Let's Talk - Movies

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) - Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

• Just Curious Media • Episode 5

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Let's Talk - Movies
Episode 05: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) - Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Jason Connell and Michael Estrella break down the classic movie and talk about malls in the '80s, Cameron Crowe's genius, and the film's near X-rating.

Synopsis: A group of Southern California high school students are enjoying their most important subjects: sex, drugs, and rock n' roll.

Director: Amy Heckerling
Writer: Cameron Crowe
Cinematographer: Matthew F. Leonetti
Cast: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Phoebe Cates, Ray Walston, Forest Whitaker

Original Episode: S01E05

Recorded: 06-10-20
Studio: Just Curious Media
https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

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Jason Connell:

Welcome to Just curious media. This is let's talk movies. And I'm Jason Connell, on the show. Today I'm joined by a special guest, Michael Astraea. Mike, thanks for joining me, era fellow filmmaker, and we're on the same soccer team, the beloved la nights. And it's really just a pleasure to have you on with me.

Michael Estrella:

What's up, Jason, I am so thrilled to be on board with this

Jason Connell:

awesome, man, I'm so happy to have you. So today we're going to be talking about Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a movie that's very dear to both of us. And

Michael Estrella:

growing up in Southern California, this really strikes a chord with me and had been a while since I'd seen it and to go back on it just kind of has really some inspiration, some moments I lived in my life. And hopefully we can share some stuff on his onboard here and review it as an adult rather than as a teenager. So I'm looking forward to it.

Jason Connell:

Me too. And yes, it has a very high rewatch ability to it. And it's a movie that you can revisit. Like you said, when we were teens, some people even preteens up into their adulthood, and I think it still works. And here we are talking about a movie from 1982 and 2020. So it's pretty, it's pretty awesome. This movie, as I just said, came out in 1982, directed by Amy Heckerling, and it was written by Cameron Crowe, who went on to become a pretty prolific filmmaker himself. So I always give the ratings Mike the IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes ratings, just to give the audience you know, just a little bit of fresh these movies are?

Michael Estrella:

Well, to me, it's like the golden tomatoes here. So whatever the score they give them, I'm just gonna just gonna go with it. Knowing that it's gotten the golden tomatoes for me.

Jason Connell:

Well, it's a 7.2 rating on IMDb, which is really good on IMDb, it's solid, it's hard to hold a super high rating on there. It's a 78% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Michael Estrella:

Pretty good, I would say. Very good and very good for talking about school. I mean, that's a c plus. But hey, pass or fail, you're passing.

Jason Connell:

Now 78. It's a better bell curve, seven days a very good percentage. And this is a comedy drama. And it came out August 13 1982. Now, Mike, I did not see this film in the theater, I would have been 11 years old and not permitted to do so. But I did see it on TV in the 80s. How about yourself?

Michael Estrella:

I don't recall ever seeing it at the theater either. I don't recall the first time I ever saw it. But I do feel like when I did see it. I felt like I was living it in certain ways. So I feel like I saw it at a pretty young age, probably closer to

Jason Connell:

12 years old. Oh, wow. And you were already living the movie?

Michael Estrella:

Well, I felt like I was just had that kind of like trying to figure it out as a young kid. You know, puberty was still a ways off. But you're still kind of looking at girls and trying to figure it out. And but as a I guess, then 12 year old, I was just beginning to think about, oh, what are girls about? And what is this stuff? And so some of the things that you would see in the movie, you've right over the head, but at the same time it was scratching the surface of what you're about to kind of get into. So it was kind of luring?

Jason Connell:

Yeah, we're still we're still asking ourselves those questions, Mike. Absolutely daily. And

Michael Estrella:

you know, going back into this, I probably would have been like, oh, yeah, watch it with some friends just to kind of have a good time. But I went back and it really did kind of make me think okay, well, who are you? Who are you now? And eventually, I was like, Wow, this script kind of actually really was pretty good. And it was pretty cool to notice from the female director. I thought that was pretty cool. So and we'll probably talk a little bit more about the soundtrack because that really stuck with me.

Jason Connell:

It's a huge part of the movie. And yes, we'll definitely get into all aspects. And and everything else. This is our chance to explore this movie from head to toe. So the budget for this movie, or Mike, do you want to guess?

Michael Estrella:

Let's just say 3 million.

Jason Connell:

Not too far off. Four and a half million, which had to be a ton of money in the early 80s. But four and a half million, and the US gross, which obviously that tells us if it was a success or not. Any guess on

Michael Estrella:

was that 2520 to 25 million.

Jason Connell:

You were very close again, Mike, almost $28 million. Now, I think that's us gross that those are numbers coming from IMDB. So I don't know how outdated that is. And it probably doesn't include all the other ancillary markets now with streaming, but obviously a success. Obviously, there's a good return on investment there. And I'm kind of surprised that it didn't launch a franchise but this might have been predating American, you know, it was predating the teen movie franchise, you know, where American Pie would pick up and do many, many versions. But and I'm glad I'm glad it didn't do that. So maybe, you know, way ahead of its time.

Michael Estrella:

Maybe I mean, you know in many ways

Jason Connell:

it was ahead of its time. So if you're going to talk about Fast Times at Ridgemont High you have to get into the cast. You look at this movie now and it's really hard to believe I could tell you hey, there's X amount of Oscar winners in that cast and you would just think really what? But check this out. You have Sean Penn wins an Oscar for Best Actor for Mystic River and milk. Nominated for Best Actor for Dead Man Walking Sweet and Lowdown. And I am Sam. Right. So there's Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh nominated for Best Actress in the Hateful Eight you have Judge Reinhold, who's a staple in the 80s Beverly Hills Cop. One and two and many other films. You have Phoebe Cates who did Gremlins Bright Lights, Big City, also an anniversary party. You have Ray Walston Rest in peace, my Favorite Martian, the steam great actor of his time, and now you have Forest Whitaker, Oscar Best Actor win for the Last King of Scotland. He was also in panic room, Lee Daniels, the butler, and Black Panther. And to round out the Oscars. Although he was only an extra in this movie, Nicolas Cage, he won an Oscar for Best Actor and Leaving Las Vegas and it was nominated for Best Actor and adaptation. So just take that what I gave you. It's an incredible list of, of super talented actors who were all just really beginning when this movie came out,

Michael Estrella:

I mean, just just to do a story on running the running history backwards to Fast Times it'd be even a story in itself right to see the line of where they all ended up and then run it backwards right into fast times the scene, Nicholas Cage, you know, playing an extra and barely doesn't have the music as a line in the movie, but does a bunch of nods and different things. It's it's quite remarkable. quite remote.

Jason Connell:

How did this movie propelled Sean Penn further, he never really touched his character again, obviously, not Jeff Spicoli. But he left a mark forever and cinematic history. And you know, that probably opened up the door and put him on his way he was gonna get there anyway, because he's that talented. You know, and Forrest Whitaker, he said in the movie a ton. But every time he's in the movie is captivating. You know, he's

Michael Estrella:

got Star Power. Each of those characters is so believable. In that part. They just were like, they were just playing themselves. It really, it really felt like that, you know, and just like just being themselves, it really felt comfortable. And, you know, I don't know how much she directed them into that direction, or if that's just how they were going. But what a crop of talented actors and actresses.

Jason Connell:

And that's what I always hear great directors talk about is like, it's all in the casting. And if that's true, they did it here. They cast it well, and I did their job. And it was a great script, and good directing great soundtrack. And there's a reason why this movie still holds up. It's not just one thing. It's many, many things with Nick Cage. Just real quickly to say about him. He was an extra in this film. He went on to be in some great films, like I talked about and won an Oscar nominated for another one. But it was just the very next year he landed the lead and valley girl. But it was the fact that he was only 17 years old when he was making this movie, which didn't permit him to take on the larger role that he was being considered for. And for those of you film nerds like myself and Mike and anyone else who's ever joined me on this podcast in the credits, you'll see Nicholas Coppola and that's because at that point in time, he was still using his actual name and he is of course, nephew to legendary film director Francis Ford Coppola.

Michael Estrella:

I mean big ups for him right just sent her I needed to separate this as much as he can, you know,

Jason Connell:

totally so before we jump into the scenes, which we'd like to go through, beat by beat of the movie and break it down. I want to just quickly to touch back on Amy Heckerling. She went on to direct Johnny dangerously National Lampoon's European Vacation, and clueless among other films. And she got this movie when David Lynch who was originally offered the chance to direct turned it down, saying it was a funny script, but not really his thing. So Amy got the job. And thank goodness it was her and not to say that lunch wouldn't have made it great in his own right. But I think it went to the right person who had the right sensibility found the adult tone in the film, and I wouldn't even say this is the high school movie. I guess you could say that. Yeah, it's a teenage movie, but it's teenage movie made for adults. You know, it's not just this teenybopper movie. It's not another Porky's. It has a lot of sensibility and character development. And at a time that there weren't a lot of these movies out there

Michael Estrella:

in 1982, that they're getting away. It's a few things that you normally wouldn't get away with. Now, in regard to what's allowable, not allowable PC and stuff like that, but did they you know, as we'll discover, as we go along, or they address some very serious matters, and at the same time, you know, cultivated a I think a way of looking at life as basic as it can be, and as complicated as it can be all in one.

Jason Connell:

Absolutely. Everything Mike is, you know, and filmmaking, Video Production Music videos, it always starts with the writing. And Cameron Crowe, he would go on and be a very prolific writer director, doing movies such as, say anything singles, Jerry Maguire, almost famous Vanilla Sky, and many others. He also would win an Oscar for Best Screenplay for almost famous and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture for Jerry Maguire. So, again, you look at the pieces that made this great movie, it's no surprise that we're still talking about it. I mean, these are like, camera crows up there in the echelon of writer directors. And this is where he really got is, for the most part, his start,

Michael Estrella:

you always wonder how the writer gets in the, into the mood or gets the information as to what they're gonna put down there, sometimes through experiences and stuff like that. But as I've learned, and maybe you can shed some light on how he went about getting his writing materials is actually pretty cool.

Jason Connell:

It's amazing, Mike, and it's so amazing. I kind of was on the fence about do I share this in the beginning? Or do I put it at the end of the trivia section. And now that we're talking about it, I think we're gonna put it here so the audience can hear this earlier in the podcast. Here it goes. So the concept for this movie actually started back in 1979, when Cameron Crowe returned to high school at age 22, to observe to infiltrate and to write a book about the high school experience. So he registered under an assumed name with a corp with the cooperation of the principal, who was the only one to know the secret. And two years later, he had created a hit book, and titled Fast Times at Ridgemont. High A True Story by Cameron Crowe. Now, Crowe did change the names of the school and the students, but the screenplay would go on. Sorry, the screenplay he would go on to write were loosely based on the events and the characters in his book.

Michael Estrella:

I mean, can we get away with that today? If we want to go do that kind of stuff? Really? I mean, that's brilliant.

Jason Connell:

It's amazing, Mike. I'm jealous. Really. I'm totally jealous. It's like, like, Where was he inspired to do that? That's absolutely, like, after I saw the Breakfast Club, which I probably saw it a more apt age. That movie impacted me on a very deep, deep visceral level. And yeah, I was like, wow, I was already I was in high school seeing that movie. So I thought, My gosh, this is fascinating. These characters, I'm around this, but Cameron Crowe had his own sensibilities, and then in the 70s, and decided to go in and make a book about it. Yeah, he was like doing incredible journalism, and almost a documentary style before people were doing it. But you know, that he went on to work for Rolling Stone and became a great writer, and almost famous is kind of his biography in a way. So he was just hardwired for it. And he had a good idea, Mike, and incredible execution.

Michael Estrella:

I mean, he's 22. And he's thinking like that, that's, that's the way to do it. Right? You know, you're thinking, okay, at what age did were you mature enough to go, Hey, this is gonna this helmet approach this. So you know, yeah, hats off to that

Jason Connell:

very bright guy. Anyway, he was destined. Some people were destined for big things, and Cameron Crowe was among them.

Michael Estrella:

And just imagine what didn't make the script. You know,

Jason Connell:

I've never read the book if you read it, but haven't I'd be interested to read the book now. It's far enough away. And just to hear some of the stories that really happened. That'd be kind of fascinating. All right, Mike. So I took something from trivia, but I think it's nice to throw it up top. And now we jump into the scenes of the movie.

Michael Estrella:

How can you not when when you start off with the Go Go's, and that song just gets you going right off the first five seconds? 10 seconds. 15 seconds. You're just like, what is this all about already?

Jason Connell:

Like, you're so right, we open at Ridgemont mall, aka Sherman Oaks Galleria. And it's an 80s. Montage and you're right. To the gogos. What song of theirs?

Unknown:

We Got the Beat. Yeah. It's great.

Jason Connell:

It's as a way for us to well, who doesn't love a good 80s montage and this movies got a lot of them. This is a great way Mike to open a movie because you get to meet the cast. Although you don't even know that the cast yet but you're focusing on them. You see a little bit of everybody. You also see lots of denim. It's the 80s you see arcades shirtless arcade players, and you just see the mall. And Mike, are you a mall rat as a youth did you spend lots of time at the mall? Did you go to this mall? You

Michael Estrella:

know, I was just far enough outside The LA county line to not get into the mall over here in the Valley, which, you know, I, you know, I don't live too far from there now but as a kid, yes, the mall was where it's at. And I remember going to it. It was the place to be. And I always remember, at least for us, it wasn't Paris pizzas in Paris pizza in this movie. Oh, yeah, Paris pizza plays a big part of this movie. For me. It was Bob's Big Boy eating the melted cheese off of the cheeseburger wrapper. That was the biggest thing. So I get it. Like there's some association here. And that, you know, of course, the arcade games, which was endless.

