Fast Times At Ridgemont High Essay

Every generation has a film, book, or a television show that defines its adolescents. On the surface the themes are the same: sex, drugs and self-discovery. As a person starts to pick apart certain films one realizes that there is a lot of hidden lessons. In the 1980’s, Fast Times at Ridgemont High was a film that pushed the boundaries. As a teen comedy it deals with many different issues that teens found themselves dealing with. Such as: sexual intercourse, drugs and even the controversial topic of abortion. Fast forward thirty years and we have American Pie. Another teen comedy that tackles some of the same issues that Fast Times at Ridgemont High dealt with. Again, we see sexual intercourse being the main focus. Unlike Fast Times at Ridgemont High, we see more …show more content…
American Pie also shows underage drinking and how technology can backfire on a person. American Pie takes us on another journey of self-discovery. Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a teen, stoner, and coming of age comedy. There are many different characters in the film that represent the average people one would run in to at a typical high school. Jeff Spicoli, played by Sean Penn, is the typical California surfer dude slacker and is often high on marijuana. Brad Hamilton, played by Judge Reinhold, a high school Senior who works minimum wage jobs to pay off his car. Brad is also Stacy’s older brother. Stacy Hamilton, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, is a naïve high school sophomore. Stacy’s main concern that she voices to her friend Linda is “do you think boys find me attractive?” Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Linda, played by Phoebe Cates, is a sexually experienced high school Senior and Stacy’s confidant. Linda is later seen as an object of desire to Brad. Mike Damone, played by Robert Romanus, is a high school