BACK TO SCHOOL (1986)

Directed By: Alan Metter
Written By: Will Poter, Harold Ramis, Steven Kampmann & Peter Torokvei
Story By: Rodney Dangerfield, Dennis Snee & Greg Fields
Cinematography By: Thomas E. Ackerman
Editor: David Rawlins

Cast: Rodney Dangerfield, Burt Young, Robert Downey Jr., Keith Gordon, William Zbaka, Ned Beatty, Sally Kellerman, Robert Picardo, Paxton Whitehead, Sam Kinison, M. Emmett Walsh, Edie McClurg, Adrienne Barbeau



To help his discouraged son get through college, a funloving and obnoxious rich businessman decides to enter the school as a student himself.

This is a review proof movie as many who appreciate and like the film like myself more or less grew up with this film not only in theaters, but constantly being played on tv and cable. Whenever i see the film i get nostalgic for myyouth.

The film is hilarious. Your enjoyment of the film will be basedon how much you actually enjoy rodeny dangerfield his personea and his comedy. I love him this is part of 4 movies that i love thathe starred in. I will admit the quality of his films went downover the years,but he was getting older and not accustomed to the changing times. Plus his films were never cinematic classics. They are well remembered fun comedies. CADDYSHACK, EASY MONEY, BACK TO SCHOOL and LADYBUGS.

This film eh also got a chance to nurture a young comedian named Sam Kinison. Giving him a small but substantial role. Dangerfield was accustomed to always trying to hep out new comedic talent. Jim Carrey almostgot a rolevin the film before being deemed too young looking. This is also one of the last Acting jobs Keith Gordon (CHRISTINE) took before focusing exclusively on directing. He isvnow a ssuccessful director of television (DEXTER) and Film (MOTHER NIGHT) The film also has a young Robert Downey Jr. as an exuberent Experimental college student. 80's teen movie villian extrodinaire William Zbaka as what else the villian. one of the few problems i have withthe film. Is the love interest for Dangerfield's son isnot that interesting a character and she has no chemistry with gordon. So you never truly see whyhe is head over heels for her and willing to put himslef through so much pain for her.

Originally the script called for Rodney Dangerfield's character to be poor, but they decided to make him rich since he was always playing a poor slob. This let them switchit around a little. It definately paid off more.

The film has plenty of cameos even one by Kurt Vonnegaut Jr. and the score and soundtrack is all Danny elfman. This film certainly has it's charms.

I don't know if all of you will enjoy it as much as i do. I think you should give it a chance if you haven't seen it though. A good Time capsule of the 80's and a goodfilm to see Rodney Dangerfield in his prime. I'm not going to lie this isn't great filmmaking, but it is a fun film to enjoy.

Definately a Must See

GRADE: B-