Jason Connell:

The arcades are great. And the food court I was always at the mall to for certain times in my youth is like, pretty much we didn't have a car. So you could get dropped off at the mall and youngsters or preteens or teens could be entertained for hours. And I would go to the south roads mall or the promenade mall and hang out with my friends, you'd see movies, you could go have food in the food court, you could talk to girls, you could be you could look at girls, you can hang out your friends. It really was just an incredible place. And I'm sure we bothered. Every adult and every family that was there because we're just a bunch of loud kids.

Michael Estrella:

This is why I think this movie just really resonates with me, because I remember after the mall, meeting to girls, and they were you know, we were probably like 13 ish, and you know, went to 711 to get a big goal next to that. And they were talking with us, and we went in with them. But when we went out, they went with the 16 year olds who had cars and left us hanging. And so there I was like rat rat there. I'll take it personally. Yeah, you guys like Ratner in the parking like, well, what the hell like I didn't have the right attitude. So it's pretty

Jason Connell:

nasty guy. Totally, man. Totally.

Michael Estrella:

Oh my gosh. So yeah, the mall lives on. Immediately, we

Jason Connell:

meet Mike Demone, played by Robert Romanos and Mark Ratner, played by Brian Bakker. They're fantastic in the movie. And they're actually key players in the film as well. But so Mark works at the movie theater, and Demone is a scalper if you will I love Mike when Mark's ripping tickets, he says smoking sections upstairs. I do not remember a time there was a smoking section in the movie theater. Mike, do you?

Michael Estrella:

I don't remember that necessarily. But I know what happened. You just weren't it was just like this is the norm. So. So you have to kind of like smile at that or smirk at that and go oh my gosh, like, really? That's how it was going.

Jason Connell:

As if the non smoking sections not infiltrated by smoke. They're not they're not smoking sections, not watching it behind a glass window. They're probably upstairs and maybe smoke rises. But come on seriously. Like I do remember going on a flight in the 80s. And there was a smoking section on a plane. That makes even less sense.

Michael Estrella:

Well, not all the 80s made sense, right.

Jason Connell:

That's what we love about them. That's why we exactly revisiting them. So now we're at Perry's pizza, and we meet 15 year old Stacey Hamilton, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh. And she's at that point now she's interested in men. And here comes Ron Johnson. What a name. And she's interested. So Linda Barrett played by Phoebe Cates who has more experience and she's got a fiance in Chicago, and she's kind of pushing, encouraging Stacy to, you know, go talk to him and kind of this is time for you to meet guys. Yeah, and

Michael Estrella:

you wonder, okay, this is how girls really did it, then is this how they really did it? You know, we get we get a real piece from a female directors perspective, we see how, okay, this is how it was going down. And we also see like, Oh, this is the vulnerability Part Two already coming up early. Right, you know, and, and, and you see the innocence already coming up.

Jason Connell:

So the just really, to me, again, just diving into like, really setting up the characters right off the top and to your point 15 year old Stacy who lies about her age and she says she's 19 is interested in 26 year old Ron. And this age difference is illegal and is not right. And Ron should do a much better job of really getting to the bottom of her age. But you know, so it goes and we'll revisit Ron here shortly. So now we cut to all American burger, which is now a coffee bean on San Vicente and Brentwood. Which now I want to go visit of course, just just for the sake of it, but I'm sorry that I have never made it to an all American burger. But we meet Brad Hamilton. Stacy's brother. And this of course is played by Mr. Judge vinyl, and he's dating Lisa. And he seems in charge Mike, you know, I love how he just kind of feels confident and all American burger and then he confronts Jeff Spicoli, who is incredible in this movie, as I talked about earlier played by Sean Penn, and he's joined by Eric Stoltz and Anthony Edwards. So these guys come in to all American burger and what do they do first thing?

Michael Estrella:

Well, of course, you're gonna have to take your shirt off, because that's just what you do and Surf's up.

Jason Connell:

It's hilarious. They don't even get in line. This is not a sit down restaurant or a waiter comes by and takes your order. They don't hit him and go to the front, they just come in, take the shirts off, and sit down and start talking. It's hilarious. These guys have their own agenda. And so here comes Brad. And he of course, points out the classic sign, which says, Do you remember what the sign says?

Michael Estrella:

Something like no shirt? No shoes? No, no, no dice is out. It is not

Jason Connell:

so good. I love it. It says that and they think it's hilarious. And, you know, they actually asked and I guess they put their shirts on. But yeah, it

Michael Estrella:

actually shows that they kind of respect judge, you know what I mean? They're like, Hey, he's gonna judges the cool dude. He's kind of like the mayor of sorts, you know? And,

Jason Connell:

you know, the mayor of all American burglaries, senior in high school, and yeah, you know, and there's those dynamics at play here. So, I like it. I liked that scene. But that's it, because boom, the next shot. It's time for another montage. Tom Petty's American girl plays. And we're at Ridgemont High School, which is Van Nuys High School for most of the movie, was some scenes also shot at Canoga Park High School, and I even read, there might have been some scenes at Torrance high school. So they made their way around the Valley and beyond to to create this.

Michael Estrella:

I mean, how cool is that? If you go to the schools, these are like, you know, this movies, kind of old, but these kids, you know, they're like, oh, yeah, by the way,

Jason Connell:

I would be very I would wear that with a badge of honor. Had I gone to one of those high schools? Yeah, it's a great montage. Like you said, toilet paper, things happen. And you do see a quick shot of Nick Cage, or Nicholas Coppola. Yeah. And then Brad comes rolling in. And it's classic car. Again, man about town, Mayor of the high school. And then you see Demone and he's working it. He's always working the angle. He's, he's talking to someone about scalping tickets. And then you see a great van roll up and Mike, take it away.

Michael Estrella:

This is the most epic scene perhaps when Spicoli and his two buddies just kind of spill out of their Volkswagen bus with just all kinds of smoke coming out of their vehicle. And oh, yeah, they just kind of fall out as if like, hey, you know, we just got stoned off our asses. And now we're gonna go to school, go to class. And it's a perfect setup. And it's a perfect setup. Also, because it it also introduces another car with character as we'll find out all these other all the other talent have a particular cards that really relate to who they are. So it's a pretty, pretty cool scene.

Jason Connell:

It says it all. And I think one of them says, Did you hear a bell? I mean, they're just so stoned. I mean, there's lots of stoner movies to follow. But this is where it started. I can't think of a stoner movie. I mean, this isn't a stoner movie, but these characters existing before this,

Michael Estrella:

and you know, not having never been stoned in school. To me, it still seemed cool that they were stoned. You know what I was like? Okay, I mean, think that's just kind of, oh, they're the cool guys, I guess. But I do have a story, a true story, based on one of the when I was doing some shoots here in LA, I always, if I see guys that are in the later part of their career, I always usually try and go up to them at some point, usually during lunch or something. I said, Hey, man, what's the first movie you worked on? Or what's the most interesting shoot you've had? And there was a point where one of the John with the way not quite, not quite, but one of the Teamsters said, hey, yeah, well, I worked on Fast Times at Ridgemont High and so automatically, I'm like, Well, what do you know, tell me a story. So he's like, but he said, Yeah, basically, Sean and the team they they were stone when they came out on it, that was all real. That was all real. So maybe I'm spreading rumors, but this is coming from a Teamster who worked on the show who was just being straight faced about it and said, Hey, and we all know teamsters know what's

Jason Connell:

up. Now. I don't doubt it for a second. There are scenes that I'm going to reference as we get into it, that his eyes were so bloodshot if he wasn't stone, they did a damn good job of making his eyes appear to be stone. So you probably nailed it right there. Yeah, getting into character getting into character and it was it served him well. And speaking of Spicoli I love the scenes of him and Mr. Hand, I even read that Sean Penn was purposely agitating Mr. Hand to play by Ray Walston. And it worked. His agitation probably got to him and it created that little bit of you know, chemistry they had with one another. It's just great to see him. He comes in late Mr. Han wants nothing to do with this stoner in his class. He even has a great line because, as you know, would you call them Spicoli? isms? Yeah. Yeah, he has so many great lines in this movie. In many of them, which I also read or ad libbed, So, kudos to Sean Penn, he brought a lot of this character to the table himself, for sure develop this character himself for sure. He says, After Mr. Han rips his card won't let him in the class. Do you remember what he says? You dick. It's so good.

Michael Estrella:

As we go into his character deeper and their relationship and all that, I think it's important to note that the director probably via the writer Cameron started out Mr. Han by saying Aloha. And I think that's so key that that's the first thing you hear him say, Mr. hands into play later, you will definitely see that and there's so there's you start as I started going through this, I'm like, Wow, this script really has meaningful moments. And the words that will always intertwine later, and then I'll try and bring these up as we go just to certain parts of those, you know, even Aloha. Yeah, right. And even backing up a little bit at the school, when they were all thrown totally parallel that you'll see a couple featured books that the director put in there. That may not everybody may not even be aware of, you know, but there's some feature books that carry some weight, you know, for mister hand, it's what truth and liberty. That's his book, you know, and then earlier on, they saw giants John Steinbeck's the pearl, which is a novel novella about human nature, greed and evil that one of the students is holding. So you'll just see all these little pieces that are in there that you may not get the first time around. Yeah, that should go back.

Jason Connell:

I love looking around what's going on? I no longer look at the main characters. It's like, Oh, tell I'm spotting Nick Coppola or Yeah, the book like you said, I love things like

Michael Estrella:

even the even in the class, that globe, like, don't tell anybody this, but I still have that globe from when I was a kid. There's a globe and Mr. Hands class, there was a school globe, they held on forever, and I saw that thing and I'm like, Oh, my God, I don't throw anything away. I've that glow from from way back in the day. And you're just like, Okay, those are specific things that really resonate.

Jason Connell:

Well. Mike, I won't tell anybody but you just told everyone who listen to this podcast. Well,

Michael Estrella:

okay. Thanks for keeping maybe keeping the secret

Jason Connell:

when I invited you on. I don't know if you understood that a podcast isn't just me and you will be shared. Okay. Sorry, I should have given you a full disclaimer. I'm sorry. That's my Okay. Well, we

Michael Estrella:

can start over. So we're good. Okay, yeah, reset back to one. We're

Jason Connell:

good. Lastly, in the scene, as I was saying earlier, before we got recorded before we started recording, this is the first comedy of this show, let's talk movies. And I realized that a comedy with a bunch of different players. There's a lot of scenes, where in other movies, we're following the main characters, you know, beat by beat. So we will have to speed up some of these and maybe lose some scenes just so we don't have a record breaking podcast and length. But missing was piccoli is Mike, he's wearing shoes that he would make iconic to this day. And please tell the audience just what those were. Would it be

Michael Estrella:

something of like black and white checkers on some amazing vans that everybody had at some point?

Jason Connell:

That is right. And yes, the slip on vans, these things, they raised the bar, they set the bar. I mean, I had lots of vans, I still have vans, I've gone to lace ups, I've changed. But any time I see someone wearing black and white checkered, that's all I can think about is Fast Times at Ridgemont. High. What is

Michael Estrella:

it a kind of a phenomenon that like, yeah, I want to wear the same shoes that some stoner wore. It's just, I mean, it's just phenomenal. You're like, That guy was cool. And he's just stoned all the time. So I want to emulate that. It's pretty amazing. What

Jason Connell:

did he do for vans isn't company I mean, I've never tried to look up the backstory of that I did when I was doing some research on risky business, which will definitely be an upcoming episode on Let's Talk movies. There's a future plug. I remember looking up how Ray Bans when he wore the Ray Bans, and the movie sales skyrocketed to Ray Ban, which was also kind of floundering at the time, but I don't know the economic impact on vans because surely this sent their sales soaring.

Michael Estrella:

Oh, of course. Of course. Everybody wants to be the cool guy or the cool girl.

Jason Connell:

So now are lunch and more sex doc and sex pressure from Linda, who's now teaching Stacy to do what Mike?

Michael Estrella:

You know, I'm gonna just say I don't know what they're doing here. I'm gonna leave that one up to you Jason answer because I don't know for some reason I don't remember what they're doing with the carrots. I think that's what it was. But you can let us all know because I don't really recall exactly all Stacy

Jason Connell:

is a virgin and admits to London the scene that she's never given a blow job. And so, Linda shows her how to do it with a carrot. So she does. Unbeknownst to Stacey there's a table full of horny teens to the side to see her and and give her a raucous applause when they see her doings, and that's what you do at that age, but at the time, I know it's we can look back and say very lowbrow. But it wasn't lowbrow. I listened. I enjoyed the Porky's movies. And I hate to bring those back up. But they kind of set the stage for that type of horny teen last movie. This is not that movie. But it has these scenes that they're more grounded. And they crossed that line. And we just hadn't seen things like this in a movie at this point in time.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah. And I think that's a great point. They're just bringing up stuff that really what happened, and things that kids would discuss and things that wouldn't be discussed with other people. And you're just like, Okay, finally, they're actually talking about stuff that's real. And reflecting that which I think we, I think, most filmmakers, that's why we make film is to get out what's real in and really get out to push the envelope and kind of do that stuff. But this, this is a great opportunity. Jason, if you're open to it, I really think this is a classic example of what I see as the teacher and the student relationship across this movie. Obviously, there's Mr. Hand, and Spicoli. Right. That's an obvious type of connection there. There's also Stacey and, and Linda, so she's teaching her she's trying to learn from here, then you've got Mark Ratner and Demone. Demone is like the teacher trying to teach Mark Hey, this is how you do it and, and marks looking up to demand as to what he's doing. And and so there's a teacher lessor, and then there's also judge, Judge is actually he's a student, I'm sorry. Yeah, Brad, is actually the student to what I consider like the system. Like he's learning from the system and the systems trying to teach him. And so as we go farther into this whole discussion, if we could just keep those things and most people want to keep those things in mind, you'll just see like, wow, there really is something going on mentorship out in a way, in a way.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, no, you're absolutely right. It's a good comparison. We do have these tandems and that's why this movie bounces around. And there's lots of scenes, because we're constantly moving all of these characters forward. And you're right there right there little tandems and sometimes they cross over as and we'll get into certain things, other characters, develop relationships with different ones. But those those bonds remain the whole movie. And it's a very good point. Yeah.

