25 Years of Ferris Bueller's Day Off: What's Its Most Underrated Moment?
The films of John Hughes belong to a class of nostalgia and greatness all their own, but 25 years on, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a particularly universal moment of brilliance in the late director's career. On June 11, 1986, the Matthew Broderick vehicle about delinquency, high school malaise, and budding adulthood opened in theaters, and now, Movieline is thrilled to rehash its most underrated moment.
While the starring triumvirate of Broderick, Alan Ruck, and Mia Sara is unforgettable, I think the most adorable (and real) moments come courtesy of Edie McClurg, the '80s character actress who plays Principal Rooney's secretary Grace. As Rooney's diplomatic accomplice, she lights up the screen with a cheeriness that almost compulsively reminds me of my high school's front office. Here's a quick clip of her brass at work; she'd use the same smarts to illuminate the Winners' Circle on dozens of episodes of The $25,000 Pyramid.
What are your favorite Ferris Bueller moments? Feel free to wax poetic about all the Chicago iconography and whatever else strikes your fancy below.
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For years, I thought that the substance on the desk of the passed-out student in Ben Stein's class was cocaine, not drool--which is a weird thing to think for a 9-year-old.
Bueller in the shower saying, "I do have a test today, that wasn't bullshit. It's on European socialism. I mean, really, what's the point? I'm not European. I don't plan on being European. So who gives a crap if they're socialists? They could be fascist anarchists, it still doesn't change the fact that I don't own a car. " Classic.
Wow, thanks for reminding me of exactly where I was 25 years ago tonight. One of those truly memorable movie experiences where the entire theater knew that they were seeing an instant classic.
Ha! I thought it was a noodle that had fallen out of his mouth. I must have seen it ten times before realizing that it was just drool.
Are you guys serious? Weren't you ever in a class as a kid when someone fell asleep on their desk and drooled all over themselves? Cocaine and noodles?? You guys must have been pretty high the first 9 times you saw the movie...
The little cutaway where Ferris plays a clarinet terribly and then quips to camera "Never had one lesson!" Feels really spontaneous and makes me laugh every time.
I love Jennifer Grey in this movie.
"I'd also like to add that I've got my father's gun and a *scorching* case of herpes!"
Mm, mm, mm - what a little asshole. - EM
I thought it was cocaine too! Really weird, since I was a sheltered little suburban kid who had never seen anyone do cocaine.
Gummi Bear? They've been in my pocket so they're real warm and soft."
When Ed Rooney is at Ferris' house and accepts the flowers from teachers at the school, the driver honks the shave and a haircut, and Rooney flips him off twice.
Classic brilliance.
My wife and I imitate this bit with Grace on the phone all the time (and Rooney whisper-shrieking "GRRRRAAAACCEE!") - glad to know someone else has a soft spot for it as well!
This thread is amazing. (In a GREAT way!)
She is fantastic in this movie. When I interviewed Alan Ruck, he noted how much viewers seemed to relate to Jeannie.
According to the not-always-reliable-but-fun IMDb trivia page, that line was improvised by Broderick.
"Nine times?"
"Nine times."
Also, my best friend and I would constantly replay the parade sequence over and over. Considering it took very little to get my pubescent self excited, that shot of Mia Sara tossing her hair destroyed me.
I was always fascinated by the way Hughes shot and cut the scene where Ferris's mom comes home to check on him. If you watch it on mute -- cutting away the faux-suspense theme, the "nine times" echoing in her head, and that ridiculous snoring loop -- it looks and feels as tense and claustrophobic as something out of Hitchcock.
N.B. Let's not forget Cindi Pickett's sweet '80s styles in this film as well.
There was that non-sequitor scene of them at the commodity exchange, but I was forever bothered by Ruck's Red Wing jersey. The Hawks actually had a respectable squad in those days.
"You wear too much eye makeup. My sister wears too much. People think she's a whore."
As much as I'm down on Charlie Sheen's antics right now, that deadpan delivery is the highlight of the movie for me.
"You know, if we were playing by the rules, we'd be in gym class right now."
Cut to Janie in the car outside the field with kids running (if she's so superior, why isn't she in class, btw?)
(deadpan) "I hate him."
Drives away
Ed: "I don't trust that Ferris punk any further than I can throw him."
Grace: "Well, with your bad knee, Ed, you shouldn't be throwing anybody!"
One of the best lines in anything, ever.
Most underrated moment? Maybe the reveal of the dancers on the steps during Twist and Shout. I still find that delightful.
YES. When they're dancing in the parade, and there's that moment they show Sloan looking at Ferris and she's dancing... UGH. Gets me every time.
Also the end scene with Ferris and Sloan where she says, "You knew what you were doing when you woke up this morning, didn't you."
Rooney flips up his sunglasses (with no glasses beneath). Walks into pizza parlor, sees the back of someone who looks like Ferris.
Rooney: (voiceover) Bueller!
He strides up confidently to his prey.
Rooney: "Les jeux sont faits. Translation: The game is up. Your ass is mine!"
Young woman turns around, looks Rooney up and down, sucks up the last of a soda through a straw and blows the drink in his face. Scene ends with the sound of Pac-Man losing a life.
"What country do you think this is?"
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