Fast Times At Ridgemont High (Widescreen Special Edition) (1982)

Editor's Note Nascent filmmaker and then-Rolling Stone journalist Cameron Crowe went undercover in a southern California high school to document the hilarious hijinx of teens in the 1980s. Director Amy Heckerling turned his book into a classic teen comedy--equal parts sex, stoners, sensitivity, and satire. Many of the young cast--most notably, Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh--went on to Hollywood fame. A milestone in '80s teen flicks.

	Eric Stoltz
	Forest Whitaker
	Jennifer Jason Leigh
	Judge Reinhold
	Nicolas Cage
	Phoebe Cates
	Sean Penn
	Amy Heckerling - Director
	Art Linson - Producer
	Cameron Crowe - Based On Novel By
	Cameron Crowe - Screenplay
	Irving Azoff - Producer
	Matthew F. Leonetti - Cinematographer

This highly appealing teen comedy created a host of new stars -- including Sean Penn -- and features a lively rock music soundtrack. The freewheeling story chronicles the sexual insecurities and adventures of a group of Southern California high school students. These shopping mall regulars experiment with drugs, surfing techniques and various fast-food secret sauce combinations. And in class (when they even go to class!) they wreak havoc -- especially when the pizza delivery arrives...

"I shall serve no fries before their time." ---- Brad Hamilton (JUDGE REINHOLD)

"You're the one who told me I was gonna get a boyfriend at the mall." ---- Stacy Hamilton (JENNIFER JASON LEIGH) to Linda Barrett (PHOEBE CATES)

"A way of looking at that wave and saying 'Hey, Bud, let's party.'" ---- Jeff Spicoli (SEAN PENN) describing what it's like to go surfing

"You're wrong. There's no birthday party for me in here!" ---- Jeff Spicoli (SEAN PENN) after being tricked into attending class

Variety
"...The really good part of FAST TIMES is Sean Penn as a spaced-out, irresponsible surfer....Penn is a joy to watch at work....Similarly, Judge Reinhold is terrific..." 08/11/1982

New York Times
"...All these young actors are relaxed, funny and natural. But the movie's real scene stealer is Sean Penn..." 09/03/1982 p.C6

Sight and Sound
"...More sophisticated than the average high-school romp. There's an inspired turn from Sean Penn..." 06/01/2000 p.62

Total Film
"...Lifted by Sean Penn's hugely charismatic, doped-up surfer dude..." 08/01/2003 p.129

Entertainment Weekly
"...It's often thought of as the quintessential 1980s teen flick....It portrayed real teens dealing with real issues..." 01/11/2002 p.38

Premiere
"[This] reality-inspired testament to the cliques, pitfalls, and accidental hilarity of being a teenager coined most of high-school-movie short-hand..." 12/01/2003 p.13

USA Today
"With its surface zest complementing melancholy underpinnings, director Amy Heckerling's take on a smart Cameron Crowe script ambushed everyone who expected just another teen comedy." 03/16/2004 p.6D

Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 9 of 10
Brashly entertaining look at Southern California high school kids, who hang out at the Mall and thin