Michael Estrella:

And you see some shifts, the things start to shift as we go through all these episodes. Yeah, pretty cool.

Jason Connell:

teenage angst kicks in. And that will always shift things a little bit, just a little bit. Next mark, meet Stacy in biology class. This is a small little saying, but I also like when Mr. Vargas comes in, rest in peace, Vincent chevalley. I always liked this actor. He was in lots of TV shows and movies, but he is he has left us but he's left his mark in this movie. And I liked that. He's just switched to sanka. So please forgive him because, Mike, I don't know if you're aware, but sanka is decaffeinated instant coffee.

Michael Estrella:

These little humorous, little blurbs are just to me, like the quiet laughter. I don't even know how to explain it. You're just like, that is really funny. And you don't have to laugh out loud about it. It's great. And I wonder if I wonder if his native one of these. If they said Mr. Vargas. I wonder if because during that time circus Vargas like it was a circus. And I wonder if that's how that name came about. I have no idea. I was just thinking like, why would they use Vargas? Because it always has a reason. Right. So I just wondered, I have no idea. But anyway, so I thought,

Jason Connell:

and so bam. Now we're at jamones house and he's giving much to your point. Love advice to mark? Who's intestacy. And so I love this and I liked it. He's kind of coaching him up. And my I also love the decor and Simone's room. Devo. It's amazing Evo. Devo car party at the stop sign you have tattoo you the Rolling Stone album? It's an amazing MTV inspired room

Unknown:

and a small bar.

Jason Connell:

Oh, yeah, small bar.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah. Like what do you wait hold on a second. This guy's a small bar and he's what's 1716 is pouring drinks like was a collusion something like that. I can't remember he's born. But But one thing I noticed was like, he actually has a car door as a headboard or something like that. It was really weird. I was like, is that it was like oh, I have to go back and it was really strange because he had a he had a rim in his car in his room.

Jason Connell:

Even up to the mound, but he

Michael Estrella:

that scene is one of my favorite actually. Because it's great. It really speaks to like, what it speaks to demands security, like his confidence, but underneath it his insecurities. And it speaks to like, yes, the trust that rat has with him. And one of the I'd ask you one of the lines into this delivered is unbelievable. One of them that demand delivers. I don't know if you recall basically saying that, like a quote says that the idea the attitude dictates you don't care whether she comes, stays lays or prays, whatever happens, your toes are still tapping. So in other words, just get laid and just make it happen. So I thought like, wow, that's, that is kind of how teenagers think sometimes, and adults as well, unfortunately, you know, so absolutely true. And here's here's, so here, we have one character, Ratner, who's trying to look up to this guy. And he's like, Yeah, and

Jason Connell:

this is the advice is good.

Michael Estrella:

Because once you try, like 30,000 times your label to get you're liable to get some egos. That's the attitude. Oh, my God such,

Jason Connell:

now that you bring this up, I do find these two such an unlikely duo. I mean, it works because one is in they're both insecure, and they hide it differently. And they're both outcasts in their own way. But they also don't make sense. You know, these two guys, they really don't and, and their relationship is tested throughout this movie. But yeah, I would more likely see Mark rat Ratner mark with like, more nerdy types, more bookish types. I don't know how he befriended Demone, the perceived cool guy, but it works in the context of this film. But I would say it's probably an unlikely friendship, you

Michael Estrella:

know, life. You know, I don't know, Jason, I think domains kind of the loner. I don't think anybody takes him seriously. And he's finally got someone who does. So he

Jason Connell:

kind of that's probably why it works because he is alone, or he knows everybody, but he's not close to anybody. But here's the guy that this guy's not threatening. So I'll bring him in as a friend. But that's exactly why it works.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah. So So you know, for a comedy. This actually has some pretty dramatic, I think writing in it.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. And well, in addition to character development, these are really flushed out people characters, not just your Oh, that guy works in the movie theater. He's a nerd. That guy scuffs tickets. Now, they're, they're a lot more complex than that. And that's what Cameron Crowe really got, right? Yeah, these characters. Yeah, just really amazing. And you may not know them, but you recognize traits, and people that you went to school with, or you grew up with, and, and maybe even in yourself. So now we have Stacey, and she's sneaking out. And before she does this, I just want to point out this one quick thing as Stacey is you don't know she's laying in bed, her mother comes in, tucks her in, I think she gives her a quick kiss. And then she exits the exits room. And that mic is the only time in the entire film that we see a parent of one of our cast members. I mean, later, we hear the moans mother on the phone with Stacy very briefly, but there are no parents represented in this movie. So you know, to your earlier point, we have these connections and these mentors, if you will, and we have enough teachers, but no parents, they didn't even it's because his house, the father is sending in his little brother Curtis to a wake up Spicoli. And it's never that that usual confrontation you see in every movie with teenagers, you know, it's quite a

Michael Estrella:

unique approach that is rare. It really is at all. And maybe that's why it's so effective. Because you don't you don't ever get in the situation. say well, what would the parents think of this? Or what would they be doing during yes, you're like, No, that just

Jason Connell:

we know what they're gonna do. I think they Crow and Heckerling had the wherewithal to know what they're going to say. And we don't need that. Well, you're gonna go to college next year. Let's look at the brochures you those scenes exist in other movies. I'm glad they don't exist in this one.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah. And less casts that helps.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, they I mean, they already had enough people to develop. So yeah, so just just to say that really quickly, her mother leaves she reveals underneath the covers that she's fully dressed, and she's sneaking out of the house to go meet Ron and they had to the point. And Mike I don't know if you know where the point is in this movie, and Seino Little League fields, and we play some of our soccer matches not too far from the sale and next time we have a game over there. We might have to go by and just take a photo of the old Encino little leagues dugouts. Now we have Ron and Stacy setting up in the dugout Mike and this is a groundbreaking sexing accompanied by Jackson browns. Somebody's baby, which really represents a loss of innocence. And right here and now. Stacy is losing her virginity.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah, and I don't know how you can actually live To know that song and think of anything else besides that scene, once you've you've seen that happening, and and, yeah, and just to see this young girl who just really wants to experience this so she can talk from experience. And this guy who's just some guy, you know, but to her it's like, and then she goes through this, this act. And she sees the top of the she sees the interior rooftop and it says certain Nazis. Yeah, just like what you know, it's just like that's how random things happen sometimes that it just isn't that magnificent? Or maybe it is, you know, but it entered to touch on that topic with a man who's over age and a girl who's underage. And for that to happen for Sunday probably didn't want anybody to see that is regard to viewers. And for others are like, No, this is real. This happens. So kudos to the filmmakers for at least exposing this.

Jason Connell:

Absolutely. Yeah, Ron's not a bad guy. He's just a 26 year old stereo salesman who should have gotten to the bottom of her age and then took her word for it, although she doesn't look 19 And even her at 1926 19 you could kind of do an eye roll, although legal. But yeah, this crosses a lot of lines. And, I mean, it's, I mean, it's rape is what we're seeing in a statutory rape, but, but we're doing Stacy's story. And she was really trying to connect and live up maybe to what Linda, her mentor in a way. She's so experienced, and she kind of wants to experience it. And here she is, you're right, that bam, surf Nazis. She'll reflect back on her virginity or losing it. And that's the image that comes to mind with a light bulb and a leather jacket and some dugout in Encino. And everyone's got their virginity stories and this is Stacy's.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah. And I think it's a huge it's something that's huge in the movie. But what follows after it, you kind of wonder like, Okay, well, how do teenagers deal with something that is, that happens like this.

Jason Connell:

Yes. So we're at school, and Stacy is sharing with Linda that she's no longer virgin. And she also tells Linda that it was painful. And Linda says, Keep doing it. It gets better I promise

Michael Estrella:

of right. And as we as we find out as things go, that Linda is kind of speaking from maybe not necessarily experience, maybe she's just talking from what she thinks is like, we don't we just don't know, yet. We feel like we know, but we just don't know. So like, who's really the teacher here who's really the student who's really learning from who, who's being honest about it. And then we have one young girl, you know, Stacy, who's just trying to figure it out.

Jason Connell:

What does that same? Do as I do? Not as I say, so, yeah, she's listening to her. But you're right. We don't know if Linda is really experienced, or she just wants you to perceive her as experienced. Yeah.

Michael Estrella:

And and try to remember back to any conversations you had as a as a teenager when it came to sex. And like, you know, like, everyone's trying to figure out like, Well, yeah, man, like, of course, you know, the girls are probably like, well, maybe or even just like, what is the dialogue that happens?

Jason Connell:

Well, I think they would put on Fast Times at Ridgemont High to help them learn as a parent, if I had kids, I would cook. But why not? If your sibling movie, this movie actually could do some good things. You could put this on, he could put days to confuse on Breakfast Club on and it will definitely help educate and enlighten young man,

Michael Estrella:

it's a comedy about serious issues. Kind of a cool thing.

Jason Connell:

But it's a comedy drama. Let's let's be fair. No. And I was not joking about putting it on. These could be conversation starters. Now this movie is becoming dated. Although we both agree. And I'm sure our listeners and anyone else in the world would agree this movie holds up. But movies can sometimes help those conversations happen and this movies dealing with these adult themes in a very delicate and earnest way. And yeah, and listen again back to the cast. Jennifer Jason Leigh, is incredible on the role of Stacey. You know, we just take it for granted. It's so good because she's that good or bad to

Michael Estrella:

start seeing how her characters developing and getting some confidence and starting to move out into the world. Yeah, there's an art for her. Absolutely. Yeah. And you I think you nailed that there too is like you really believe like this girl is that innocent? And then you kind of see it make a kind of a turn. So anyway, the the conversations that are brought up are serious conversations through comedic lines. It's great how they just keep doing that. Over and over and over.

Jason Connell:

I love this next scene, not because it's serious or anything, but just I love when Brad is washing his car, we have the opening shot of the car stereo, and it's playing the Ravens raised on the radio. And this dolly shot our handheld shot of him running the sponge down the side of the car. And it's like, it's magic hour. And Brad just couldn't be happier. And he just embodies this. It's almost like a music video of him washing the car. He's so proud. You know, a few more payments, and this baby's all mine. You know, he's got a job. He's got a girlfriend and Brad has never been happier than in this moment right now. And I just love it. They just

Michael Estrella:

pretty funny how they had him dance for one of the segments. It's kind of quirky, but you just like yeah, yeah, when you're a teenager, you just do some stupid stuff. That's because you're so happy about certain things. So that was kind of a cool, cool nod.

Jason Connell:

And the songs perfect raised on the radio, it's it's perfect. You know, it's, you know, everything to put it on. But when I put it in the scene and you know, mixed it with the visuals, it works. It's great moment. Now Stacy comes home. So this is the first time you've seen them interact when we know their brother or sister. Well, maybe we know because we've just seen the movie so many times. But I guess this is the first time you're seeing them interact. So now the audience is aware of their brothers sister. And she goes in and what does she find? waited inside

Michael Estrella:

the roses the red roses of course. For one Ron juggle RJ right. But But, but Brad's so cool when she goes back outside, right? He's like the coolest cat so

Jason Connell:

cool. Because Stacey can't keep these this would be way too many red flags with the parents who barely exist in this movie. But she doesn't want to deal with it gives him to Brad to get rid of and so he does. And he in turn, Reagan smashed his

Michael Estrella:

his girlfriend at the pizza joint. I mean, he's a pretty smart not that he's a pretty smart dude. And and that's right. So and nobody sees it as like a slime ball. I mean, I didn't see it as a slime. I was like, well, let's put these to use. You cares about he cares about his girlfriend, somebody better get the best out of it.

Jason Connell:

She does ask him where they really for me and a white lie in that instance is okay. And the same scene Brad is now sharing with Arnold this new hire about his plans. I love that he's another another example of mentorship. He's training Arnold how to get with the All American burger way. But he's sharing his plans, how he's going to break up with Lisa. He just gave her roses. But, you know, he's a senior and he wants some freedom. Now we've been together for two years. I just love the fact that he's sharing with this guy at work. And

Michael Estrella:

this also brings in something that kind of felt throughout the movie as the importance of these relationships, the teacher and student, but also the car, the cars that are in this are big, but the food is such an unbelievable motif of sorts that runs through this that is so humorous when he's talking to him about you know, hey, my life's pretty good again. He's flipping a patty and it kind of falls off. And then what's the guy what's his buddy's name? He's trying to again tell him that Arnold Arnold while he's telling the Arnold you know these flipping on life's pretty good you know and sex microphones great and which is all lies and stuff like that. Arnold while he's doing all this smells, the bun, the hamburger bun. And it's all this little like, think simple things that kids would do that just shows you like, man, they're just kids, but they're talking about things to them that are like the ultimate biggest thing in the world.

Jason Connell:

We also learn what the secret sauce is that all Americans. Exactly, exactly, which is 1000 Island dressing. And then the other one was what Ken Bronco burger. He also Arnold divulges because he left Bronco burger to come to all American burger. And it was mayonnaise and ketchup, which is very similar to 1000 Island but just but it that's their loyalty to each other version intelligencia that ever. They were sharing secret sauces. Yes, I love it are back at school and Mr. Hand is handing out test scores. But I love Mike that he's announcing the scores as he hands them to people. So you're not gonna hide his class. He's gonna call out bad grades in front of me within

Michael Estrella:

like a little shade. A little shame to get everyone's possibly motivated. I don't know about that.

