Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Ferris Bueller's Day Off
1986
**½
Director: John Hughes
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones, Jennifer Grey, Cindy Pickett, Edie McClurg, Lyman Ward, Charlie Sheen

Ferris Bueller pretends to be ill so he can have a day of fun with his girlfriend and best friend, but the school's persistent principal is onto his plan. John Hughes' influential comedy is loved by many, but I didn't warm up to it in 1986 and I fail to see its appeal today. My main problem is that Ferris is a smug and selfish prick, yet he always comes on top. The film has a few nice moments, but it's mostly a tourist commercial for the city of Chicago. Followed by a short-lived TV series in 1990.