Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
83%RT Audience Score: 80%
Awards & Nominations: 2 nominations
While Fast Times at Ridgemont High features Sean Penn’s legendary performance, the film endures because it accurately captured the small details of school, work, and teenage life
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a classic high school movie that will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even shed a tear. While some critics may say it lacks a clear point of view, I say it’s a hilarious and heartwarming portrayal of teenage life in the 80s. From the iconic pool scene to the awkward first dates, this movie has it all. Plus, who can forget Sean Penn’s unforgettable performance as Jeff Spicoli? If you haven’t seen Fast Times yet, do yourself a favor and give it a watch. You won’t regret it.
Production Company(ies)
Hollywood Pictures,
Distributor
MCA/Universal Pictures [us], MCA, MCA/Universal Home Video
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
24124 Welby Way, Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
1982
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Mono
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 30m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 1982 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 14, 2004
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Brian Backer, Robert Romanus, Ray Walston, directed by Amy Heckerling, written by Cameron Crowe, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Ernest Leogrande, Richard Corliss, James Berardinelli, Variety Staff, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Nell Minow, David Harris, F.X Feeney, David Nusair, Matt Brunson, Rob Aldam, Mike Massie, R rating, Art Linson, Irving Azoff, MCA/Universal Pictures, MCA, MCA/Universal Home Video, high school, teenage life, love triangle, surfing, stoned, strict teacher, small details, school, work, American Graffiti, teen stories, teen audiences, sex, relationship, school issues, charisma of cast, iconic ’80s teen sex comedy, stellar cast, Cameron Crowe’s script, struggles of teenagers, Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Worldwide gross: $27,093,116
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $85,660,633
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,088
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 9,341,400
US/Canada gross: $27,092,880
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $85,659,887
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 824
US/Canada opening weekend: $2,545,674
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $8,048,688
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,012
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $4,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $14,227,705
Production budget ranking: 1,534
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $7,661,619
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $63,771,310
ROI to date (est.): 291%
ROI ranking: 470
Jennifer Jason Leigh – Stacy Hamilton
Judge Reinhold – Brad Hamilton
Robert Romanus – Mike Damone
Brian Backer – Mark “Rat” Ratner
Phoebe Cates – Linda Barrett
Director – Amy Heckerling
Producer – Art Linson, Irving Azoff
Writer – Cameron Crowe
Director(s)
Amy Heckerling
Writer(s)
Cameron Crowe
Producer(s)
Art Linson, Irving Azoff
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (55) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (43) | Rotten (12)
What it doesn’t have is a clear point of view, something that would make it of more interest than leafing through a high school yearbook.
August 12, 2015 | Rating: 2/4
Ernest Leogrande
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
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 to visit, but who would want to transfer there?
March 13, 2009
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
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.
June 10, 2008 | Rating: 3/4
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
TOP CRITIC
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.
July 18, 2007
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Was never all it was cracked up to be.
July 18, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
February 25, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Nell Minow
Movie Mom
TOP CRITIC
Fast Times at Ridgemont High broke down the barriers for Hollywood to tell teen stories to teen audiences.
February 8, 2022
David Harris
Spectrum Culture
Here is a portrait of modern high school life that speaks lightly but truly to the fears and trials of post-Watergate teens.
November 10, 2021
F.X. Feeney
L.A. Weekly
…an erratic yet ultimately rewarding endeavor that deserves a place among Hollywood’s very best high-school movies.
October 17, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
The comedy quotient just doesn’t cut it – in fact, it’s odd that this is always considered a comedy when it’s the dramatic material that resonates more strongly.
May 14, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
In many ways, Fast Times at Ridgemont High defined a generation of young Americans, excited about the future and what life may hold for them.
May 13, 2021
Rob Aldam
Backseat Mafia
With a hint of fantasy and a touch of romance, this small but memorable comedy proves immensely satisfying.
March 24, 2021 | Rating: 9/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins…
Plot
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.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels notes that Fast Times at Ridgemont High features Sean Penn’s “legendary performance” as Jeff Spicoli.
Amy-Heckerling.jpg