Jason Connell:

Let's assume Mr. Hand is and he notices because he's missing so he sends someone out to get him and they trick him into attending by telling him there's a birthday party waiting for him which is classic Spicoli but Mike, I love when he comes in the room. And he's got a bagel tucked into his pants and he's holding his infamous Vance. So he's barefoot. I just love this. Like this is you know, this was total Sean Penn. And by the way, his shirt is unbuttoned and it's just like bare chest. You could never get away with this in my high school. And he's there was far too uptight. And by that time, but I just love that this is a coli, he might have been his own living

Michael Estrella:

and like him. He's like, what, what, what? Something?

Jason Connell:

What's out? Now Mister hand coins the phrase? I don't know, that's because he's lying to him, puts it on the chalkboard, which would later become a track by Jimmy Buffett. It's also in the film and on the soundtrack of the same name. And it's also known as Spicoli theme. It's a great song, if you've and I'm not a, I wouldn't say I'm a huge Jimmy Buffett fan by any means. But I've always liked the song because it doesn't even sound like Jimmy Buffett. It's the I don't know, I don't know which way to go. I don't know. It's a great song. And it really is football.

Michael Estrella:

You know, it is his theme song. But it also is everybody else's, too. It's everybody's it's everybody else's. Absolutely. It's

Jason Connell:

any teenager, or most people in the world. You know, what sometimes we just don't have absolutely. But again, you know, self included myself, as well. We're

Michael Estrella:

trying to figure it out here, right, like, as we go through this, but it is a major, I think, I don't think it'd be plot point. But it's a major message delivered through that what's written on the board and through that song.

Jason Connell:

Yes, yes. Three Little Words. mean so much. So now we have a Christmas montage as we've moved into the holidays. And I love how this kid is on Santa's lap. And he's peed on him, which is hilarious. And we learn Ron has stopped calling Stacey. And Linda is trying to cheer Yeah, it was bound to happen, Mike, it was bound to happen.

Michael Estrella:

It happens to every young girl. And every young guy in some form. It seems like but yeah, what what's the conversation there? She I think Linda starts talking about what do you want to do? Marry them and then become 50 and have it and he's he's bald and you have an have some kids or something like that? I was like, yeah, 50 embolic. Man, that's not too far off.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, yeah, but these are teenagers. 50 to them is, you know, eons and we'll

Michael Estrella:

see the dynamic again between one of them trying to teach the other one at least hold each other's hands in their own little way as to how to step up. While while Linda is still struggling with her reality have not been able to see the guy who keeps leading her on or her dreams. And there's some reality that you're setting in.

Jason Connell:

Now Charles Jefferson, the infamous Charles Jefferson is inquiring about Earth Wind and Fire tickets because Demone is a scalper and can get these tickets but he doesn't have any right now he's going to keep his eye out for these tickets, compliments him on his little brother. And you can kind of see right then and there. Spicoli comes over and befriends Charles's younger brother, and they go off and play video games. And you can tell the Demone who now he's talking the most popular person and all of Ridgemont High is like, whoa, taken aback. It's kind of like a celebrity talking to Charles Jefferson. In fact, one kid who he's trying to do business with, who's wearing a Led Zeppelin shirt, which I love, says, Wow, he actually goes to school here. I thought he just flew in for the football games. So that just says Charles Rankin, and they're like about Charles like he is a big time prospect. And everybody knows him. Now Demone when that when Charles walks away Demone is now encouraging mark to go talk to Stacy

Michael Estrella:

at Paragon here again we see the old Damone that's supposed to know it all telling mark is just like a sponge absorbing all these things and not necessarily believe in all of them but just getting that curd is building up a little by little by little Yeah,

Jason Connell:

yep, I got this credit he goes over you know, it's kind of awkward looking for a jacket and I'll buy another one but then gets her number he does get her number and I gotta give him kudos to that. I also liked the fact that the customer before him bought a slice of pizza for $1.05

Michael Estrella:

That's what I'm talking about right there so that was probably 99 cent it was probably six cents tax way back then they anything six cents might have been three think yeah maybe was six but maybe you're right case it was nearly a buck. That's not bad.

Jason Connell:

But what what

Michael Estrella:

a great like just that scene this kid who just has nervous kind of to finally go up and ask the girl for her number like, do you ever remember doing that as a Can't like oh man, like, is this gonna work out is like you're, you're like on an island and you just got to be with this one person and there's nothing else in your mind. And you're just like, am I going to succeed or am I going to fail. And the way he set it up with just using the jacket was just like so or whatever I got, I can just tried to make this work. So it's a lovely seeing.

Jason Connell:

Now, though, it was really scary moments. And this was a threshold for Mark to cross over. He had never asked a girl for her number before. It's odd. So

Michael Estrella:

now he's probably like, oh, man, Timon is actually kind of helped me out here, in a sense, you know, just getting that kind of

Jason Connell:

he needed Demone do encourage him and push him up to that. Yeah, he needed it. Now, Brad is removing some graffiti. Which do you want to say what it says? Well,

Michael Estrella:

it's it's hairy. Rise was still see.

Jason Connell:

It's a big more areas to see yet another. Yeah, that's just on the surface. But what's going on is He's rehearsing his talk, or his upcoming talk with Lisa in the mirror, which is really good. And while this is happening, Arnold comes running. And he's got to use the restroom and says, Hey, would you come in to register for me? And when he comes out, Mike?

Michael Estrella:

Well, we see a, what we'll find is a disgruntled customer who is expecting that they're to get their money back because they didn't get the 100% guarantee on the food, which is a big bold sign. Yeah, that's in the restaurant.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, it couldn't be any bigger 100% guarantee and Brad being

Michael Estrella:

like, the total, you know, guy that does everything by the book in a pillar of the community type of dude and wants to be totally correct within the corporate world, and do all this stuff has a you know, wants to go by protocol. And this, this person who's eating, there's not going to have it, by the way, that guy that they cast is spectacular. He's gained his voice and his mannerisms. He's so he's such the irritable, like, pain in the ass customer

Jason Connell:

that anybody would not want to have just reached inside the register and get my money back brand. You know, I just I wasn't so good. And then Bradley, well, you ate most of it. And I'm gonna have to get a form here. And yeah, he's clunky. He doesn't want to break the rules that easily could just give him but he's trying

Michael Estrella:

to do the right thing, right. But he's trying to do the right thing. He's trying to figure it out on how to do the right, the

Jason Connell:

right thing would be to go get his manager and step away, but he gets mad. And he, he loses. He's trying to

Michael Estrella:

handle it himself. Like, as a grown up or not? I don't know. But yeah, he does kind of snap a little bit.

Jason Connell:

And he can kind of see the people in the background. They start Oh, you know, looking up as things commotion builds. And yeah, that's a great payoff for Brad, he grew up a lot in that scene. And yes, he did lose his job. And I haven't liked behind him next to the 100%. Guaranteed sign. There's the employee of the month. And it's Brad on, which is great. You're firing Brad, this is our top dog. But he crossed the line. And this is just a job. And he's in the system

Michael Estrella:

and another shot to letter teenagers confidence, right, as they're just trying to figure it out.

Jason Connell:

So I thought I handled that differently. No,

Michael Estrella:

I've been fired in their life. And what is that feeling? When you feel fired? You just feel down and out like the whole world just crumbled, you know, especially at a younger age, if you've been fired for you know, something like that. And so you see him leads into the pool and some other things. But

Jason Connell:

you do see Nicolas Cage and Nicolas Coppola and the kitchen quick shot to him. So he's at the school and he made it in this scene as well. So he works at all American. Yeah,

Michael Estrella:

he got his couple of frames in there.

Jason Connell:

Next we have our only dream sequence in the film. And Spicoli is having an incredible dream. I mean, Mike, this is just so textbook's piccoli. And now he's just I love the setup is he's talking to a sportscaster because he's just been triumphant at a surfing contest. And then these two like swimsuit models next to him, but I love the fact that they put Sean Penn like, at a lower level. So he's much shorter than these women who are towering over him. There's just something about the stage you know that it's just so great and

Michael Estrella:

that you know that having grown up in Southern California, I don't you know, I don't know if that cuz you knew student Ayaan was but he was a local sportscaster in LA. So that really he was a he's an amazing sports caster. So for the locals in Los Angeles, I like it even hit harder. I mean, even hit closer because you're like, oh, yeah, let's make it even more realistic. Right. Let's get the real sportscaster in there. So as soon as Oh, okay, awesome. So though other people might thought he's just an actor, but no, he's actually a real sportscaster in Los Angeles.

Jason Connell:

Well, I thought he was a real sports caster. I thought for ESPN courses, this predates ESPN, most likely. But no, he's fantastic. You know, wells to all tell you, I love it. And I haven't likeness because he's like, once you get that jacket, and I get what he wants to say, I got to network and he just wants to continue the interview. But it's just such a great scene. And I'm so glad to have the presence of mind to put it in the film.

Michael Estrella:

And so that dream sequence is, you're like, Well, is he actually this really happening? And they I think they played it out? Well, you didn't know just off the top if that's what was going on.

Jason Connell:

Now we see your classic school assembly, which for the most part, are often very lame and anticlimactic. But while the assembly is going on, and the cheerleaders are sharing their disappointment with the student body, Brad has lost his confidence. And it all happened with losing his job takes his edge off a little. He's come down a few rungs. And he's trying to now Mike reaffirm his love to Lisa, he's no longer the guy rehearsing the breakup in the mirror. He's trying to latch on to her because he can control you know, something, not her but the relationship, and which is kind of interesting. And just to point out one thing that Lisa, you may or may not know, is played by Amanda Weiss, and she had a very similar role and better off debt. When she played Beth, who dumped Elaine Meyer, played by John Hoosac. And to take it further, she played a different Beth on cheers in 1985, and two episodes where she dumped woody played by Woody Harrelson. She's number Beth, Beth was the prototype girlfriend who is going to dump you. So that sets the stage for what happens now

Michael Estrella:

you see, you see just a total table turn here, right? You see him prepping for one thing in order to deliver a blow and the next thing you know, he's basically been prepping himself to not necessarily receive the blow he was going to give. And so she ended up in a nice in the nicest way possible. Basically says, Hey, I've taken exactly what you what you've been thinking. And I'm going to actually execute this before you. So you see him just beat down even more now. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

he can't believe it. He's just like, what? It always hurts more to be the dumpee than the dumper. But had he not been knocked down a few rungs not lost his job. And the earlier theme. Maybe if she brought it up first, it would have been a conversation that could have been a very amicable breakup. But yeah, he takes it as another slight like now the world shifted. And Brad, you know, the guy who was washing his car just a few seasons ago, is no longer that bread. He's no longer there's definitely

Michael Estrella:

a shift right? As to like his empowerment and he's no longer the man. He is now just a guy who's losing it. You know, wears it on his sleeve.

Jason Connell:

Hey, Ryan, where are you working? Five Mile American burger guys come to him to get jobs like Arnold. Guys probably look up to him. He's dating Lisa for two years. So yeah, he's not he's lost both of those things his senior year. And, yeah, Brad's path has deviated. What's he going to do? We will soon find out. So now we're back at the mall and Demone gives Mark dating advice and I love this Mike. I love this. He uses a Deborah Harry cut out to illustrate his five point plan. This is a screen on so many levels. A Deborah Harry? absolutely one of my childhood crushes. Blondie. Are you kidding me? He

Michael Estrella:

gives five points here demote, which I love that name. By the way, Damone gives five points right, to operate from and the fourth one, I think it's the fourth one that I always kind of really, I think can stick with anybody. And it was something to the effect of like, always make the girl feel like where you are as important, or the place the place to be. And you'll Oh, well. Yeah, that's so basic. But

Jason Connell:

Demone was ahead of his time he was he was being present. And we all struggle and want to be present and that that was his way of doing it. I just I'm right here and this is where I need to be and that is a good way to go through life. So demands wisdom wasn't all lowbrow it had some. Some that

Michael Estrella:

is? That is a really good point. I didn't bring that up. He was present. And that's super important. That's really good point.

Jason Connell:

And his fifth point is also amazing. Which is whenever you have the chance put on side one of Led Zeppelin four. This takes us right to I like this cut. I love these cuts, these hard cuts you go from that kind of advice to done Anant stone and we're in the car, we're already in the car not gonna knock on the door. We're already in the car. Mark is driving Stacy's next to him. And Led Zeppelin plays on the stereo.

Michael Estrella:

And of course, they're uncomfortable silence between the two.

