Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Campy 1980s teen comedy has language, stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
One Crazy Summer
What's the Story?
In ONE CRAZY SUMMER, recent high school graduate/would-be cartoonist Hoops McCann (John Cusack) travels to Nantucket for the summer with his friend George (Joel Murray) in hopes of finding inspiration to finish his art college application—and perhaps write his own love story. Along with their Nantucket friends (including Bobcat Goldthwait), the teens' misadventures quickly turn into "one crazy summer" as they meet distressed singer Cassandra (Demi Moore), who, after being chased by a motorcycle gang, is desperate to find a way to save her grandfather's land from being lobster boiled in the greedy hands of the Beckersted family.
Is It Any Good?
This comedy is about as over-the-top awkward as it was to be a teen growing up in the 1980s. Best for '80s kids who prefer the era's over-the-top campy comedies to plot-driven classics, One Crazy Summer chooses fluff over substance, leaning in to now-cringeworthy stereotypes and dated humor. The uneven scripting forces the movie's screwball comedy to carry the film—with disastrous (if occasionally funny) results. The classic '80s movie tone will appeal to nostalgic viewers, but this Savage Steve Holland/Cusack team-up doesn't compare to their far superior Better Off Dead. Bottom line? It's mostly mindless entertainment with little to no value except to complete your 1980s comedy checklist or see Cusack and Moore during their early years.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how One Crazy Summer compares to other 1980s comedies. Does the over-the-top campy humor hold up today, or does this film seem dated to you? Why or why not?
Hoops has to overcome his fear of water in order to help his friends in this film. What fear did you or could you overcome to help others?
There's an overall theme of lack of consequences in this film. Had this been real life, what do you think the characters' consequences should be?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 8, 1986
- On DVD or streaming : January 1, 2008
- Cast : John Cusack , Demi Moore , Bobcat Goldthwaite , Joel Murray
- Director : Savage Steve Holland
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros. Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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