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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
No. I would have walked out if I hadn’t fallen asleep.
Teen Wolf? It must have been a while since you’ve seen it. Here:
Lol.
I was in Vanuatu on a diving trip 20-something years ago, and that was on pretty much constant repeat when we weren’t on the boat. I am so tired of that movie.
Loved this movie! Haven’t seen it since the ’80’s! I am going to force my children to watch it tonight (and they are going to like it)!
This post is the reason I love Ricochet.
I was delighted to see many of the locations from Better Off Dead while I was serving in Burbank, Ca while on my LDS mission, especially the car wash (700 feet from my apartment) where Lane drives through with the paper boy on top of the station wagon.