Jason Connell:

And he's got it really loud. So it's not even just like on it's on to a degree that is not even a talking level. But because he's taking the moans advice in. But one little trivia thing here, Mike, what's playing is cashmere, which is not on Led Zeppelin for it's on physical graffiti. But the moans advice is if you have the chance do this. So for whatever reason, and I know the reason but Mark didn't have access to that. So he put on physical graffiti and cashmere is an incredible song. But the true reason is they just didn't they couldn't get the rights for Led Zeppelin for

Michael Estrella:

so they must have shot it. God said the lines and like

Jason Connell:

it's in the K shot. Line. Yeah. Yeah, could have said, always put on side one a physical FET. But no. And so it's kind of a cool little tidbit. But still works. It's great sandlot Zeplin. Because you just don't hear Led Zeppelin and movies very often. And they go to Burroughs famous Italian restaurant. And Mike. I just love the way they sit in these super oversized chairs, and they look like little kids at the kid table. It's just so it funded. It is

Michael Estrella:

such a way of communicating age and the socio economic being of them. And through a nonverbal type of just a strict visual, you know, that just really says a lot. Those two chairs says a lot about those two,

Jason Connell:

Mark discovers that he forgot his wallet sneaks away to the restroom to call Demone his one buddy. You know his best buddy. He asked him on which mic it also cracked me up the Demone is home on a potential date night. Could have been another lady could have been set scalping tickets are on his show. But he's at home and watching TV in his room. So Mark calls and asked him as a friend, can you Demone ask your mother to borrow her car, go to my house, get my wallet and bring me my wallet. And so he does it good friend. Good for

Michael Estrella:

ya it he's nervous as hell, that he's not gonna be able to pay for paying for the meal. I don't know if you've ever been there. You're like, Oh my God, I've got the girl of my dreams here. And I don't have any money to pay for this. What am I going to

Jason Connell:

do? And it's interesting, again, not to rely on parents in this movie. That's we don't do that. I mean, in reality mark, well, in this day and age, you could be on a farm, you can do so many things. But you know, he would think his first thing would be called haul mom and dad, they'll swing by keep it low key. But he doesn't do that. He calls his buddy to get him out of a jam. And so yeah, it's interesting that we don't bring parents in. And I'm glad we didn't. But there's a reason for this because everything is purposeful as in crows writing, is because when he comes Demone meet Stacy. There's kind of a there's a little spark there, Mike, I would say just a hint. Yeah, the gaze is just a loop. Like he's cool. While she's attractive. Because he's seen her from afar. She works at Paris pizza, but to see her out on a date with market just as he takes a bite of

Michael Estrella:

a squirting.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. What was Frank? Yeah, he's, he's kind of a rude guy. I love he acts like he's there. Oh, you come here. Oh, yeah, I'm here. Hey, I found your wallet. You may want this so

Michael Estrella:

clunky. It's just he calls him out in front of in front of the girl who calls him out. Like like a jerk. But like, okay, that's kind of what you do with your buddies anyway, you can dig them.

Jason Connell:

And so they leave. And he's taking Stacy home. And conveniently her parents are traveling, they're away. And she comes in and Mike she has him helper, unzip her blouse or dress. She goes and changes and puts on like a rope.

Michael Estrella:

Yes, she doesn't mess around anymore. Now somebody that grew up real fast, suggestive.

Jason Connell:

That was intentional. It wasn't like I That's amazing. So but you can tell that. Mark is very unconvincing. The sandwich. I think that

Michael Estrella:

little something that the director did there with hurt him helping her unzip the back of her blouse, whatever. It reminded me of, I believe was an ice storm. When Christina Ricci is in that and there's a there's a point where she He, there's another teenager there, I think this is correct, where she bends down or something like that, and a little bit of her crack of her rear comes out of there. But they're longer pant line and a kid sees that. And it's those little things when you're a teenager, you just see that little something. And then like, your hormones are kind of like what's going on here. Like there's something going on it for something that just capturing that little moment of innocence, but curiosity, but you don't want to be a bad person, but you aren't interested in this physical thing that's happening that you don't even know how to control it. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

it's a great moment you went out and it definitely happens in the sequence. Yeah, he's never done this before. He's crossing lots of lines here. Or he's having a lot of first. He's never been on a date most likely never got a girl's number. Never unzipped a girl's blouse or dress and never been in a probably a girl's house under the circumstances. So a lot of firsts for him, it's moving really fast for him. And this leads to his, well, his and hers. But for him, it's his first most likely their first kiss.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah. And it's, it's, you know, I can't I love how it's crafted, like, we've watched these, these movies. And these moments be like perfectly set.

Jason Connell:

But But of course, it goes too far for a young mark, and it gets a little too. I don't know the hormones are kicking in. And because Stacy was definitely inviting more to happen. And based on lenders advice and experience, and you know, she's probably ready to have sex at this point in time, not really understanding it, but ready for it. And Mark has to get out of there. And he makes a beeline for the door and he's

Michael Estrella:

gone. Yeah. And you, you kind of want to feel for him. But you kind of gotta go, You know what, that's what it's like to be a kid.

Jason Connell:

So now we see Spicoli and Charles Jefferson's little brother taking Charles's car out for a drunken spin while he's out of town.

Michael Estrella:

I mean, there's so many nuggets in this, but one of the funniest ones, there's two of them. But one of the funniest ones is when they're, they're driving along. And Spicoli, of course, is like the cool guy, but he's drunk, and he's swerving all over the place. And Jefferson's younger brother, you know, they're both high, too. He's like, sparkling that was a red light. And he says something to the effect of like, but it was like a yellow a minute ago or something. It's like, you know what he's kind of right. And that's kind of really funny. Those lines are priceless lines that you hear from kids.

Jason Connell:

So true. And this sequence leads to a pretty good stunt sequence, actually, the car going way too fast. So it's because he loses control. And it kind of leads to I would say, like a one car accident, thank goodness, because they probably could have killed somebody. It swerved to miss someone and they go through what appears to be like road work that shut down for the night. And they're going on the side of the road. And this car is this is like a scene out of chips. Like the car goes airborne. And when it lands, like, you know, this is pre airbags as well. These two guys are our beloved Spicoli and Charles Jefferson's younger brother could have been killed. But they survived. And immediately young Jefferson knows that this is going to bring the wrath of his brother, who by the way is this incredible football star badass. So what happens Mike give me some Spicoli isms.

Michael Estrella:

Well, there's a few of them there, but I Jefferson's younger brothers. Basically it says, you know, you're my brother's gonna kill me gonna kill my No my brothers. And that's because like, why? What do you mean? And then he's like, my brother is gonna kill you or kill us. And then he's like, Well, what's he gonna do shit or kill you kill us? He's like, 30 is gonna shit then he's gonna kill. You just see this kid is so scared. And it's the calling because he's so calm on either so high and talk leads into like, you know, some ridiculous like logic in his mind. That guy's logic is like everything's fixable in my head because his father is what like a television repairman has old

Jason Connell:

television repair and it's got an ultimate set of tools. Yeah, like he's no idea how to work on a car. But since there's some sort of tools and yeah, we could solve this. Hilarious. Yeah, he was really stoned. I think when he always the optimist, always the optimist. Now, I will say and I don't want to spoil it. When they really decided to solve this problem. They came up with an incredible I mean income radical solution. But we'll, we'll hold off on that for right. Yeah, it is. It

Michael Estrella:

is remarkable.

Jason Connell:

It's a remarkable idea. But the television repair kit is not going to do it. This car is in bad shape, Mike. Yeah, not even close now back at school, and there's yet another mini montage because its rival week. And Ridgemont is set to play Lincoln. And Mike, I love the montage. Everyone's getting ready and things are happening. And school prides, you know, comes to the forefront, but there's these pins. And they say, assassinate Lincoln.

Michael Estrella:

Just straight straight to the historical reference. Right, right. historical reference. Perfect.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. And it's been long enough that you maybe get away with that. But maybe, maybe not in this day and age, but hilarious in the 80s, you could wear that around about a president who was assassinated,

Michael Estrella:

and I'm so glad that female directed this, because it I think it gave it a different angle as to what what envelopes were being pushed. Like, even during that montage. You know, they're all talking about sex, their sex is a topic and you're this, you know, undeniable, you know, young kids and all that. But there's a shot of this girl walking with a leakin shirt on, and she comes towards us and she's not wearing a bra. And it's full, like frontal of a girl in a shirt. And you're just like, that was a female's perspective, like, Okay, I'm just gonna put it out there. This is how kids are. And this is what it's about. And if there was just no, right, screw it, this is what it is. And, you know, for the guys, and

Jason Connell:

and what's that say?

Michael Estrella:

Isn't it killing it like that? Yeah. Right. And so, which is

Jason Connell:

also right on the nose is like, they took the historical reference to heart. But good point on, you know, what you're bringing up? Yeah. So

Michael Estrella:

I think it's, it helps push the story along as to just being not from a male perspective, I think really helps.

Jason Connell:

And so not that we had to hold back for long, because the plan is in place.

Michael Estrella:

So basically, I think, kids get super creative, right. And they might have done this with a party. So it's these, you know, high school people have these parties, and they blame it on somebody else. If something is broken within the house, because the parents are gone. They say the dog did it or something like this. So these guys take this to the nth degree, right. And they instead they park, they pull the completely demolished car into the front of the school where everybody's around it. And then they've spray painted on this car, like,

Jason Connell:

like Ridgemont sucks, and all these things, you know, degrading their school, and references to Lincoln Lincoln rules. So yeah, they didn't shy away from the fact are they've portrayed it that way that this was stolen from the best football player at Ridgemont. High in probably the local area. And Lincoln did this. And we're proud of it.

Unknown:

What a setup,

Jason Connell:

what a setup, what a complete setup. And then forest gets poor suckers losing his mind when he sees this. And you can see the blood boiling. So that wonderful, successful plan, you see Spicoli and Charles's brother kind of like smiled at each other, like, nailed it. I got away with this one. Yeah. And now we're at the football game, which you know, now it's Ridgmont versus Lincoln. And Charles Jefferson has the defensive game of the century, I think, in this instance,

Michael Estrella:

yeah, he's pretty amped up and he takes out all that animosity and anger and takes it out on the other team. And it's always fun to see how movies portray football games and the tackles and some of the stuff that goes on and and he just mutilates the other team but to see the shaking body on the field that happened he's tackled so it's pretty funny. Pretty funny. I love

Jason Connell:

this sequence being a huge football fan and having played football growing up and I just love it so much and rage about high winds 42 to nothing and he exercises all those demons still doesn't have a car but I guess insurance

Michael Estrella:

Yeah or no no, he's late you got the car for free right they bought it for him like alumni or somebody bought it for him so he's gonna get another car. Oh, that's

Jason Connell:

true. I the donors have probably already said I think he's even spiking the ball at the end of the movie is they're all celebrating which you know, and they're carrying him off it he had the game like I said of a century so and I like this movie can just deviate and have the storyline that it's its own self contained thing but this will be rounded out this is high school there's lots of moving parts and you can't cover it all. And it's kind of funny to also see Spicoli and Charles's brother in the in the stands rushed and they're just like happy that the plan is even serve them all more with this huge brand. Yeah, they feel good about this is they feel good. Behind the Scenes behind the curtain or orchestrating this win, so yeah, so maybe Spicoli has some sort of future. He, you know, he's now outside the box thinker. And who knows what he could come up with.

Michael Estrella:

I mean, he's got some he's made some pretty smart decisions like he knows how to get out of his stuff.

Jason Connell:

Thank goodness he has fast reflexes to not always pays off. That wreck could have been worse. Had he not had his cat like reflexes, right? That's right. Yeah. Yeah. So now we quickly see Brad, he's got a new job. And he wears a pirate costume as he's working at Captain Hooks, which was in Northridge by Ah, okay

Michael Estrella:

Northridge. Got

Jason Connell:

it long gone. But in Northridge, okay. And so we just know that that just sets things up for seeing that's coming later. But Brad has joined the job force and has a job probably feel a little bit better about himself. And, at least for right now. And so now we're back at Stacy's house. And Stacy and Linda are there poolside when Mark and Simone poppin which they do in high school, you know, such as such as a pool. Let's pop by go for a swim son invited on invited and somebody's got his pop in Yeah, you know, fill things out. And I think Linda is just like, she's also in high school, but you can tell that she's more like a college girl. She doesn't look at these guys as her. Yeah,

Michael Estrella:

she's dated or older guys, counterparts.

Jason Connell:

She dates up. And she doesn't want to have this tomfoolery. But Demone comes in I like that he pushes mark and the pool takes his hat off thank goodness but then shoves him in the pool and we and I was just teenagers at play. That's all we got going on here. Until Brad comes home. Yeah, and I just said he was feeling good about himself but I think the pirate costume and the fact that he is single so he's not old bread just yet. I think he's happy he got a job. But I think he feels like a fool in this costume. So Brad comes home doesn't have Lisa anymore. And the last thing you want to do Mike when you're not feeling good about yourself is to be around others especially hot

Michael Estrella:

other here's.

Jason Connell:

Well, here's Stacey with Linda now two guys, he doesn't know they're all go to the same school but Brad's a senior and he just wants to come home. He's got some stuff to work on. And he's just kind of dejected. I don't know if he's sad is is dejected. And he's just focused on what he needs to do. And demoed even says, I don't know if you heard this line or not. But he's like who says Taylor? And just a little, just a little shot? That everyone else?

Michael Estrella:

I don't recall that line. Okay, that's pretty

Jason Connell:

off camera has little here. The I think that's kind of funny.

Michael Estrella:

So little shot. Okay, that's now like that one.

Jason Connell:

Mike, this sets up. As many great scenes are in this movie. This sets out the quintessential scene in this movie for what it's remembered.

Michael Estrella:

And it's also driven by a great song by a great Yeah, so basically, Brad's pretty down on pretty down on himself while the kids are, like you said, are out in the pool area. And he kind of just decides to go inside. But he decided to take a little peek outside to see what's going on out there. And he actually sees Linda out there in her hot red outfit. And he decides to kind of, I would just say, You mean bikini Yeah, bikini. So he he decides to take his imagination to an interesting place kind of privately. And then a major fantasy sequence begins on the queue of the cars and the name of the song. Moving a stereo and slow motion comes to life. So basically, his fantasy starts to have it in front of his eyes. And if that fantasy is kind of blown, blown up, and probably one of the most embarrassing moments.

