Posted on 08/04/2004 11:39:44 AM PDT by grundle
Those who aren't familar with the 1991 movie Drop Dead Fred may be in for a real treat, or a major disappointment, depending upon your point of view. This is one of the most polarizing movies ever. All the major movie critics hated. A lot of the general public hated it. At the same time, there is a sizable cult following of people, including myself, who love it. Most people either love it or hate it - there are very few in the middle.
On the surface, the movie is a comedy. And as such, it's a great one. But at a deeper level, this is a very serious psychological drama.
Phoebe Cates gives the performance of a lifetime. Her acting here is amazing.
I love this movie. You may love it, or hate it, depending upon your tastes.
In its own way, this movie is a very strong proponent of family values. The movie shows that there are very severe negative consequences when people mistreat family members. The Phoebe Cates character suffers because of her husband's adultery, and also from having a mother who is very controlling and domineering. The Phoebe Cates character is given tremendous sympathy in the film, and we veiw everything from her point of view. Viewed in the proper context, this movie is a wonderful proponent of family values.
There isn't really anything political in the film. There is a funny crack about Marilyn Quayle's haircut, but that's all.
The movie is rated PG-13 for cartoon type violence, mild cursing, mild adult type situations, and a brief, comedic, non-sexual view of a man's naked behind. The movie definitely earns its PG-13 rating, so be aware that I have warned you in advance, if those kinds of things are a concern for you.
Besides Phoebe Cates, the movie also features Rik Mayall, Carrie Fisher, Marsha Mason, Tim Matheson, and Ashley Peldon.
Great television. And he was brilliant as the voice of Mr. Toad in the animated film The Wind in the Willows.
Kevin Kline, her husband, keeps her barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen. </sarcasm>
Yes, Dave had a big crush on her, she is a very pretty girl
Fast Times was one of the most immoral movies of all time---I once had a friend in high school tell me that it had some influence on her decision to have an abortion. The lead character gets an abortion and is "sad" for a day as if her pet dog was missing, and then was back to her usual self throughout the rest of the movie. As my friend learned, abortion isn't anything like a missing pet and is a decision to be regretted for a lifetime. I had forgotten about that until I watched it the other night and was appalled. Even the trash produced for the teen sect today doesn't treat the subject in such a cavalier way.
Sorry, had to say it
Their idea of a good guy is one who pays for his girl friend's abortion.
gremlins was a pro family movie, gizmo was like thier child and see what happens when you dont take care of your kid! it lays eggs and turns into a monster.
A good movie? You must be joking. I couldn't watch more than 20 minutes of that childish tripe.
Exactly. The only moral question asked was "did he pay his half of the abortion?".
With all due respect, I think that says more about your friend than it does about the movie.
But my friend was not the subject at hand. She was influenced by the way the subject was approached by the entire culture at the time this movie was produced. She was far from alone. Only after tens of thousands of women learned in a personal way that abortion was emotionally scarring was hollywood forced to avoid the subject almost completely. They certainly are not interested in telling the truth, so the truth is avoided.
She was great. She's busy raising her children which is normal and wholesome. While other Hollyweird actresses are acting out their "issues" on stage. She married Kevin Klein whose acting I've never much regard for. Her "exotic" looks come from being one quarter Chinese with some Jewish.
From internet:
Her father was of Russian Jewish descent, her mother is a Filipina of Spanish-Chinese ancestry
yarddog, you obviously did not see 'Fast times at Ridgemont High'
Pheobe has a role in that film that stayed in my mind since the film came out.
I saw it with my Wife and had to pretend I was bored. Well I actually was bored except for the parts with Phoebe sans clothes, and there was a lot of them.
meta, I didn't get the same view from the movie as that. I watched part of the movie again a couple of weeks ago and I mentioned to my wife that the character who had the abortion looked sickly and sallow for the rest of the film, insecure and troubled. Though I don't think that covers for the casual almost cavalier attitude they give the abortion, nor the irresponsibility of the idiot that got her pregnant, it is an almost subliminal warning. Attitudes are changing about abortion and have already made a huge turn since the early-mid 80's. With work, they will continue to change.
I have to disagree, but I did get the feeling that the original intent may have been to show the ramifications of free sex and abortion, but someone rejected that theme and kind of just ignored it and went for the "stoners are funny" angle. The consequences angle was so "almost subliminal" as to have been nonexistent in my opinion. It would have been better to just have avoided the unwanted pregnancy completely as it came off as cavalier. The character seemed more upset that the guy did her and forgot her than she was about killing a child which was never even considered.
I probably have a unique angle on FTARH. I actually bought the DVD because I teach college and I wanted to study Mr. Hand's classroom style.
I retired again and a friend asked me to substitute teach at the local high school. This was in a conservative area but I was shocked at how badly the high school students behaved. I wouldn't put up with it and did the only thing a substitute could do and sent a bunch to the principal's office.
I got them under control but it was just more trouble than it was worth and since I didn't need the money I just decided not to do it anymore.
The college students were absolutely no problem at all.
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