Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Exuberant and stacked hopelessly in favor of its chatty title character, this movie is both enjoyable and the king of the "smart kid/oblivious parent" trend. You don't have to be as bright as the hero in Ferris Bueller's Day Off to see how young viewers would enjoy movies that show them as savvy and resourceful, outsmarting uncool authorities at every turn. But back when this premiered in 1986, the clever Bueller was a refreshing change from a too common movie image of teens at the mercy of drugs, their libidos, or the occasional serial slasher. Director John Hughes made his reputation by creating quirky young characters like Ferris who have rich inner lives and realistic personal concerns.

It's both a key to this movie's popularity and a little disquieting that Ferris never faces any consequences for his behavior. Even Bart Simpson usually has to take responsibility. But Hughes justifies Ferris' choices as a healthy response to self-centered and materialistic adults like Cameron's father. In the end, it's poor Cameron who takes the fall for the gang, but even he looks forward to the opportunity to defy his (unseen) "old man," who is accused of valuing the Ferrari more than his son. A good question, though, would be whether carefree Ferris will be any better when (if?) he grows up.