Fast Times at Ridgement High (1982)

My Review

“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” is the quintessential 1980’s coming-of-age comedy well directed by Amy Heckerling in her breakout film. The screenplay was written by Cameron Crowe, adapted from his own book “Fast Times at Ridgement High: A True Story” (1981). He reportedly went undercover at Clairemont High School in San Diego to research this book. It was a hit at the box office for Refugee Films and Universal Pictures.

Several cast members made their film debuts, or early career appearances, here, most notably Sean Penn as the classic stoner/surfer Jeff Spicoli. Others in this same boat include Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates, Nicholas Cage, Eric Stoltz, Forrest Whittaker, and Anthony Edwards. Co-stars include Ray Walston, Vincent Schiavelli, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Nancy Wilson (of the rock band Heart), and television newsman Stu Nahan as himself in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”