Ferris Bueller's Day Off : How is this such a classic?

How is this such a classic?

This film seems to often be referred to as a classic, especially when referring to movies from the 80's-90's. I don't understand why, though. It is a good movie, but nothing more. Definitely not one that I would watch again and again. Maybe if I found it on television while flipping though the channels and there is nothing else to watch, but I wouldn't make an effort to watch it again. To me, Ferris is not much more than an extended children's sitcom/cartoon about skipping school.

Re: How is this such a classic?

People get a hard on for Hughes movies. Some of them are OK but that's it.

Re: How is this such a classic?

A lot of people were born in the mid sixties, the second baby-boom.
And a lot of them were in highschool in '86.
I graduated that year and this was exactly what I needed to get me through finals.
It has everything to do with timing.

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Re: How is this such a classic?

Without going overboard? This movie is the very definition of overboard.




"'Extremely High Voltage.' Well, I don't need safety gloves, because I'm Homer Sim--" - Frank Grimes

Re: How is this such a classic?

Seriously, it's a 'classic' just because so many people say it is. Imo, it's not terribly good at all and just really has no story of worth that couldn't have been told in a short cartoon.

Re: How is this such a classic?

Well, I loved it, and I was long past high school when I finally saw it for the first time on TV. I just thought it was hilarious, clever, the acting was great, lines memorable, the situations inventive and really unbelievable but who cared?, and it was actually quite beautiful to watch at times. It was a movie that made me feel good. The whole idea of life going by pretty fast and so we should take time to enjoy it was something I could certainly relate to. The scene in the streets of Chicago, a city I've visited and loved, was amazing. Ferris did things I never would have even thought of when I went to high school, but that made it all the more fun to watch. I can't believe it's been 30 years now since it was supposed to have taken place. I had my 96-year-old mother watch it on Netflix, and she thought it was very funny as well. So for those of you who don't get it, I just feel kinda sorry for you. These days, movies are often so dark, I guess this kind of story is just not what people are used to, but that doesn't mean it wasn't good or that it's not a classic, imvho.


"How was the war, sir?"
"As any war, ma'am, a waste of good men." (Poldark)

Re: How is this such a classic?

In my high school, a kid like Ferris Bueller would have been the target of much bullying, as would his nerdy friends. The embarrassingly unrealistic parade float scene is the final nail in a long-overrated borefest.

Re: How is this such a classic?

Some movies are not for everybody huh? Something you might think is a classic the next person might disagree with you. I know so many people who absolutely hate The Godfather and they don't understand why it's a classic or so popular with some people. Go figure.

Re: How is this such a classic?

I've never been a fan of this movie, and have never understood the appeal. But clearly, some people like it, some people love it, and good for them. Nothing appeals to everyone, and that's okay.

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WORDS MEAN THINGS! Also, before you come to bitch about a plot hole, rewatch the show/movie.

Re: How is this such a classic?

Ferris Bueller being "Classic" is a product of "Pop Culture", not whether or not YOU or critics like it. Ferris is up there with Animal House, National Lampoons Vacation and The Blues Brothers as being icons of the youth culture of their day. Being the 30th anniversary of the film, it is STILL actively celebrated by it's fans.

Re: How is this such a classic?

The fact that some people don't see this as a classic or at the very least an excellent and meaningful movie says alot about these people.
Ferris Rules! :D

Re: How is this such a classic?

I saw it with some friends recently, mostly born 1980-82, and I can see how it was a cool film in the mid 80s, and was pretty hip for its time. I dont think it is a timeless classic though, just a reference point for the second baby boomers, since so many saw it.

Re: How is this such a classic?

Exaclty. Just because some punk millennial thinks The *beep* Avengers is a classic doesn't mean this one isn't.





If I don't reply, you're probably on my ignore list for something I forgot already

Re: How is this such a classic?

The main reason it's a classic is because of the extreme display of advanced moviemaking technique. Camera lenses, camera angles, J cuts, L cuts, collage editing, a giant unbelievably ballsy parade scene, and so on.

The wide array of creative techniques are applied with such skill and precision that if you don't watch for them, they are invisible. But if you watch for them and appreciate them, it's a masterpiece of the art of film making, and that qualifies it as a classic.

Besides that, on the surface, it's great fun. Some people here complain that it's boring, I can't understand that at all. Nothing can please everyone, but if you can't have fun in this movie you either need some 4th grade fart jokes or else you should only watch action flicks.

Ferris is at least three movies in one, depending on what you watch for.

Movie one is a cinematic masterpiece, as described above.

Movie two is a raucous borderline slapstick comedy featuring an impishly charming young talented actor floating through a series of silly misadventures.

Movie three is what the plot is really about, but that focus goes over the head of most everyone here, and that is the story of a troubled teenage young man and how he struggles with his inner and outer demons and begins to find the courage to face them and work through them.

The loudest of these three is the comedy, and I would venture to guess that that is all most viewers have ever seen.

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Re: How is this such a classic?

Awesome writeup. Thanks for that.

Re: How is this such a classic?

I usually like smart MCs but for some reason I didn't like Ferris Bueller. Part of me wanted him to get busted at the end but alas it didn't happen. With that said, I really don't like the movie... sorry to the fans :(

Re: How is this such a classic?

'Cause it influenced me. My life was dramatically changed when I saw it.

Re: How is this such a classic?

You had to be there, in the 80's I mean

Re: How is this such a classic?

You are clueless. Go watch an Adam Sandler or Tyler Perry movie.

Re: How is this such a classic?

Well most of the people here say that the movie is classic because people born in US in the baby boomer generation feel nostalgic when they watch this movie.
Well I am a millennial, born and raised in India and I think this movie is lovely.

It has nothing to do with the people, this movie is genuine, charming little piece of some bygone era. It is light fun with some occasional quips of wisdom.

Everybody wants to take a day off. Everybody wants to get away from the humdrum and observe life before it passes away. And this movie provides an opportunity to live this vicariously.
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