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“Gee, I’m Really Sorry Your Mom Blew Up, Ricky”
Better Off Dead was released 35 years ago tomorrow, on August 23rd, 1985.
I love this movie so much! It has everything — John Cusack before he became annoying, Diane Franklin at peak cuteness, a psychotic paper boy, Curtis “Booger” Armstrong, an antagonist named Stalin, Asian drag-racing brothers who talk like Howard Cosell, a claymation hamburger performing Van Halen, an appearance by Barney Rubble, homages to Rocky, Harold & Maude, The Graduate, and several other films that I’ve probably missed.
For those who haven’t seen it, it’s the (more than slightly) surreal story of Lane Meyer, a severe underachiever of a high school student. His girlfriend of six months dumps him “Because I really think it’d be better for me if I went out with someone more popular — better looking, who drives a nicer car.” He stages multiple half-hearted attempts at suicide, and gets involved with the french foreign exchange student [Franklin] living with the family across the street.
It’s not quite the “Throw every gag we can think of at the screen and see what sticks” approach to comedy that Airplane or The Naked Gun series is, but it’s a similar sensibility. I rewatched Airplane a few months ago, and didn’t laugh nearly as much as I did at Better Off Dead this afternoon.
It’s a film that needs multiple viewings to really appreciate. There are so many little moments – the little hop that Ricky does while chasing a balloon, Curtis Armstrong mouthing “wake up” at the fetal pig during his geometry class.
Finally, this is one of the more quotable of the cult films of the ’80s.
“That’s a real shame, when people be throwing away a perfectly good white boy like that.”
“I want my two dollars!”
“Go that way, very fast. If something gets in your way, turn!”
“I’ve been going to this high school for seven and a half years. I’m no dummy.”
So, for fans of the film, find some time to watch it this weekend. For those who haven’t seen it, give it a shot.
Published in General
Ha!
Then I’ll pass.
It’s more of a “you won’t necessarily catch everything the first time” kind of movie. Plus some of the silliness might be a little off-putting to an older* first-time viewer, until you see how it all fits together.
I was in my late 20s the first time I saw it. I’m 58 now and it still cracks me up. Like visiting an old friend.
From an interview with Dan Schneider:
Now I want to see the balloon scene.
A scene I didn’t mention.
I do not believe in a pre-annoying John Cusack.
HA!
This is probably a film I have seen parts of on streaming video. And never found out its name.
Anyway, I like everything with Cusack. Although now that you mention it, he has become increasingly annoying over the years.
So thanks, I’m going to put it on tonight’s watch list.
I watch that movie at least once a year.
It’s definitely one of my 25 top 10 favorite films.
Damn. 1985 is the best year ever for movies:
Better Off Dead
Back To The Future
Teen Wolf
Weird Science
Summer Rental
Real Genius
National Lampoon’s European Vacation
Just One of the Guys (starring one of the hottest chicks ever (and She shows Her boobs at the end))
Goonies
Spies Like Us
Brewster’s Millions
Cocoon
What an epic year for movies.
The Sure Thing
So Better Off Dead is where that line came from.
Maybe I’ll see it one day.
“I could be at home right now drinking a monster eggnog that my brother makes with lighter fluid.”
One guy loved the movie so much that he tracked down the 1967 Camaro used in the film, purchased it, and restored it to its full glory: https://www.chevyhardcore.com/news/better-off-dead-camaro-found-and-restored-to-its-former-glory/
Did he have help from a hot French girl?
No?
Then it’s not authentic.
“This is pure snow! Can you imagine the street value of this mountain!”
1986 can give it a run for its money.
Aliens
Top Gun
Ferris Bueler
Delta Force
Hoosiers
The Mission
One Crazy Summer
The Karate Kid II
Running Scared
The Money Pit
Iron Eagle
And let’s not forget,
Rad
More evidence that the 80s were the best decade ever.
How do I find it? Not on Netflix, and apparently I cannot even pay to rent on Amazon….
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7bidwu
Really? Yer using that as evidence?
I recently (a week ago) bought this DVD for $5.95 at Amazon, but it’s not available that cheap anymore. Any 20th Century Cusack is worth watching. There’s a reason Ben Rector talks about him in his fun song, Brand New.
I bought it on Amazon Prime a decade ago. Along with “Real Genius”, another favorite.
Sure. It was a quality sequel, better cinematography than the original, good premise, solid acting. The first was better for its nostalgia but the second kinda holds up better for modern audiences I’d wager.
Good to great films with 20th Century John Cusack:
16 Candles
The Sure Thing
Better Off Dead
The Journey of Natty Gann
Stand By Me
Broadcast News
Tapeheads
Eight Men Out
Say Anything (great, great film)
The Grifters
The Player
Bullets Over Broadway
Gross Point Blanke
Con Air
The Thin Red Line
Pushing Tin
Being John Malkovich
High Fidelity (2000, so still 20th century under the correct definition
Okay to decent films with 21st century John Cusack:
Runaway Jury
Must Love Dogs
The Ice Harvest
1408
Love and Mercy
and that’s about it
I showed my daughter “Say Anything” a couple of years ago, and she hated it.
It took a lot for me to not yell at her.
I love Grosse Pointe Blank. Hysterical movie.
Put the crack pipe down.