![]() ![]() It's an ironic twist, considering studios will now go to extreme lengths to nab the coveted PG-13 rating to secure the highly sought-after teen dollar. Before "Fast Times," films centered on teen stories weren't presented with authenticity to the characters' lives without mockery or dismissiveness. To reiterate Heckerling’s earlier words - “this is life.” Maybe we, as an audience, stand to learn a few things from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.Coming-of-age films are nothing new, but the "teen film" as we know it today is a relatively recent phenomenon, with 1982's " Fast Times at Ridgemont High" serving as the turning point for teen cinema. Films like Fast Times are incredibly important in removing the shame that society has forced upon discussions of female sexuality and reproductive rights. While the film does still have some questionable moments, there’s no doubt that it was lightyears beyond its time. Abortion is, and always will be, a fact of life.Ĭonsidering Fast Times was released amidst a slew of teen comedies that encouraged misogyny as a comical gag, the film stands out from the pack with its unusually progressive tone and authentic portrayal of a young woman exploring her sexuality. Fast Times shows us that the matter of bodily autonomy and women’s rights isn’t up for debate. ![]() Yet, Heckerling never portrays Stacy’s abortion as a plot point up for deliberation or a debate on morals, Stacy simply decides to do it because she is pregnant and doesn’t want to be. To this day, the topic of abortion is seen as taboo, especially now with the repeal of Roe v Wade in the U.S. I want to shoot this like life.” There is no scandal behind Stacy’s decision, it isn’t framed as something immoral or inherently wrong.įast Times plays a huge role in battling the stigma surrounding reproductive health care. In an interview with the original author of Fast Times, Cameron Crowe, he divulges that Heckerling said about shooting the scene “you know what, this is life. The seriousness of the scene is never dismissed, but Heckerling presents it more as something that happens in life. It’s quietly done, without any sort of after-school special melodrama, because that’s how life is. The sequence is directed with a complete lack of sensationalism. Being young and unprepared, Stacy decides to terminate the unwanted pregnancy. After a, frankly, disappointing sexual encounter with classmate Mike Damone ( Robert Romanus), Stacy finds out she is pregnant. While the film surely does promote healthy exploration of one’s sexual interests, it similarly warns us of the consequences of reckless, unprotected sex. Perhaps the most revolutionary moment in Fast Times is the straightforward depiction of abortion. Fast Times shows that teenage girls are also confused and horny, just like their male counterparts - and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Unlike most films of its time, Stacy’s enthusiasm about sex is never shamed or used as a plot point to cast judgment over her character. ![]() However, the true central character of the film is Stacy ( Jennifer Jason Leigh), a curious 15-year-old who’s eager to learn all about sex from her accomplished friend, Linda ( Phoebe Cates), and have a few experiences of her own. The film follows a myriad of colorful characters, such as Jeff Spicoli ( Sean Penn), the clueless stoner dude, or Brad Hamilton ( Judge Reinhold), the popular senior who just can’t catch a break. Generally, women in these ‘80s comedies were portrayed as little more than sex objects, yet in Fast Times, they are not only fully formed characters but active participants in the film’s sexual exploits. In more ways than one, the coming of age film broke down numerous barriers through its positive and authentic portrayal of female sexuality in a genre where misogyny was rampant.ĭirected by Amy Heckerling, this female perspective was key in delving into a young women’s experience in coming of age. While Fast Times was equally focused on teen sex and female nudity, the film is surprisingly progressive for its time. Films like Revenge of the Nerds, The Bachelor Party, and The Last American Virgin were filled with the raunchy exploits of bodacious babes and sex-obsessed dudes. Released in 1982, Fast Times at Ridgemont High was one of many teen sex comedies flooding the market after the success of 1981’s Porky’s. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |