Fast Times at Ridgemont High [WS] [Special Edition]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Amy Heckerling's adaptation of Cameron Crowe's Fast Times at Ridgemont High is often considered one of the finest films of a disreputable genre (the teen sex comedy), and kick-started the careers of many future stars. The center of this ensemble film is Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stacy Hamilton. She is a young, innocent high-school student who, as the film opens, is asking for advice from her friend, the sexually outspoken Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates). Stacy takes a liking to nebbish Mark Ratner (Brian Backer), but he is too afraid to make a move even after Stacy all but throws herself at him. She eventually hooks up with Mark's more confident best friend, Mike Damone (Robert Romanus). When not concerning itself with these four characters, the film spends time with stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) and his ongoing feud with history teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston). The film includes brief appearances by such future stars as Nicolas Cage, Eric Stoltz, and Forest Whitaker. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Theatre Wide Screen)
• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
• Features:
  • cc
  • New 5.1 surround sound audio
  • Commentary by director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe
  • Documentary: Reliving Our Fast Times at Ridgemont High
  • Totally cool hangouts of Ridgemont High: a video map
  • Awesome '80s music highlights featuring The Cars, Oingo Boingo, Jackson Browne

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Sean Penn - Jeff Spicoli
       Jennifer Jason Leigh - Stacy Hamilton
       Judge Reinhold - Brad Hamilton
       Robert Romanus - Mike Damone
       Brian Backer - Mark Ratner
       Phoebe Cates - Linda Barrett
       Ray Walston - Mr. Hand
       Scott Thomson - Arnold
       Vincent Schiavelli - Vargas
       Amanda Wyss - Lisa
       Anthony Edwards - Stoner Bud

• Director:

  Amy Heckerling

• Producer:

  Art Linson, Irving Azoff

• Screen Story:

  Cameron Crowe

• Screenwriter:

  Cameron Crowe

• Book Author:

  Cameron Crowe

• Cinematographer:

  Matthew Leonetti

• Composer (Music Score):

  Joe Walsh

• Editor:

  Eric Jenkins

• Production Designer:

  John Loggia

• Art Director:

  Daniel Lomino

• Executive Producer:

  C.O. Erickson

• Costume Designer:

  Marilyn Vance

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  Tom Overton

• Makeup:

  Frank Griffin

• First Assistant Director:

  Albert M. Shapiro

• Casting:

  Don Phillips

REVIEW:

• Many teen comedies of the 1980s and 1990s tried to imitate the verve and nerve of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, but few succeeded. Films by John Hughes, such as The Breakfast Club, were much tamer. Others were much more gross and not as well-written. First-time director Amy Heckerling took a typical teen story penned by Cameron Crowe, a gabfest about sex, school, and status, and turned it into a film that is emblematic of an era. The Southern California suburban mall teen scene and its accompanying "Valley Girl" lingo were spreading widely, and this film both nails and lampoons this subculture with knowing effect. With only Taps behind him, Fast Times at Ridgemont High helped a young Sean Penn become the brightest star of a new Hollywood "rat pack" of sassy young actors. Many others, including Phoebe Cates and Judge Reinhold, also were boosted by their roles in the large and talented ensemble cast. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi