Class [1983] [DVD]

The best of the young rat pack movies

This 1983 coming of age romantic comedy drama follows  Jonathan Ogner (Andrew McCarthy) who shows up to prep school wearing his school uniform and becomes the butt of the college jokes after his new roommate, Skip (Rob Lowe), humiliates him with a prank but Jonathan gets his own back and the two become fast friends, but when Skip tries to find Jonathan a date, the problems begin and things soon get complicated.  This is quite fast moving but takes a third of the movie to get to the actual plot. There are plenty of teenage type gags, but this is old school humour before the likes of ‘American Pie’ or exposé such as ‘Frat House’ and comes across as much more innocent. There are also many plays on contemporary programmes of the time such as ‘The Waltons’ but there are also plenty of readily understandable gags here, but takes on an overly serious tone from the mid point switching from comedy to tragi-drama. Given its age the picture and sound are fine and Jaqueline Bisset excels as the older woman.The main menu offers play, scene selection, language options [spken: English, Deutsch. Francais, Italiano, Castellano and subtitles: as languages plus Nederlands, Portugues, Greek?] and original theatrical trailer. Rated 15 this has some swearing [including the F word] and despite the sexual theme, avoids outright nudity, featuring only one ‘boob’ shot in a ‘Benny Hill’ moment. The remainder being inexplicit. This also features crossdressing and vomiting in a slapstick manner. Despite this, the humour is funny and it remains a good version of teenage friendship, awkwardness and aspiration without becoming crude. A bit of a mixed bag, but well worth a watch and deserves better than a **** as it characterises a period of film making–the early 80’s.

For a taste of the film plot read Rich Milligan's excellent review. I decided to get this as I have often been inspired by films bearing a resemblance to a "classic" but not actually considered a classic. It does seem that this has a certain element of "The Graduate" in it - college boy and older woman - but not having seen the "classic" I cannot say how much it copies. In it's own right this film is a pleasant one and the cast all give good performances. Rob Lowe carries his part well and Jacqueline Bisset makes a very desirable older woman. The only let down for me was that as the two former friends fight their way across the campus and end up in their room battered and bloodied the film simply comes to an end somewhat abruptly. The various loose ends are tied up, I guess, as the film nears it's conclusion, but I just felt it seemed a bit sudden.

This was one of my favourite films when I was younger and when I realised it was available to buy I ordered it.After watching it, it was just how I remembered it "funny" basically the movie is focused on Jonathan who is shy and looking for romance and Skip his room mate at college who decides the only way to find a woman is to go to a bar in town, so Jonathan does this and meets Ellen who he ends up having a fling with, along the way there is high jinks and catastrophe's one of my favourite bits of the film is when the boys visit the ladies college, and chaos ensues,then of course the ultimate clanger Jonathan goes home with Skip at break and lo and behold is introduced to Skip's mother who happens to be Ellen things get heated and when it becomes clear to Skip that Ellen is Jonathan's dream woman the fireworks begin but there is a happy ending.Although this is an old film and the clothes etc are outdated this adds to the nostalgia of remembering watching this when being younger.

Poor sound quality

Love it

I have watched this film several times, and it still makes me laugh. I know it's pretty ancient now, but if you want a reminder of the Eighties, buy it and have a giggle. Everyone looks so young! The scene round the dinner table after Rob Lowe introduces his Mum - very good.

I love John Hughes films, this one amongst the best. Many stars in it were very young here (Virginia Madsen for one), great humour, it's a must have movie

Inconditionnel de l'actrice Jacqueline Bisset, j'avais été voir plusieurs fois le film lors de sa sortie dans les salles.De plus, j'avais le même âge que le personnage interprété par Andrew McCarthy.......C'est avec un immense plaisir que j'ai fait l'acquisition de ce DVD qui m'a permis de revoir ce film.Ambiance des universités américaines.De l'humour potache bien sûr.Et pour les fans de Virginie Madsen, une scène topless rigolote.

国内のDVDは出ていません。ビデオテ―プのソフトしか持っていなかったので海外版良いと思っていました。ジャクリ―ン・ビセットがたまらなく色っぽい。早く見たかったのですが、これはPAL方式でした。自分はPAL対応プレ―ヤ―を持っていますが、4、5年前にテレビから外してしまったので、再接続しなければなりません。結構厄介です。　PAL方式対応のプレ―ヤ―を持っている人はあまり多くないと思いますので、PALとはっきり表示してほしいと思います。とは言え、ジャクリ―ン・ビセットの魅力に星5つです。

Un comédie sympathique qui nous donne le plaisir de voir deux jeunes artistes en herbe :Andrew Mac Carthy et Rob Lowe ,mais surtout la superbe et trés classe Jacqueline Bisset !La scène de l'ascenceur reste dans les mémoires des ados des années 80 ...