As the Squidster said on his blog, here’s a prompt for the hop:
The greatest films stand the test of time, speaking to us in different ways at various life stages. Is there a movie that was a part of your life when you were younger that you see differently now? Like fine wine, has it improved with age or did it die in the bottle? Has maturity brought you new insights you missed in your youth? We want to know all about it!
The movie I choose is the happy coming of age story Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
I adored this movie when it launched in 1986, my freshman year of high school. It was one of the funniest movies I’d ever seen. What a classic take on American high school.
I was a goody-two-shoes in school. I studied like a big ole nerd, and I didn’t have time or energy to misbehave due to swimming and volleyball. In contrast, this movie was all about FUN! I was so nervous when Ferris impersonated the sausage king of Chicago–that would be something I could never do.
There are some great lessons the characters teach us:
1) Focus on your own happiness. (Ferris’s sister Jeannie)
2) Use your voice. Stand up for yourself. (Ferris’s best friend Cameron)
3) Don’t worry so damn much. Things will work out! (Ferris)
Now that I’m in my forties, this movie is even more brilliant. I have an anxious brain that worries easily, and it’s important to remind myself to seize the day. I may not have the panache of Ferris, but I admire his spontaneity and faith in himself and his friends.
The teen romance was nice, but not a big part of the movie for me as a 9th grader. I now realize how important a great love story is. If a movie or book lacks a compelling romance, I don’t enjoy it as much. This is a sweet scene from FBDO:
How did you like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, then and now?
Now hop on over to participating blogs:
Jennifer Lane Books 
I think I appreciate Cameron's character a lot more as an adult.
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It is a very unique movie. I think this is one film that has withstood the test of time well.
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Suze, I agree. The actor who played Cameron gave a great performance, too. \”When Cameron was in Egypt land… Let my Cameron gooooo.\” LOL
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Stephanie, from one Faris to another, I agree it's still a great flick.
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Marvelous choice! I totally agree that this movie holds up. I think I appreciate it even more as an adult than I did as a teen. Danke schoen…
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I had no idea I gave off such a feminine vibe… The Squid's a dude.Ferris Bueller literally changed my life. The Twist and Shout scene put me on a journey of musical self-discovery which I still follow today. Thanks for the post and for playing our little game.
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To enjoy the moment is never a bad lesson to learn! The movie does hold up. And romance is the cornerstone of most great stories! 🙂
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LOVE this movie! And I agree, as you age, the Cameron character seems less the stick-in-the-mud and more representative of aging in general, like he is the mature self while Ferris remains the younger, free spirit. This movie actually has a lot of deeper undertones. And I love how Sloane's style is still actually pretty cool. She doesn't look nearly as dated as many '80s teens with the big hair and obnoxious clothes.
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This movie does stand the test of time. Teens still like it.
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Nicki, now you've got me singing that. Another awesome scene!
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'\”When Cameron was in Egypt land… Let my Cameron gooooo.\”':D TOTALLY! I still sing that here and again just for kix.
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The Squid's a DUDE! 😮 My apologies–I will rectify that. I tried to find a little bio on your site but failed, so I made an assumption. But then I made an ass out of you and me. Wow, that's so cool the impact of the Twist and Shout scene on your life!
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Roland, I try to learn that lesson every day and it challenges me! Thanks for taking a moment from your day to share a moment with me.
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Stephsco, I never thought about that but you're right that Sloane's fashion and personality are uber-cool then AND now. She is someone for us all to aspire to (speaking as a high school student who felt anything but cool). Loved the Ferris-Cameron friendship. I guess opposites really do attract.
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Susan, I didn't know that teens still like this movie, but of course! How could they not fall prey to Ferris Bueller's charm?
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OMG Suze–one of my favorite parts of that movie. Cameron was such a lovable depressive. Maybe standing up to his father will help him out of his depression? We can all hope!
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I still enjoy Ferris, as do my now-adult children. It was quite a thrill to see Matthew Broderick on Broadway in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. It was Ferris right in front of us, smiling that charming smile.Love,Janie
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Every time I see this movie I laugh.So that is a great way to measure a movie I think.And I loved Cameron too !Great choice of movie.cheers, parsnip
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Janie, I also loved Matthew in The Producers. He has a great comedic flair!
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Parsnip, I agree–laughing my butt off is a great measure of an excellent movie! Though I also love a movie that makes me cry.
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Hi, Jen,This is a great film. I really enjoyed it. I haven't seen it in years, but I get where you're going with your comments…I guess it's natural for us to become more anxious/cautious as we age. In our twenties and thirties we are more carefree and have our whole live ahead of us. WE can take risks and not have to worry too much because we have time to correct our mistakes and take another path.BUT later on our paths are narrowed. Life isn't easy. With age comes responsibilities and commitments to our spouses, children, and aging parents. Life isn't so carefree, not with the weight of the world resting on our shoulders.Thankfully we have books and movies to free us, even for a little while. Such a lovely escape to lose ourselves in our favorite movies and act like kids again….Terrific choice, Jen. Thanks for sharing with us!
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Michael, I've always been a worrier and for me it's gotten a little less as I age since my confidence has grown. But these adult responsibilities can sure weigh on me. It is nice to escape into movies like Ferris or Wizard!
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It's been a very long time since I've seen this one. Watched it on video years ago. As I recall I liked it, but I don't recall much about it though. It's a classic.LeeTossing It Out
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Wow, I thought I was alone in my mad Cameron love! He just made this movie. I can still sit and watch this one, and really…I can't say that for many of the so called \”classics.\”This is definitely a classic and it also made me love Ben Stein.Thanks,Cherdowww.cherdoontheflipside.com
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Hey Lee, an oldie but a goodie. It even had Charlie Sheen!
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Cherdo, this was my first introduction to Ben Stein and I continue to love him. And Cameron is a precious character!
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This movie was fun to watch, and always seems to draw you in. I remember Bueller hitching a ride on the float and singing quite well.
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I loved the parade in Chicago with Bueller crooning Twist and Shout and Danke Schein!
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Classic movie!Funny, must be a sign of the times, but I see films made now based on high school and they seem so alien and lacking in charm. Those made in the 80's were so amazing, charming, and universal. What happened?
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Alex, you didn't think Twilight was up to snuff for a teenage flick? *snorts*
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What an awesome, awesome choice! This is one that I've shared with my teenage daughter and it's very cool that she loves it too. I too admired and wanted to be more like Ferris, to have his \”seize the day\” state of mind. I liked the character of Cameron the most then and just as much today. As much as I admired Ferris, it was much easier for me to relate to worrying and insecure Cameron. :)Thanks for sharing this on our Bloghop!Nancy at Hungry Enough To Eat Six
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Hey Nancy! That's so fun to watch these 80's movies with your daughter and find that she appreciates them too. I agree that Cameron is highly relatable. I might have even sung his Egyptian dirge a time or too when I woke up sick, ha!
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No problem. You're not alone. At least four people in the hop made the same assumption you did. I'd say I should work harder at projecting a masculine vibe but that's silly. I'd rather embrace the ambiguity
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