I found copious amounts of subtle wisdom in this film. Take for instance, the line: “Frist of all Rat, you never let on how much you like a girl.” In this scene the outgoing and sociable bookie Mike Damone (Robert Romanus) gives his pal “Rat” (Brian Backer) much needed advise about the ladies. I know that I could have used this information on campus this past winter, which was as cold as it was dry (TMI?). Nonetheless, sensible quotes like Damone’s are scattered throughout the film, proving what a fantastic job director Amy Heckerling does at highlighting classic high-school stereotypes. Happening in California, Fast Times at Ridgemont High depicts a typical American high-school through the eyes of a stoner, a jock, a straight shooter, a ticket scalper, and a couple of divas. Most notable about FTRH is the cast. Notorious stoner and surfer Jeff Spicoli, giving serious advise like, “People on ‘ludes should not drive,” is played by a very young and long-haired Sean Penn. Penn is joined by Judge Reinhold, Forest Whitaker, and a personal celebrity crush of mine, Phoebe Cats. FTRH hits the nerve of late 70’s early 80’s mall culture. It may seem ironic to say, but there is depth to this film as it captures almost perfectly a generation of youth culture. It also forecasts a decade of buddy-comidies that riddled the 80’s, including Weekend at Bernie’s (’89), Summer School (’87), and Bachelor Party (’84).