Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
What’s up, it’s Lygie.
You know what really annoys me, not counting bad audio dubbing and Timothée Chalamet? Characters breaking the fourth wall. This intricate technique going all the way back from Ancient Greece to Shakespeare to Charlie Chaplin to Mel Brooks has become a filler of sorts, used by anyone and everyone to make themselves look like a comedic (or dramatic) genius.
If you do a Google Images search of “breaking the fourth wall”, literally ¾ of the whole page is Deadpool, whose entire character seems to be “kooky ultraviolent guy being edgy at the camera”.
But one of the ways to make a fourth wall break efficient, memorable, and actually good is to give the viewer a glimpse of what’s going on in the character’s head. Good examples of that would be House of Cards (bar the last season, we don’t talk about it), The Office, and today’s subject: 1986’s Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
I have to be frank, this movie has flown under my radar for quite some time. I’ve been meaning to watch it, but kept deciding not to again and again — you know how it is. But now, in this quarantined barren landscape that is the Netflix suggestions tab, I’ve finally faced this film from over 30 years ago. And I gotta tell you, it’s pretty good!
So what’s with the plot?
Ferris Bueller is a high school senior, loved by hundreds, hated by few, played by Matthew Broderick. He is the epitome of the cool kid. And he just so happens to have a history test. So Ferris does what any self-respecting high school slack-off would do — he pretends to be sick in order to stay at home.
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 and it still wouldn’t change the fact that I don't own a car.
Having succeeded, he assembles a team consisting of his friend Cameron and girlfriend Sloane, and together they take off to downtown Chicago. And as much as I’d love to tell you the rest of the plot, you’d be better off checking it out for yourself.
The good things:
• The aforementioned fourth wall break is well-executed throughout the movie, showing Ferris Bueller to be both charming and cunning (I mean, that’s not a spoiler, that’s the literal premise). There’s also a completely legendary post-credits scene, topping anything Marvel has ever done. Eat shit, Marvel.
• Frankly, some of the best humour I’ve seen in what claims to be a teen comedy from 30 years ago. Granted, I haven’t seen many teen comedies from 30 years ago, but still, it’s remarkable.
Ferris: Cameron, I'm sorry, but we can't pick up Sloane in your car. Mr. Rooney would never believe Mr. Peterson drives that piece of shit.
Cameron: It's not a piece of shit.
Ferris: It is a piece of shit. Don't worry about it. I don't even have a piece of shit; I have to envy yours.
• A surprising level of depth. There are tens, if not hundreds of theories whether or not Cameron is actually the main character, if the school principal is a Soviet spy, or if Ferris Bueller exists at all. A lot of things are still up for debate, and if you’d like to discuss any of them— the comment section is always open. As are my DMs.
• With the surprising level of depth I have mentioned also comes a moral message, that is both fairly straightforward and somewhat astute. Somehow.
• Matthew Broderick. Do I really have to say anything?
The bad thing:
• Some of the humour hasn’t dated very well, which is inevitable, honestly.
I'm very cute, I'm very alone, and I'm very protective of my body. I do not want it violated or killed! All right?! I need help!
— Jeanie Bueller, on the phone with the police.
Recently I’ve decided to watch Eddie Murphy’s 1983 comedy special Delirious, and promptly turned if off after hearing the word “f____t” in the first 5 minutes, followed by a terrible, terrible joke. But hey, comedy ages. Some comedy ages badly, like going shirtless but still wearing a red leather jacket. That’s life.
Conclusion
All in all, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a stunning example of fourth wall break done right. Apart from that, it’s also a great movie, definitely worth putting on one’s list in this lockdown time.
As for you, you’re great too! Thank you for reading 20_36, stay strong and, most importantly, stay at home.
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