Ferris Bueller’s Day Off *****

Director: John Hughes
Screenplay: John Hughes
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffery Jones, Jennifer Grey, Cindy Pickett, Layman Ward, Edie McClurg and Charlie Sheen

John Hughes was the mastermind behind quality 1980s comedy: “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”, “The Breakfast Club”, “Weird Science” etc. In 1986 John Hughes delivered another piece of hilarious comedy “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” which has became a cult classic, in which John Hughes comedic skills are clearly on display.

Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is a smart, rebellious and charismatic high school student who on a perfect summers day in Chicago hatches an elaborate plan to skip school with his best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and his girl friend Sloane (Mia Sara) to enjoy a day out in the city. However Ferris’ principal teacher Ed (Jeffery Jones) is determined to stop him.

To put it simply Ferris Bueller is just an incredibly fun movie to watch. There are few films which can force a smile on your face on a consistent basis and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is certainly one of them. Matthew Broderick plays the part of the lovable rouge brilliantly and with aplomb; skillfully imbuing Ferris with an infectious positive personality that effects all of those around him and the audience. A main source of the hilarity in this movie is Ferris’ asides. Whether it’s advice on feigning illness or Bueller’s unique,  insightful and amusing comments on life and his friends; these asides are always extremely entertaining. While this film for all intent and purposes is a comedy it does however have  deep and contemplative side to it with some poignant scenes which are just as entertaining. This reflective side is established from the beginning with one of the movie’s most famous quote: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”. This mixture of the serious and the comical only further enhances your enjoyment of the movie. Credit must go do John Hughes for writing a screenplay which blends these sides so successfully especially considering he only took six days to write it.

This film achieves a purpose which not all films do unfortunately and that is to simply entertain, leave the audience with a lasting impression and good memories. This is a film you will not want to miss, as there aren’t many comedies which can equal it and even less can surpass it.