Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Amy Heckerling, 1982
R; 90 minutes

“This movie’s DNA lives on in every pair of black-and-white-checked slip-on Vans, every utterance of ‘awesome,’ and every teen sex scene that’s honest enough to show something more truthful than soft-focus romance.” –Dana Stevens, The Criterion Collection

Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is a pretty but inexperienced teen interested in dating. Given advice by her uninhibited friend, Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates), Stacy gets involved in a love triangle with nice guy Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) and his more assured buddy, Mike Damone (Robert Romanus). Meanwhile, Stacy’s classmate Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn), who lives for surfing and being stoned, faces off against Mr. Hand (Ray Walston), a strict teacher who has no time for the slacker’s antics.

Celebrate back-to-school festivities with the featured films this September. “My Favorite Films” features tales of romance, humor, suspense, satire, and heroism. This series of films may hold special memories for you—no matter how many times you see them, they draw you in again and again. While many of these films are available through streaming, seeing them in theatre is always more fun.

Make a day of it at the Modern and include extra time to visit the galleries. Enjoy lunch in Café Modern followed by an afternoon screening, or plan for a coffee break afterward with fellow film enthusiasts.

Screenings are at 2 pm most Wednesdays in the auditorium. Tickets are $5 (FREE for Modern members) and are available at the Museum’s admission desk or online. Click here to purchase tickets online.