Jason Connell:

It is amazing that Linda dives into the pool. And so as she dives in real time, and you can tell that Brad is familiar with Linda, even when he was dating Lisa, you know, he's probably always said internally at least maybe to his friends. Linda is kind of hot. You know, that definitely was said because he's he knows her right away. She dives in the pool as she comes up. And real life she has watered her ear, but now Brad's fantasies kicked in. And yes, she slowly walks to Brad with a wonderful song, the car song going and opens the bikini top to reveal her breast which again the time Mike for the time. This is a scene that teenagers and probably older talked about. So it was just so iconic when they played this on TV, these scenes get cut. Yeah, it was just so groundbreaking you know they did the edit for TV. You're only gonna see it if it was on HBO, the full the full versions, but she slowly walks to him. She says his name and they're making out and the real estate's he's now gotten out of the pool water in the year, and says that you have any cute tips and oh yeah, they're on the restroom, and then she goes in the restroom. And yes, to be caught masturbating is a low point. And to be caught masturbating by the person you're masturbating to is probably more rare. And that probably is a whole other low, I should share the fact that I've listened to the director's commentary on this film, and she does devolves the fact that Judge Reinhold, unbeknownst to Phoebe Cates had a dildo in his hands. And when she came in, he turned to show her and so her reaction was real. Like Wilma, it caught her off guard so much that that's why you probably got some of that incredible facial. Oh, my gosh, good method acting there on judges bar.

Michael Estrella:

Wow. Well done. Well done. Class, I guess all the all the Cinema Secrets. But yeah, absolutely a classic scene that it's definitely burned into a lot of people's minds.

Jason Connell:

So now we're back to Mr. Hand, who's teaching class when the pizza guy shows up. Another classic scene. And back to my earlier point. Another great idea by Spicoli Spicoli has ordered some pizza, Mr. Han, and the opening sequence was real big on no food. And Spicoli has continued to break that rule when he brought the bagel in. And so he ordered this pizza. And this just pushes Mr. Hand over the top.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah, way, way over the top. And it just hits more on that food on them food motifs when it happens. And in those two have a very good moment. But I have to say also the casting of that pizza delivery guy. The way he was talking, just had a special, special something about him that really nailed nailed it. I thought he was great. Cast whoever he was.

Jason Connell:

So I'm so glad to bring him up. Because I've always loved that actor and to research him for this episode. I didn't realize he had passed away and tailored and grown. And I also remember him being in better off debt. But this actor Anytime he's in a scene, Mike he tends to steal the scene is not even happy to be there. But he's happy to do this because most delivery guys would not take a pizza to a classroom. He'll do it. But he's gonna let you know. You're putting him out.

Michael Estrella:

Yes, great. And know the mindset and to know the mindset of that person is is is to know your characters, right? And then that really helps push this. Yes. So pretty good. So back to Okay, so back to this classic. Yeah, exchanging my time, your time and pizza time?

Jason Connell:

Yeah, that's it. Learn about Cuba having some food. And Mr. Han is having none of it. But I do like Spicoli his reasoning. You know, he's like, I've been thinking about this mister hand. And if I'm here and you're here, isn't this our time? Very good logic that makes Mr. Hand go. You know, all right. You got me there. You got me there. Here's what I'm gonna do. And once you do, Mike,

Michael Estrella:

well, he's basically says what's it's also my class. So at that point, he then you know, takes the pizza from Spicoli it says, All right, so since this is my class, and it's all our times, it's going to be all our pizza and basically shares it with the class

Jason Connell:

and speaker his last line, which I didn't say, which was certainly there's nothing wrong with a little feast on our time. Yeah, so he gives a pizza out and it's because he's just kind of beside himself, just like oh, man, one upped by Mr. Hand. And I know you've talked about food but with Spicoli to me it's always fashion as well. Yeah, this top he's wearing those became legendary in their own right. I don't even know what you call that thing. But everybody had one all this is kind of a punch. Yeah, it's like a poncho. Yeah. So now Demone walks Stacy home. Mike, this is bad news bears. have no business walking home a girl that your best friend has the hots for True. True. And it doesn't stop.

Michael Estrella:

Well it's this is a I think it's a very important part though in their characters because it has the Mon says while the squirrel is Stacy's talking says, Hey, my friend really likes you. And he feels it and you feel like you know what? He's actually good guy. He's going to tell him this girl like, Hey, look. And then she switches it on him. And gullible guys, at whatever age by an attractive young girl says, yeah, he's a nice guy. But I think I like you. And in that very moment, the shift happens where he was a good guy, or at least trying to be a good guy. And now he's leaning into questionable guy. And she ends up going with him back to the house.

Jason Connell:

Had they talked and, and Mark shared the fact that I had a good first day with Stacey but not going to call her he doesn't know what to think. And they talked it out. Enough time has passed, okay. But we're still in that unquestionable time, and not cool. But Stacey is making the moves. She's out exploring her sexuality. And as far as she knows, she hit a roadblock with Mark. I don't know if they've ever talked that much. But she feels that she scared him away. And so she's moved on. And she can do what she wants. But she's moved on to Demone. And so he mentions the fact though, do you have any iced tea, you know, Dimos is so cool. Because again, wherever he is, is the place to be. And so whatever someone says is, you know, act as if so, and this leads to another groundbreaking nudity. And sexing.

Michael Estrella:

I think it's a big point for both the characters. Because one of his lines comes back and bites him. And that line was a line earlier that he talks about, no matter what happens, as long as it toes keep tapping. You know what I mean? And in this scene where they are intimate, in the back pool room, every kid across every nation has either down in the basement, in the back of the car, wherever you are the cornfields of wherever. There's that place at the

Jason Connell:

dugout of Encino, Little League, wherever.

Michael Estrella:

And this is the point where we really see with what is Demone who he really said he was. And there's a scene there where his toes are tapping while he's now be he has socks on right. But while they're having sex, right, and I thought this was like, this is another great story point that circled back that the director circled back on there was like, yeah, exactly. This is and you may not know it. Oh, it's a shot of the feet. Okay, great. But that was really telling you the story of who he was. Yeah, that's good. No, that just didn't have the experience he thought he did. And then he's whether guilt sets.

Jason Connell:

It's also obvious he's not as experienced as Ron Johnson, RJ is we like to call him is because this is a very How do I say? A very quick sexing. Right? I mean, the Stasi doesn't even know what happened. And she's like, you know, yeah, I guess the terminology would be premature ejaculation. And obviously Demone is not as experienced in these things is he's led us to

Michael Estrella:

believe I mean, the song doesn't even get through the first verse. I don't think

Jason Connell:

now. We queued up. Jackson Browne, somebody's baby. And I like the way it just cuts out. Yes. And as he finishes, it's a really nice job that did that. Yeah. Demone can't get out of there fast enough.

Michael Estrella:

What do you think it's because he's ashamed of that? Or is a shame because it's his buddy, or both? Or?

Jason Connell:

Both? Yeah. Like, who's someone who's probably has a fragile ego, as we all do, especially at this age. He's crossed lines. He doesn't know what to say. And yeah, you know, I think it serves the character better that this happened, it serves the movie better than it happened. I would like to think that he could handle the situation better, even if that happened. Hey, it's okay. And he'd hang around, and they'd have some more tea and they try it again. But I love the fact that they wrote it this way. I prefer this, you know, here's a guy that we thought was had all the answers in life. And wow, that was really good. It was much, you know, and it was more takeaways this way.

Michael Estrella:

It just showed his immaturity as much as they seem. Yeah, sure. And it

Jason Connell:

shows that most people are guarded and they'll invent people that they want you to believe that they are and, you know, shielding you from their true self. And yeah, that was really good. It was good to see a guy like that. Be vulnerable

Michael Estrella:

and her as well. I mean, she's tried to take bigger steps now to try to figure it out.

Jason Connell:

Is it me she's like, Ron, stop calling off to the flowers. Mark kisses me and bales. This guy has sex with me and is out of here. What am I doing wrong? Yeah. What is Stacey Hamilton doing? Yeah, I'm 15 and Linda, my friend who's maybe a couple years old has got all the answers or what's wrong with me? Yeah. All that's at play

Michael Estrella:

and and all valid, relatable thoughts. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

And they're dealing with adult things. They're just younger adults. Now they have some emotional growth to happen and their brains will be full fully formed. But yeah, they're dealing with real adult things. I mean, they have jobs or getting fired. They need money for things which we'll get to some real life situations. Yeah, there's real consequences in life, which we also find out. So which we're going to get to very sad that build us Stacy, For those keeping score at home, Stacy's now had sex with two people. And I don't think contraception was used in either instance. So that's just you know, that's just remember that as we move forward in the timeline, and so now back at school, Demone is giving Stacey the brush off. So this is the third guy, my that's giving Stacey the brush off. And that goes back to my point a minute ago about well, what's going on? What am I you know, I'm a scarlet letter on my chest. Why am I Hamilton's have taken some hits in this movie. And Stacey and Brad are going to, hopefully they can rise up above it. That's because they're getting close to the third act, and they're getting close. That's why That's why they're good. So now we're at Captain Hooks. And Brad has got the legendary pirate costume on. And his boss says, Hey, you're gonna go make this delivery to IBM. And so Brad goes to change industry clothes and he's told to not change out of street clothes. Be proud of the uniform go in your pirates costume. So all right, So off he goes

Michael Estrella:

against staying loyal to the system staying loyal to the system as a system guy. Yeah being true trying to do do what's right to

Jason Connell:

I can't get fired again. I work you know, he put a lot of time and all American burger you could tell he moved up the ranks. Employee of the Month hiring people probably got Lisa her job there. And definitely Arnold and probably others. But as Brad drives along, we hear Joe Walsh's waffle Stop. Good song for the same. And please tell me what happens. As Brad comes up to a red light.

Michael Estrella:

Well, he's there in his Buick. And a attractive young lady pulls up next to him. And you know, he's vibing he sees her and he thinks that she's kind of smiling at him. But he soon finds out that she's kind of laughing at him because of what he's wearing. And and he doesn't realize that that till she speeds off and he realizes that he's got the ridiculous pirate outfit on. So he's really frickin upset and full of the system. So he rips off his hat. And again, beat down on the Hamilton family. He's got to drive away you know in his car as a girl races all the pretty girl races off.

Jason Connell:

I love it. He starts to eat the food and spit the food out just you know, showing us the food at Captain Hooks isn't very good. And this is Brad making his own stand like you know what? This is beneath me all American burger. I could wear an apron and maybe a hat but I'm not just like a pirate. And he essentially quits. I mean, it's not sad or talked about but when you don't shop at IBM, you throw the food out the window. You've quit the job,

Michael Estrella:

ya know, it's kind of like a literal thing to rights thrown it out the window. So

Jason Connell:

yeah, so I was gonna say really quickly. The female the attractive lady, attractive woman in the car is played by Nancy Wilson. And she was in the band Hart, really well known band from back in the day. And she later married Cameron Crowe. How about There we go. That's pretty amazing in there.

Michael Estrella:

It's all laid in there. Our at

Jason Connell:

the school track. And Demone is in full scalping mode talking about the dream police not on and I was talking to a girl about your mama's All right now that's our I love that he's putting a hard sell on an upcoming concert. And this girl is listening to him. And Stacey comes out. And Mike, this is a heavy adult conversation. I mean, adults can't even I was on vacation sometimes. Yeah. So you can't and let alone some 15 year old and however old Demone is I mean, what's the 16 maybe 17. So,

Michael Estrella:

so tell us what happened as far as I remember demonia is talking to another girl again trying to sell some tickets and so he's like business as usual. But Stacy obviously, little occupied, preoccupied with something that has something on her mind and she kind of politely demands that he step step aside They have a conversation about something on her mind. And she kind of just puts it straight up as a true grown up would do. Pry better than any grown up could possibly do. She just kind of lays it straight, that she's she's pregnant, the whole world just gets a huge rattle. And he shows his true colors and kind of super scared, says some things that are very nice. And she stands her ground and he lashes out. She stands her ground.

Jason Connell:

She did a great job in that saying, You're right. She just said something. She was so calm. Like that's not fair. Like she didn't they didn't get in this ridiculous fight. He lashes out. And she reset him immediately. And that yeah, that's a wonderful moment. As tough as this is. It's just, it's done. So I

Michael Estrella:

mean, how much how much more dramatic can you get? Besides maybe a death? Now you're talking about the other side of it? Is it possible birth like, wow, in this Drama Comedy thing there, there's a bunch of stoners, and then boom, you've got this. And you're having these teenagers really talked about, but

Jason Connell:

the way they handled it was so mature. And that, you know, that's just a credit to the directing and the acting and the writing.

Michael Estrella:

I mean, in a sense, it's, I thought this was kind of a sad point to, you know. Wait.

Jason Connell:

Well, this is how we find out she's pregnant. We didn't know before this moment. So it's just dropped on us right here. You know, so we're taking it in like, Oh, wow. Okay. I'm glad that this movie does a very good job of that, Mike. It doesn't tell you over here. And then you got to remember how I like the way it's edited together. I like the the pacing of it. And it's okay to have some fun over here with Spicoli. Mr. Han? But yeah, like I say, filmmaking is a lot like building a house. We've got a strong foundation, and then you go, you know, do you put this in here? Does this work with this? It's good construction. This movie is a very well built film.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah. That I think that scene gets to the heart of how serious life can be at that age, as much as it's like the time of innocence and coming of age type stuff. But it's it also showed you like, No, this can be really, really, really heavy. And to be sensitive to that with kids.

