Never have the same words being repeated over and over again in the monotone voice of Ben Stein as an Economics teacher sounded more hysterical. John Hughes set the bar pretty high with his youth culture films of the eighties. Having worked on such films as The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Home Alone, just to name a few, his filmmaking genius has become that of legend. His death in 2009 sent shockwaves through the movie industry, but his wonderful and youthful films live on. In my opinion, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of the best films related to youth.
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This photo shows the actors on set.
The character of Cameron in many of today’s movies would more than likely be the main character. Jason Biggs in the film American Pie would be a good example of this. Cameron’s, hypochondriac, poor me, almost depressing outlook on life is a stark contrast to his friends loving life, carpe diem style attitude. Almost unwillingly, Cameron is led like a lost puppy, coaxed out of his house and on the adventure by his friend. They travel all through the city of Chicago for one of the greatest days of Cameron’s life and a one day trip into manhood and self-realization.
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Throughout the first part of the film, Cameron is almost always seen in the background of the scenes. He even rides in the back seat of his own father’s car in the photo above to the left. In the above right photo, he is still seen in the back of the photo but is slowly coming to the front at this point in the film. It’s almost as though he doesn’t want to stand out so that he will not to draw attention to himself. Having a miserable home life and a father who loves his 1961 Ferrari 250GT California more than his own son, Cameron is wrapped in his own self-pity. He is what Ferris could be, but refuses to be. At the point, when Ferris wants to drive the car, the following conversation takes place.
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Throughout the first part of the film, Cameron is almost always seen in the background of the scenes. He even rides in the back seat of his own father’s car in the photo above to the left. In the above right photo, he is still seen in the back of the photo but is slowly coming to the front at this point in the film. It’s almost as though he doesn’t want to stand out so that he will not to draw attention to himself. Having a miserable home life and a father who loves his 1961 Ferrari 250GT California more than his own son, Cameron is wrapped in his own self-pity. He is what Ferris could be, but refuses to be. At the point, when Ferris wants to drive the car, the following conversation takes place.
[Cameron: Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself.
Ferris: A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile.
[Ferris caresses the car in admiration]
Cameron: No. No! Apparently, you don't understand!
Ferris: [ignoring Cameron] Wow.
Cameron: Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper!]
For those of you who are not car enthusiasts like me, there is a reason that this particular car is rubbed with a diaper. There was only a fifty five of this model Ferrari made. The last one that was sold was in 2008 for the small price of $10,894,900, making it the second highest price ever paid for a car at an auction. (Onscreencars) It’s not hard to understand why Cameron was scared.
It’s not until they visit the art museum that Cameron steps forward more, and begins to realize his true worth. Unfortunately, after the group’s adventurous trip through some of the most interesting sites in Chicago, and two valets taking the car for a joy ride, they discover that the amount of miles added to the car will be hard not to notice. But as usual, Ferris has an idea. They will set the car on blocks and put it in reverse so the miles on the odometer will go in reverse as well. After a few minutes, Cameron realizes that the plan is not working. Ferris tells him he was afraid it wouldn’t , and that he needs to crack open the cars odometer and roll it back by hand, which is illegal but it would save his friend from impending doom. Cameron refuses this idea and then goes into a rant about his father’s almost abusive behavior. At this point, he snaps going from fearful to pissed off and begins kicking the crap out of the hood, the grill, and the headlights leaving the front of the car dented up. Realizing that he has to tell his father, he props his foot on the hood of the car, which is now unbalanced on the jacks holding it up. Suddenly, the car falls from the jacks and still being in reverse with blocks on the gas pedal drives through the glass window, plummeting to its death.
The video above shows Cameron’s rant. Ferris offers to take the rap for the car but at this moment Cameron’s trip into adulthood is clear. He must face the consequences for his actions and talk to his father.
In our youth we all do things that are, well let’s face it, stupid. I remember when I was sixteen I thought I knew it all. I once mouthed off to my own father, who is by the way six foot five and stout as an ox. He placed one hand around my neck, picked me up a foot off the ground, pinned me to the kitchen wall, and drew his other hand back into a fist. He looked me in the eye sat me back on the ground and told me “Go to your room before I do something I’ll regret!” I was never more scared in my life. My father never laid a hand on me in anger, but at that moment I knew he could have killed me. I would have deserved it. Looking back, I probably should have had my ass whooped a lot more than I did, but like I said we all do stupid things when we are young. Maybe it just takes a little life experience for all of us to figure the stupid stuff out. It’s like Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.”
~ William Woodard
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