it's incredibly fun to see actors like Sean Penn, ... read moreNicolas Cage and Forest Whitaker at such a young and rebellious age. Not to mention Jennifer Jason Leigh, who really stole my heart in this one. A true 80's classic!
  • blkbomb
    June 22, 2011
    blkbomb
    Spicoli: "What Jefferson was saying was, Hey! You know, we left this England place 'cause it was bogus; so if we don't get some cool rules ourselves - pronto - we'll just be bogus too! Get it?"
    Fast Times At Ridgemont High is the best teen comedy ever made and one of the best com... read moreedies period. Sean Penn really shines in an early role as Spicoli. He is hilarious, especially when he's on screen with Mr. Hand(Ray Walston). The scene where Spicoli orders pizza is one of the best. The rest of the cast does really well also. Judge Reinhold and Jennifer Jason Leigh are very good as a brother sister combo. Robert Romanus is good as the jackass that every school has. Then there's really small roles for people who would go on to be huge stars such as Forest Whitaker and Nicholas Cage. The movie also features a great soundtrack.
  • FrizzDrop
    April 15, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    Of all the teenage 80's high school romps, this is one of the best examples of commercialism within the trends of high schoolers, frivolity of sex and their consequences, and the views of adolescents during a political crisis. Put that all aside and all anyone remembers are the m... read moreultitude of women's breasts. Full of iconic moments in film history, Fast Times exceeds at developing full fledged characters, with somewhat unrealistic qualities, and yet enjoyable and entertaining antics. From Spicoli vs. Mr. Hand, to Stacy's romantic escapades, to the breakdown of Brad being a free man, I was never disenchanted by these vulnerable youth. Good to watch in an 80's marathon with friends.
  • rezpatriot
    March 27, 2011
    rezpatriot
    This is a great step back into the 80s. Gives a real cool feel for life before internet access, mobile phones, and all the problems that go with. This is what movies were for, communication amongst peers. The music and list of actors and actresses are great. When I see movies lik... read moree this I just step into a dream world where all my problems are dissolved.

    The story is woven between several smaller stories that all include students from the same year. Each actor and actress brings something different to the screen and its all pretty educational too.

    If you want an 80s movie to watch. Then give this a go. Its great fun.
  • erika250
    January 22, 2011
    erika250
    This had a weak plot and not good acting.
  • ajv2688
    January 12, 2011
    ajv2688
    A classic teen drama/comedy, if you like 80s teen movies or just teen movies in general you have to see it. Not only is it hilarious, but the drama is realistic too. I really like this movie.

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Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss
March 13, 2009
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

Director Amy Heckerling has failed to provide the raunch or poignancy that would interest young moviegoers, all of whom have seen American Graffiti and its 467 imitators. Ridgemont High? A nice place ... Full Review

James Berardinelli
June 10, 2008
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Fast Times will always be remembered for one thing: showing respect for and insight into the members of its core audience, something that was as rare in the 1980s as it is today. Full Review

Variety Staff
July 18, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

The nice thing is that Crowe and director Amy Heckerling have provided something pleasant to observe in all of these characters though they really are sadly lacking in anything gripping. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
July 18, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Was never all it was cracked up to be. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

How could they do this to Jennifer Jason Leigh? How could they put such a fresh and cheerful person into such a scuz-pit of a movie? Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

A jumbled but appealing teen-age comedy with something of a fresh perspective on the subject. Full Review

R. L. Shaffer
January 29, 2012
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD

Fast Times is a brilliant, funny and often challenging examination of teenage life in the early 1980s. Full Review

Ellen Twadell
January 1, 2011
Ellen Twadell, Common Sense Media

Teen movie is full of sex, drugs, and misbehavior. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
March 21, 2010
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A cult classic. Full Review

August 7, 2007
Film4

Great fun if not quite the great teen pic some believe it to be. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Brad Hamilton: Hey, you guys had shirts on when you came in here.
    • Jeff Spicoli: Well, somethin' happened to 'em, man.
    • Jeff Spicoli: Hey, I know that dude.
    • Jeff Spicoli: Hey, Bud, let's party!
Submit a Fact | View All

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Fast Times At Ridgemont High Trivia

  • Jennifer Jason Leigh actually worked for a month at the same pizza place her character does in which 1980's high school movie?  Answer »
  • On Fast Times at Ridgemont High, what did Mark forget on his date with Stacy?  Answer »
  • Who were Sean Penn's(Jeff Spicoli)2 stoner buddies in Fast Times at Ridgemont High?  Answer »
  • What did Jeff Spicoli do with his reward money in 'Fast Times At Ridgemont High'?  Answer »
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