“Back to School” is contradictory. Its plot is paper-thin; it’s ridiculous, sophomoric, and juvenile. It’s an ‘80s college movie through and through. But it’s no “Porky’s” or “Meatballs.” In fact, with Rodney Dangerfield at the helm, “Back to School” has enough heart for five movies, channeling an effect it’s doubtless modern films like “Old School” tried in vain to capture. While the film’s progression and plot are as predictable as June weddings, its comedy hits the mark, and its characters are likeable, loveable, and full of heart. The movie is directed by Alan Metter and co-wrote by Dangerfield, and is just wonderfully fun to watch.
The success of the “Back to School” lies obviously with Dangerfield, but also with the camaraderie and bonding between even minor characters. Dangerfield’s Thorton Melon a successful millionaire in his own right, it isn’t until he visits his son Jason (Keith Gordon) at school that the two begin to repair a relationship damaged by Melon’s responsibilities as owner of a nationwide chain of retail clothing stores and a second marriage. Added to the mix are two sidekicks: the silent but menacing Lou (“Rocky’s” Burt Young), and Jason’s ostracized pal Derek, who somehow work as a solid unit despite their oddness. To convince his son to not drop out of college, Thorton enrolls at the school alongside him.
I feel I am failing to convey the humor of this film. When the laughs come, they seldom stop, in a barrage of ridiculous, tear-inducing scenes throughout. “Bring a pitcher of beer every seven minutes until somebody passes out, then bring one every ten minutes,” Thorton instructs a waitress. A legion of Dangerfield’s one-liners make the film irresistible, as when Melon recounts a past wife’s infidelity, or the ridiculously-playful way Melon woes the university’s Dean (Ned Beatty) to allow him entrance into the place. Of course, these are only secondary to scenes that will cause you to bust you gut laughing. Two standouts involve Melon being subjected to various teacher’s whims: one, a business professor whom Melon instructs on business practices in the real world, and another (the hysterical Sam Kinison), who rules his history class with an iron lung.
The acting is solid all-around, though some underdeveloped roles find their way in at times. Dangerfield feels at ease here, playing a character we’ve seen before (“Ladybugs,” “Meet Wally Sparks”), though this time with less aimless one-liners and more purpose. Melon has more of a backstory, and more of a purpose, than some of his other attempts. It’s not to say there are no stand-up comedy one-liners; however, the humor added to the script by other scenes, as well as the sparseness of the jokes, make the film flow smoother than one may think.
As Jason, Keith Gordon does an ample job, and manages to garner likeability and sympathy throughout. A poster-child for responsibility, Jason comes at odds with his dad throughout, in some comic-yet-poignant scenes where his father fails to step back long enough to let Jason hold the reins of his own life. “Because of you, I get my Astronomy homework done for me by NASA!” Jason yells in one humorous scene. However, Gordon’s real achievement here is providing enough of a screen presence to compete with Dangerfield, where a weaker character would have been little more than background noise.
These two are backed up by a short stack of allies, such as Jason’s friend Derek (played hysterically by a young Robert Downey Jr.), Sally Kellerman as a university professor and love interest for Melon, and two villains – a professor set on seeing Melon kicked out of the college (Paxton Whitehead), and a rival campus jock (“The Karate Kid’s” William Zabka). Amidst these, a love interest for Jason (Terry Farrell) adds a soft side to a film that borders on outrageous but thankfully never becomes raunchy (observe it’s ‘PG-13’ rating, where an ‘R’ rating might have been easier to make).
“Back to School” is fun all around and somehow provides escapism in the truest sense. “Animal House” is iconic; yet the experiences of the cast of “Back to School” (Melon excluded), seem more akin to an actual college experience than some other films of its ilk. And the film is funny. Dangerfield and company bring the laughs in bucket-fulls, seldom coming up for air. The film comes full circle in a sweet way, and, lined with a killer ‘80s soundtrack headlined by Oingo Boingo and the wonderful titular track by Jude Cole, this is a fun movie you’ll doubtless fall in love with. “Back to School” provides all of the excitement and laughs of college life but with none of the work. A wonderful achievement.
– by Mark Ziobro