Jason Connell:

And Timon walks away to knowing he's, you know, I've got to hold up my end of the bargain. I was part of this and I'm going to do that for her. And so we're now at the bones house. And he's raising funds, essentially, and making calls. And I like his notes Mike, I just I paused it and just took this and because it was I mean, I've seen it so many times but prepping for this podcast. And so it says people who owe me $50 Rick, Shasta reo. course because the audience knows Demone is a scalper. So$10 Drina Phillips, neck, the neck, I assume. $5 Ratner. Now you can ask my mark, right? Not good. You give a Scobie? Pay me back five because I gotta get that person with the girl. So no, can't reach out to him. He's not on the call list right now. And then there's $20 David Brandt clash again the clash. But now just a little tidbit. David Brandt was Amy Hecker, Ling's ex husband, probably husband at the time and he's in the band Reeves nivo and the Cinch who perform at the dance later in the movie that's

Michael Estrella:

that's a good note. But I also noticed in the in the dugout, where she loses her virginity is sprayed hate the stench is in there if you didn't notice that though, I thought was gonna be interesting.

Jason Connell:

I saw disco sucks. Yeah, cool. No, I didn't see the sense Good job. And then on the expenses column, it says abortion $75 his portion. And below that I have to question or bring up it says Rod Stewart $60 Question mark as the mom was going to go see Rod Stewart and we're saving up money but now that's been question mark. Because listen, great shows

Michael Estrella:

that puts that puts the mindset there as to okay, this is what in my life this is kind of how they value and you're like,

Unknown:

wow,

Michael Estrella:

the difference between them Yeah, right.

Jason Connell:

But roster, we got the question mark, which is nice. So it's like now I gotta do the right thing. Now, this leads me to this other phase of this conversation about the note taking. And the scene itself is because he's on the phone with Rick, he went right to the guy that owes him 50, which would definitely get him so close to his goal. But Rick doesn't have the money. And when Rick doesn't give him the money, thing, the plan starts to implode. I mean, without that 50 He's looking at 30 tops. And again, parents don't have a real place in this universe of this film. And so borrowing money from mom and dad is not an option. And I love the Stevie Nicks song. Sleeping angel is playing. It's a great song. And it just takes us from, you know, the scene of him making the calls and trying to raise the money all the way to Stacey at the curb waiting for the ride from Demone who never show

Michael Estrella:

the ride, because he can't show his face. He can't reality.

Jason Connell:

I mean, Mikey could have just said called her and said, I'm having a hard time with the money. Can I pay you later? Hey, he knows all about IOUs but I'll definitely drive you. But he just hides in all

Michael Estrella:

it's all about image for Demone. Right? He's got this image to keep up that he can't face. Yeah. It's unfortunate because you want you want the moon to come through on this, but he just can't he's not at that level to do so

Jason Connell:

Stacy does call them bones mother and just sidebar Stacy's the only character to have interactions with any parents, her own mother, and Mike's mom when she

Michael Estrella:

calls Demone and the mom answers I was wondering this is maybe far fetched, but she's kind of picking at plaintiff apples. And there's a reason I was like is this Adam and Eve the apple type of thing the fruit to I was just long shot in it but I'm like no, there's a reason why she's playing with food and it's Apple there's a reason there's gotta be a reason. So I was trying to think what Anyway, anyway, just long shot but oh, your eyes if you can out there whoever's listening, but but it's a possibility. Oh, there's

Jason Connell:

probably some meaning behind that. You know, some symbolism some absolute that's a good point. Yeah, the Adam and Eve they crossed the line here and and they're paying the price or she is anyway. And so Timon is not available. His mother says that he's out in the garage helping his father. And so Stacey. Then here's Brad, backing out of the driveway and yells to catch a ride. And so she says we're going bowling and he drops her off at Corbin bowl. And let me just say, Mike, I've been to Corbin bowl. I've bowled there on a date and had a wonderful time. But I knew when I was there, that fast times didn't have a scene there. But it was in the movie. So that was kind of cool for me. So fun times at Corbin Ville. I actually made it inside the bowling alley. Unlike Stacey, who has Brad drives away. What does she do Mike?

Michael Estrella:

Well, she be lines from the bowling alley and makes her way into what we're going to find out is an abortion. But she

Jason Connell:

runs across Ventura Boulevard to get there. Oh, true. Yeah. So

Michael Estrella:

and her brother sees in the sideview mirror that what a rearview mirror that hers his sister has basically is up to something. So

Jason Connell:

being a good big brother turns around and goes to her Stacy's and waits outside for her to come out of the abortion clinic. And she was actually supposed to have a ride. And she said she lives she's like, Oh, no, my rides downstairs. I didn't know. And then they released her. And she goes outside not knowing how she's probably going to get home and there's brat. And he knows where she's been. It must say it on the you know, on the front of the building. He knows. And it's a nice moment that he's there for her when she needs him.

Michael Estrella:

And his world is just crumbled. And he's still there is like this. My sister. I got her back. You know?

Jason Connell:

Yeah. Well, whatever he's dealt with is not this serious, either. Yeah.

Michael Estrella:

And he's just a loyal brother that you can look up to. And he's got he stays. He's there as a pillar for somebody her. And what was what I think was very understanding him understanding where she's coming from his when he said, You know, so who was it? And she said, and then she doesn't really answer and he says, You're not gonna tell me either. And he kind of said, That's okay. Like, he was like, It's all right. I get it. That's your he said that. You know, that's your secret. And that's for you to know, I'm just here for you. Which is, sometimes that's all we ever need in any type of heavy situation.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, no judgment. He just says, Hey, you hungry? It's food. She needed a shoulder to cry on and that moment or just embrace someone and be there for her And, and it can't always be Linda. You know, sometimes it has to be your flesh and blood. And this is her big brother. Doing so. And it's great. It's great moment. So now Stacy tells Linda, what happened with Demone. And she calls him what? Think it's a little prick. That little prick. You got it, nailed it. And

Michael Estrella:

she kind of goes off. That being the protector, you know. And so,

Jason Connell:

yeah, she knows a person if Brad knew it was Damone. I'm sure he would have done something to him. But Linda already knew. But now she knows Demone let her down. Bailed

Michael Estrella:

if you will. And she's not one to hold back.

Jason Connell:

And no, no, Phoebe Cates in this role is a bit fiery. And again, a great scene, great editing, great directing, the way it goes from that little prick cut to the moans house. And on his car, it says just that,

Michael Estrella:

yeah, comes out, comes out of his apartment and boom has been tagged right on his Gremlin. Of course. Yes, he's got a gremlin, which we all know is not like the car to have. And then when he actually leaves the premises, and drive to school, he's covered up. Yeah, with cardboard taped onto his car where it was written little prick, which to me was, again, it's such such a nice way of reflecting who he is like, he has to cover up who he really is by putting this over it. But underneath that he's still that same person. So as that to me, it was like, Ah, okay, another layer of how to present him not washing it off not doing that he has to cover up who he is.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. Now we're back at school on we're in the locker room. And Mark, who now knows what happened, confronts Demone. And this is really a big scene and a tough scene to see. You know, like you say, the teacher and the student and two good friends. And now they're on opposite ends over Stacey. And what happens Mike

Michael Estrella:

and well, and Well, Mark, it's pretty cool. He actually stands up for himself. He actually stands up himself and he's very stern and he puts he puts Damone basically on the spot. Again, I just I always look into the layers of why would they use the locker room, blah, blah, blah. But I was thinking about this like, okay, Demone is nearly naked, he is going to be revealed for who he is. And that's possibly why they decided in the locker room. I don't totally know. But it seems to make sense. We have completely stripped you down, man. Now I see who you are. So

Jason Connell:

close. You can't hide behind the side. Right? Yeah.

Michael Estrella:

So you know, rat has a conversation with him very direct about what's going down. And this is where some unfortunate truths are said and realized. And Mark has to live with that many heartbreak or betrayal. And in his pursuit of figuring it out with this girl,

Jason Connell:

he says some things that are right on the nose, you know, hey, you know, look like they all make fun of Demone. And he stands up for him. And people see demand for who he is. And Mark is closest to him. couldn't even see the real Demone until now. Yeah. And so a lot came out in this exchange, and they nearly come to blows. But this is a normal device that we see in movies is the teacher, our superintendent, or whoever comes in and breaks it up before ever happens. And so it's a it's a short scene, but it's a very important thing. And we don't know where their friendship lies, but they got a lot off their chest and, and Mark was right, and I'm very proud of mark for standing up for himself. And sometimes relationships need to be tested. And him saying those things he shouldn't feel guilty about what he said he needed to say it but sometimes we become better friends for having these types of moments in life. But we'll see. We'll see where this thing goes. But it's over. We're out. We've moved on in the movie. And now Mr. Vargas, who haven't seen in a while, is doing the annual field trip which is kind of mentioned in the earlier scene and biology class that Arnold was talking about. They're going to the hospital. And we get Dr. Miller, which you may or may not know, was played by Martin breast. And Martin breast was a pretty prolific filmmaker himself. He did movies like Beverly Hills Cop, Midnight Run Scent of a Woman and so many more. And I love that he plays this little bit part. And so, Fargas goes in to, I guess, a cadaver and starts to explore said cadaver and pull out body parts to examine them and, and and I even liked the fact that Spicoli has joined this field trip, even though he's not in Mr. Vargas, his biology class.

Michael Estrella:

He says, Well, I am today. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

To my class I am today. It's great. He knows that they're going to do and, and he wants to be a part of it. And so I think Vargas even pulls out the heart. Magali has another great Spicoli ism,

Michael Estrella:

radical are awesome. What's he say during when that happens? Oh,

Jason Connell:

gnarly,

Michael Estrella:

gnarly. It's good. That's good. And while that's all happening, all the kids are like tripping out on like this, you know, the heart of this stuff. This comes literally not too far after Stacy has heard of abortion. Yeah. And so they're here in this class scene, discussing life. And they also saw babies that were just born and stuff like that. So she's getting hit with this stuff. And you're like, wow, it just isn't, you don't just get an abortion, it's all done. You just keep getting hit with stuff. And you don't even know where it's going to come from. I mean, you can only imagine what you know, as, as a male, it's nearly it's not even possible to come close to what it's like to go through that. No, but to just start to see just the beginning of what this young lady may have to face. And to go from there. was pretty intense. But the Spicoli is the best during that does definitely pretty cool.

Jason Connell:

Well, back to your point with Stacey, though Mark recognizes that Stacy left the room when it got too intense. And Mark goes and looks after her, which is nice. You know, he's trying, and maybe not trying to get back in there. But because he's a good guy. And he also knows, not from her. But he heard through the grapevine. What happened, and he's still willing to stay in there and go, You know what, I'm still going to try this. That's, that's a lot for someone to do. Yeah, but I don't think he did it for points. Mike. I think he did it because he's just a genuinely good guy. Yeah, for sure. For sure. Wait, which is great to see you. You need. You don't need but you're rooting for those types of people. And an ensemble piece like this, because not all these people have that. That moral fiber that Mark Ratner has now it's for Callie's house, and we see him taking a bong hit. And I don't remember seeing a bong hit in the movie before this. And I was young, but definitely not a high school movie, or a teenager. And then there's a knock on the door. And it's his little brother Curtis, because Spicoli or Jeff and his and his household has a visitor and who is it, of course is Mr. Han, Mr. Han, and this is another one of those great moments, great scenes in the movie. It'll stick with us. And it's the last time we see Mr. Han and Spicoli in the movie together. And it's it's it's so memorable. I love this one.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah, and as you go through this you know he's mr. hands basically telling tells us that Spicoli is wasted nearly eight hours of Mr. Hands time and so he's going to get it back so that they can call it an even deal pretty much. And so Spicoli has held back from going to the last dance where everybody is until you can kind of go through the history of things. And in this scene, you kind of you begin to see the teacher become the student and the student become the teacher to a certain extent because I believe Mr. Hand learns from Spicoli

Jason Connell:

he learns their lingo but yes, goalie gets what's going on but he presents it in a very new and fresh way.

Michael Estrella:

Right which brings me back all the way to the opening scene where the first time we see hand he says aloha to everybody. And what is it that he says to when they in their final scene and they say goodbye to each other basically their

Jason Connell:

parting words are aloha and aloha Mr. Hand Yeah, yeah. So but in between that time period, I gotta say that I loved the way that Spicoli his Spicoli ism, breaking down things in such a fun and colorful way. But again on point with his wardrobe, I love split Kohli's Hawaiian shirt with a tie. It just works for him. All only spoke Callie could pull that off.

Michael Estrella:

And you know you go was it the wardrobe designer was the costume designer. Was it the director?

Jason Connell:

Was it Sean Penn broglio

Michael Estrella:

And how many different guys could it go through and what you know, just to pick the one he nailed it nailed it.

Jason Connell:

Speaking of wardrobe, I also liked mr. hands hounds tooth jacket, so I gotta give him kudos on that. So A great scene a very memorable scene, and an end of a wonderful relationship with Mr. Hand and, and Jeff Spicoli, I love he says he's going to cruise history. And he's, you know, acts like he's going to have to repeat it. And he's like, I think you'll get by Spicoli I just love it, they have such a fondness for each other, and they start off on the wrong foot, but you can tell that they're kind of kindred spirits in a way.

Michael Estrella:

Absolutely. And I think this, this is where it starts to lean in, we start finding out the characters in the beginning of the relationships, we kind of figure out what what has served them throughout this whole journey, or what has, what they've come to accept and how they get the value in it. At this point, we start to see that Mr. Han actually feels valued as a teacher, he feels like he's fulfilled a role and responsibility in at least connecting with, with Spicoli at a particular level. So that was, I think his kind of his, his role in the movie was to find some value and acceptance in what he was doing. For these kids, even if they're all all on dope.

