The Next Reel Film Podcast

Director Amy Heckerling got her start with ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High,’ but how does it hold up today? So many incredible young performers early in their careers in this film – Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sean Penn, Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold, Forest Whitaker, Anthony Edwards, Eric Stoltz, even Nicolas Cage! Who are the standouts? Is the film enough of a comedy or is it too serious? And how about the music? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!

Show Notes

"What are you waiting for? You’re 15 years old!”

Cameron Crowe already had success as a writer when he went undercover and posed as a high school student to write his book “Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story.” Of course, he was high school age so it made perfect sense. Perhaps that’s why the film adapted from his book feels so authentic of the time and of these youths portrayed. And perhaps part of that is because of how first-time director Amy Heckerling approached the subject matter – for a teen sex comedy, this is actually carrying some fairly heavy themes. But how well do these themes work for us? Turns out they work really well for Andy but not as well for Pete.

Still, it’s a nostalgic flashback to our own youths! Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our 10th season with the ‘80s Comedy with Coolidge & Heckerling’ series, starting with Heckerling’s 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Here’s a hint at what we talk about in this episode looking at Heckerling’s film.

The film completely brings us back to our younger days with popped collars and bigger hair. The story, however, doesn’t completely work for Pete because it’s spread across too many characters and we don’t get enough time to really connect with any of them. Andy feels the story completely works and operates well as a depiction of the adult world these kids are starting to deal with. Perhaps the problem is that the filmmakers seemed to feel that Jeff Spicoli, played by Sean Penn, was the lead when in reality, it seems to be Stacy’s film (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh).

Regardless, it’s an incredible cast of young actors from the day – a good number in their first roles – and they all do great. There are some strong scenes that carry a lot of weight, but perhaps not enough payoff for them? The music is great and the look completely feels right. Heckerling approaches the film from a matter-of-fact perspective that makes the situations feel real, but perhaps that’s also why it’s harder to connect.

But it’s a film that has a lot more to it than many other teen sex comedies from the decade and to that end, this one definitely stands out. We have a great time talking about it as we kick off our new season. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.