Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” the story of confident teenage boy Ferris (played by Matthew Broderick), best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck), girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) and their escapades around downtown Chicago, is considered a classic and “must see” by many cinephiles.
Released in the summer of 1986 and directed by John Hughes, whose other films include “The Breakfast Club” (1989) and “Home Alone” (1990), the film plays into the hearts of children and adults who want to leave school and experience the enjoyable weather of the spring.
Ferris, a high school senior, does just that. Using his reputation as a “good kid,” he, with inspired genius manipulates his parents and classmates into believing he has fallen ill for a ninth time that spring.
After both of his parents leave for work that day, rumors spread around his high school with incredible speed about Ferris, who is popular across across all established cliques. Ferris breaks the teenage hierarchy between the jocks, druggies, heavy-metal types, preppies, losers, grinds and popular kids at his school and prepares for his day devoted to, as he says, “[stopping] to look around once in awhile.”
To do this, Ferris contacts his best friend, Cameron, who is truly bedridden. With his cunning and manipulative tendencies, Ferris convinces Cameron to make the most of his day out of school. Together, the pair are capable of anything as they trick their school principal, Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), steal Cameron’s father’s Ferrari—which he cherishes more than his own son—and break Sloane, Ferris’ girlfriend, out of school.
The three then end up spending the day touring downtown Chicago as they traverse noteworthy places in The Loop. For a few moments, Ferris even becomes the center of attention in the bustling city as he climbs aboard a parade float and performs “Twist and Shout,” fully embracing his philosophy of seizing every presented opportunity in this memorable scene. After the day is over, Ferris and his friends return home where more surprises await.
In this film, director John Hughes creates a realistic teenage world, dealing with problems that seem to bother the stereotypical teenager: social groups, parents, pressure and self-definition. Hughes has created a character who is every teen-ager’s fantasy, and who can break free from the social pressures of being a high-schooler.
Ferris Bueller’s day off might seem like a film best suited for teenagers, but this classic is viewed positively by movie-goers of all ages. Overtime, the movie has transpired into one of the most relatable comedies and is perfect when looking for a laugh during a summer day or searching for hope when bogged down with work in the cold winter months.