Jason Connell:

It because he's, he's an older teacher, and the last, you know, phase of his career. And so he's done with the youngest generation he's had to deal with and he's probably realizing, Man, am I losing touch with them. And so it's nice to connect, and realize that, hey, we're not so different. And they can kind of speak the same language. So I loved it. I really did. And now we're at the dance, and Reeves nivo, and the center performing. And a great moment here, as we see Demone and Mark,

Michael Estrella:

do what Mark basically just tells, tells Demone look at Demone Dude, that's just who you are. I know how you are. You are this you are that and, and Dimos. Kind of like, yeah, yeah. But the moment actually gives a an honest apology, like he's absolutely sorry for what he's done. And I don't maybe this isn't the right term, but he kind of mans up and say, certainly does. So in that moment, you see his growth. And you want to believe that, yes, he has actually become a better person, at the cost of others. But his growth, he's he's reached a milestone in his development,

Jason Connell:

you can tell that the relationship meant more to demand and maybe we realized, you know, he realized what he did, he was very sincere with his apology. And he knows that what Mark had to say wasn't wrong. What he said were all right about his character. But yeah, I really liked it, and they buried the hatchet. And they were friends. And it meant something to Demone to get that from Mark. And that was nice. That was the redemption that I wanted.

Michael Estrella:

Yeah, and Mark's character elevates at that level to to be able to do that. That's not an easy thing to do as a human.

Jason Connell:

Now, Mr. Vargas is introducing his wife, Mrs. Vargas, to some of the students, and she is played by Lana Clarkson, who was a well known actress in the 80s and 90s. But who was tragically murdered by Phil Spector. And 2003.

Michael Estrella:

Oh, I didn't I didn't know that necessarily. But now I do know that but I she'd seemed recognizable to me, but I didn't know that too. It actually was. But a that this is life. This is, you know, this is a lot of people are tied to this

Jason Connell:

movie. Yeah. This is back to your first favorite thing in the movie. Someone comes roaring up late to the party, because Macaulay was tied up with Mr. Han. But in the parking lot, your favorite vehicle arrives

Michael Estrella:

once again, the Volkswagen bus comes up yellow and orange. And the boys roll out smoke coming out of court as they roll in. And they're kind of late. But there's significant time that there's this body language that Sean Penn does as it going into the school gymnasium. These outside there's some balloons outside that lead into there. And Spicoli instead of as he's walking in, and these balloons are in his way, he doesn't take his hand and move the balloons out of the way. So college just goes into the balloons and drifts off him and goes in because that's just what he

Jason Connell:

says it all such as character. Like why

Michael Estrella:

would I move my hands, right? Just flow through these things, man.

Jason Connell:

That was great. It's so great. He was so great. And this I mean, really, it's, it's worth repeating again and again and again. He really elevates this movie to a whole new level. Yeah. So Linda breaks up with Doug and a letter. And so interesting seeing that now here comes the T sure who's always been shepherding Stacey and, and now she's at a real crossroad. And she wants to, or needs to, or if Doug even exists, or maybe he already dumped her, we don't really know. It's about as vague as it gets. But we do know that she's probably moving on in some way and putting yourself out there. And Stacy's kinda like she's already run the gamut of like, Yes, they've been around meeting guys, and, and she's looking for something more, but it's really nice to see like, oh, wow, now I'm looking at you. And you're the one kind of falling apart that needs to be held together.

Michael Estrella:

That scene there, I think just it that was just like, okay, the trajectory of, of Lynda has reached its end. And she has this whole time, kind of convinced herself that she was in a relationship that she wasn't. And then as she's trying to teach, she's actually learning through this whole process. Then the very back of it. Linda does all the talking to Stacy and Stacy just gives like, right, okay. And she, and then Linda comes up with their own answer. You know, so she's like, she kind of had her own self learning process along the way. But thanks,

Jason Connell:

she's her rock. She exaggerated get caught up in it. She was unaffected by it. She's more mature, she's grown, Stacy's really grown a lot. So she can be her equal now. So Spicoli is late to the party. But let me tell you this. The party has just begun. He goes right up on stage and helps the band sing Wooly Bully. I love it. Spicoli is the party and brings the dance alive. You know,

Michael Estrella:

what was attractive about that scene was just to see the students all dancing in their own particular peculiar. Strange, whatever you want to call it away. Yeah. Because it was just expressing that to me, I get I'm always looking for symbolism and that kind of stuff. And maybe it goes a little too deep or not. But they were just being themselves. And that, to me, ultimately, is what this movie is about. Just being yourself and discovery and getting over fear for it.

Jason Connell:

I loved it. Yeah. Yeah. Just just went for it. It was good. So dances do they bring people together. So now we're back at the mall, and Perry's pizza to be precise. So Stacy is talking to Linda. And she wants a relationship. She wants romance. She wants something she hasn't had. She's had empty sex. She's had an abortion. She's dealt with immature guys. So she wants something more. And then who does she spot across the mall?

Michael Estrella:

You know, Mark has always been across the mall where it's not as happening and where she's been. It's been happening. But I think you brought up something that I don't want to skip over just too much. Because this is a really big part, I think this is brings it all back together. And it's when Linda says, as you were saying they're at the very in the final scene in the area. She says, Linda, I finally figured it out. And that's what they've all been trying to do this whole time is figure it out all the characters, right? And she did say as you were saying, I don't want sex, anybody can have sex. I want a relationship. I want romance, something meaningful. But so she's in this mindset of I figured it out. And I thought, wow, I think that Spicoli kind of figured it out too. Because like he said, All I need are some tasty waves cool buzz and I'm fine. So he figured it out mister hand, Aloha feels his duty has been fulfilled. He figured out for college for the most part. So he feels like he's figured it out demands, you know, accepting who he is. And he's learns what it's really like to be friendship. So he's kind of figured it out. Brad, of course, you know, we're gonna find out soon, he's gonna figure it out as well in a pretty cool scene. And Linda, you know, she she writes this letter, and she kind of figures it out as well. So, you know, Mark then steps up now and he's about to figure it out as well.

Jason Connell:

Yep. So Stacy looks across the mall and sees Mark waves out him and then waves him over. What sets up a really nice scene between them. So I'll let you take it from here.

Michael Estrella:

It seems to be something that has been repeated over and over and over. In the mindset of a guy. A cute girl says a few things says she's available a certain standard, and we just buckle we just buy doesn't matter. We're like, Okay, we're good. And maybe it works the other way around, too. But Mark has come along this path. He's worked hard to stay tuned with her in in with her and she's, he's kind of trying to play it off. Like, you know,

Jason Connell:

she sent your picture on a vacation. Yeah, he's

Michael Estrella:

like, I'm going to be kind of busy. And she's like, well, I want you to hold this picture. And it's a cute picture of her and he kind of he's innocent enough to but he's, he's like, you know, the birdies go around his head or whatever you want to call them go to the hearts go rounds and butterflies and fluttering and he's like you His whole course just changes. Yep, I think that I'm probably gonna be able to give you a call. So it's a throwback to like it's still there for him still wants to be around her and and

Jason Connell:

while they're having their exchange the song so much in love very fitting by Timothy B. Schmidt is playing and nearly as a perfect song to this scene with these two lovebirds, if you will. And it's very cute. And their relationships come full circle from that first meeting in biology class to everything else, to this point where they're really starting their journey

Michael Estrella:

together in the mall, which is what it's all about. So that's great.

Jason Connell:

They're mall rats, these two Oh, my God, there's the phrase mall rats. Perfect. He he was the first mall rat framed it up. So now Brad is at his new job at the mighty Mart. And Spicoli comes in. And Mike, he is obviously stoned. And this scene, well, he comes

Michael Estrella:

in there, right? He's just trying to pick out nickels from his pocket and lint and stuff like that to pay for some goods. And then we've got Hamilton there who's like, you know, kind of like, all rights for calling What's your deal, you know, once you try and get a job, and that's again, where he, you know, yes, but Spicoli throws out that line that I just mentioned about, you know, the cool waves and all that stuff, and everything's gonna be just fine. And in that, you know, again, Hamilton's the cool dude. He's like, alright, I get it, I get it. And then sort of a call. He asked to use the bathroom. And he's like, Well, all right, so we sprinkler heads to the back. And and while that happens, again, the store is empty, except for Sean Penn, who's now gone back to the bathroom. But in the meantime, a guy comes in to rob the place

Jason Connell:

and card comes pulling up. And this guy jumps out and runs in spray paints.

Michael Estrella:

The camera comes up pulls a gun out on Hamilton and Hamptons like Whoa. Yeah, so tense. Yeah, no messing around there. He's like cheese. What am I what next? And in the middle of the robbery as Hamilton's getting built up and worked up because he's the guys pressuring him with a gun and knocking stuff over. Spicoli comes out and kind of distracts the guy as he because he says, Hey, there's no towels in the bathroom and the guy looks the robber looks to the side at that point. Hamilton seizes the moment grabs the hot coffee in the container, just smart thinking for Brad, they'll get the big brain on Brad. He grabs the hot coffee, does it on the guy's face. Pretty instinctual. I like that. And then that guy's getaway car leaves him right.

Jason Connell:

cars out of there. I love us. Macaulay says when Hamilton gets the upper hand. All right, Hamilton Impreza is excited. And it's got to move and funny, but he didn't know what to do. He's just elated that, you know, he just figures it out. He

Michael Estrella:

took he's decided to take charge of of a situation. Yeah, he took charge. And that leads

Jason Connell:

us to the end. I mean, it ends right there. And then we get, you know, this great oil Blanco song Goodbye, goodbye, which also literally is telling us it's over. And we get something, Mike that I don't remember seeing before this movie came out either, which were like the character recaps. Oh, yeah. Those are amazing. But Brad's comes on first and he became, you know, the manager six years later. So Right. Good. Way to go. Hamilton. All right. Well done. Indeed. Sir. Demone gets busted scalping tickets. And now 711 Mr. Vargas, left sanka and went back to coffee. And Mark and Stacey are dating, which we kind of figured. But Mike. What have they not

Michael Estrella:

done? Well, they haven't gone to the dugout. But that's great.

Jason Connell:

They've showed restraint. And Stacy realizes that sex is not the end all be all that we sometimes believe it is. Mr. Hand is convinced.

Michael Estrella:

What Mike? Well, that everybody's on dope.

Jason Connell:

So good. He's grading papers, and he's just shaking his head like, Are you kidding me? All right, Mike, why don't you take the last one, which is Kohli's send off

Michael Estrella:

Spicoli actually ends up saving Brooke Shields from drowning somewhere who knows where and then gets this reward, reward money for doing it. And of course in great Spicoli fashion he goes in parties with it by doing what he decides to hire Van Halen to, I believe play for the party or a birthday party of his No. And so he ends up blowing all the money. But of course he would because he's Macaulay and I bet you he had a killer time.

Jason Connell:

It True Spicoli fashion. So now as the credits roll, of course, we get a closing up shop montage. And in the last shot of the movies, back to the Arcade, and we see the end come up, which a lot of movies in the 80s. And maybe before that, like to put the end and just in case you weren't sure. There, the movie is finally over. That's it, Mike, what an incredible movie, we covered it extensively. I can't thank you enough for joining me on Let's Talk movies and exploring Fast Times at Ridgemont. High, I mean, you start to realize there's so many moving parts. This isn't an action movie that has a lot to cover a lot of emotion, a lot of character growth, and arcs and relationships and just a lot to take in. It's it's so much

Michael Estrella:

so and you know, I've never really gone this deep into a movie of sorts. And it's been a a very revealing experience to really study something and see if it really carries weight. Now as much as we thought it did, then I think the biggest thing did kind of come up when Stacy that made that statement is that, you know, I finally figured it out.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. And I think it all started with I don't know, early in the film, to figure it out, which is great. They want your characters to end up in a better place in certain movies in this type of movie. Yes, you do. And it's wonderful that to see all of them succeed in that way and their personal growth. And so I have to get into this trivia which I end every show with, if you will, so, but I took one off the top. When I told you about Cameron crows and I usually have three or more. But I already told you two of them in the midst of the podcast. So trivia consists of just one last thing here goes. the MPAA originally granted the movie an X rating. Due to the lovemaking scene between Stacy and Demone, which featured full frontal male nudity. Heckerling asked the board, why they can show naked girls but not naked guys. And they said, because the male Oregon is aggressive. And because the picture was the first major studio film in some time to be given an X rating, universal agreed to edit the scene allowing the MPAA to reissue the movie as an AR. That's crazy. Right, Mike? I mean, you do see nudity in this movie. I think Jennifer Jason Leigh shows her breast and two scenes. But that is amazing that they had that much of an issue with Demone having any nudity at all,

Unknown:

I mean,

Michael Estrella:

there's always baby steps, right to get to something. And as we know, with any kind of restrictions, there's always some sort of excuse that isn't necessarily fair or balanced out. And as you try to move into that, it just takes steps and pressures and moving forward. But I didn't wasn't aware of that.

Jason Connell:

It was a different time. And oh and an x ray and would have an x ray would have killed this movie. You can't issue an extra. I mean, Midnight Cowboy did it. And somehow it worked. And it won Best Picture. But they weren't they didn't need box office to build a winner in those days. I mean, this would be would have been dead out of the gates. And so I remember on that director's commentary. Heckerling spoke to that and just how much of a process that was and she fought the fight and she couldn't believe that they consider the mill Oregon aggressive. But they had to change it. It didn't hurt the movie any but it's just trivia a little tidbit a little something, you know. And so that's all I got. Mike, again, I want to thank you for joining me. It's been a true pleasure. Cut it out without you. And I hope our audience appreciates our deep dive in Hey, thanks

Michael Estrella:

for having me on board and I will definitely do it again on some other movie if you're willing to have me.

Jason Connell:

Absolutely. So thanks so much for listening. And please be sure to subscribe rate and review the show wherever you get your podcast. You can also follow us on social media at let's talk movies, or check out our other shows at just curious media.com. So without further ado, please enjoy Fast Times at Ridgemont High

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