I grew up in the '70s and '80s with the benefit of older siblings. And while it's hard for me to admit that I'm already 34, I'm trying to own it. There are plenty of artifacts from my formative years that I am proud of – and many that I'm embarrassed by, as well. Such as the role boxers played in my middle school. We wore them to school (with long underwear underneath and plain white canvas sneakers with no laces, usually). In high school, our bangs weren't "mall bangs" – they were just bangs – held up tightly with Stiff Stuff hairspray. I had early Mötley Crüe and Metallica cassettes (I'm so sorry, Mom and Dad). My older sibs subjected me to plenty of vinyl – Styx, Rush, Kiss, Meatloaf. But it wasn't all terrible; proof of point: I had all of Steve Martin's A WILD AND CRAZY GUY memorized by the time I was 8. Of course, I didn't understand most of it until middle school. I remember laughing aloud in Mr.Greeno's math class in 7th grade because I had just gotten one of Steve's R-rated punchlines.
And as for the movies, I grew up on some pretty good ones. I learned about sex from THE BLUE LAGOON and FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH. LITTLE DARLINGS made me happy to be a girl when I was in about 5th grade, and then many years later, MERMAIDS reiterated that feeling for me. FOOTLOOSE made me happy my hometown allowed, nay, encouraged, drinking and dancing.
In one of my freshman communication classes last quarter, I made a HEATHERS reference and none of them got it. Twenty blank faces stared at me. Not one of them had seen it! Of course, they've seen other canonical films from Gen X, like FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, SAY ANYTHING, THE BREAKFAST CLUB, but no HEATHERS, no DREAM A LITTLE DREAM, no THE LOST BOYS. WTF? I've seen their NAPOLEON DYNAMITEs. So I'm taking this opportunity to share with those a bit younger than yours truly three films that had a major impact on my formative years.
1. HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971)
Released before I was born, HAROLD AND MAUDE is listed as my favorite movie for a reason. I saw it for the first time on a Saturday 
"Yes, when you ride with me, you ride bitch." |
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afternoon in 11th grade. I sit every new friend and boyfriend down to watch it with me, and I've shown it numerous times in my classes, so it would be impossible to gauge an exact number of viewings. Let's just say I wore out two VHS tapes. HAROLD AND MAUDE should be required viewing for all high school seniors. There has never been a funnier movie with more heart, and I doubt there ever will be. Bud Cort (Megan's father in BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER, amongst many other films) is Harold, a lonely boy fascinated with death, and Ruth Gordon (the mother of Carlton the Doorman on RHODA and probably best known for her Oscar-winning role in ROSEMARY'S BABY) is Maude, a 79 year-old Holocaust survivor with more wisdom than any of the authority figures in the film, a stronger moral compass than the police, and more soul than Harold's priest.
Many people (including the Farrellys' beloved Mary) are tempted to pass H & M off as a love story, but it's so much more than that. It's an anti-war, anti-conformity powerhouse with some of the best casting and satire in existence. Maude teaches Harold, and also the audience, that money can't buy happiness (but I swear the film does it in a totally non-cliche way) and not to allow ourselves to be treated as mere numbers, because together we create a world full of individuals.
2. MY CHAUFFEUR (1986)
Deborah Foreman (best known for starring opposite Nic Cage in VALLEY GIRL) stars as Casey Meadows, an adorable dishwasher who is mysteriously offered a job as a limo driver. Luckily, she used to drive a school bus, so she has the proper license. Still, many questions arise immediately: Who offered her the job? What is the rich, handsome guy's problem? Who knew Howard Hessman had a job between WKRP and HEAD OF THE CLASS? Not only is this film a mystery, a romance and a good, old-fashioned rags to riches story, it also marks the start of Penn & Teller as a comedic duo. The hilarious and unusual version of the license plate game is always a big hit with viewers, as are the colorful characters Casey chauffeurs. It's just a 
"Damn you, Kenny Loggins! Get out of my head!" |
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sweet, funny movie that most people I ask have never seen. I still quote Casey all the time. My favorite is to do variations on: "My it's hot out here. But at least it ain't sticky. I hate it when it's sticky." I'm not embarrassed to say, in high school, I had quite a girl crush on Deborah Foreman. Perhaps I still do.
3. SHE'S HAVING A BABY (1988)
Anyone around my age understands the contribution that John Hughes has made in the world of film. (Let's just not talk about the BEETHOVEN franchise, okay?). He directed and/or wrote many of my generation's favorite comedies, including WEIRD SCIENCE, SIXTEEN CANDLES, FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, and even UNCLE BUCK (which I want to see again just so I can say, "Look at how big that pancake is! That's so funny!"). Without Hughes, we'd have no idea who Michael Anthony Hall or Molly Ringwald are.
But an often overlooked little gem in his filmography is SHE'S HAVING A BABY. The film takes place, of course, in suburban Chicago, and is about a young newlywed couple, Jake (Kevin Bacon) and Kristy (Elizabeth McGovern) who, as you might have guessed based on the title, decide to start a family. But it's not all smooth going. Jake's friend puts the joys of single-livin' in his face, and Jake's fantasy life haunts him. Was it a good idea to marry your high school sweetheart, Jake? Can you be happy going to work every day instead of being a writer, Jake? Can you handle being judged by your in-laws, Jake? It's a very funny flick (thanks especially to Alec Baldwin, who plays Jake's best friend). And because of some great chemistry between Bacon and McGovern, it's a very warm film as well. If you can make it through the "This Woman's Work" scene without crying, or at least getting a little misty-eyed, you have no soul. Or you're dehydrated. Drink something. And stick around for the end, as many celebs (Bill Murray, Magic Johnson, John Candy, Matthew Broderick, Belinda Carlisle, even Wil Wheaton) offer their suggestions for baby names. If anything, it's fun to laugh at the hairstyles.
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| Take Your Queue From Du |
Every other Sunday
Semi-wholesome Midwestern girl and certified Geek Magnet offers her suggestions - often new, sometimes classic - for DVDs that are definitely queue-worthy.
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| Denise DuVernay |
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