How many of us can remember a really good day in our lives? I don’t mean the day your child was born, or the day you met your soul mate, or got married. Those are a given and have to receive an incredibly high rating. I am talking about a day filled with joy or amazement or awe or laughter, or just a fantastic feeling that took you to another plane and has remained in your memory boxes ever since. It might not be the biggest trip or cruise. It might not have been expensive. It shouldn’t be about what you have achieved. No, having a great day is all about discovery and peeling back the layers tucked safely, quietly away.
I believe I have been truly blessed, even though I have experienced more than my share of loss, heartbreak, and sadness. I have also had days that filled me up as I soared with happiness. Our lives have to balance in order to maintain meaning and purpose. Our souls should not be led by fear. We have to be able to say out loud what a fun ride we have had with hopefully few regrets.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around, you could miss it.”
I have a favorite painting that, every time I look at it, fills my soul with tremendous joy and peace. When I was teaching, I led a tour to Chicago just so I could see the original at one of the city’s fine art museums. The painting by Georges Seurat is formerly known as A Sunday Afternoon On The Island of La Grande Jatte. (The painting is also remembered as Sunday in the Park due to the massive success of the Broadway musical titled SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. The Seurat painting is blown up and used as the background for every scene in the play.) The entire painting features thousands of tiny dots that creatively introduce the pointillism technique. It is a painstaking process that takes years to refine and reproduce. It is an impressionistic masterpiece. I remember every second of that moment when I entered the area where the painting is displayed. Seeing it for the first time “for reals” (as my four-year-old grandson would say) took my breath away. I couldn’t move. Every hair on my arm was standing up, and my entire body was covered with goosebumps. Tears leaked. I felt pure joy surround me. I could not stop smiling. This memory is etched and cherished forever whenever I close my eyes. It still has the power to fill my very being.
There are a few movies that actually mirror life-changing moments. Cameron (Alan Ruck) had a similar epiphany to mine in the 1986 film FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. This light-hearted, finely-crafted John Hughes feature holds a special place in the hearts of most teachers, educational staff, administrators, parents, and students. This one spectacular day showed millions how to truly live as our journeys unfolded. It is how I try to stay in the moment to relish whatever comes next.
FBDO did not win any Oscars, but it did make exactly what it cost to produce during its premiere weekend. It was a huge box-office success, grossing over $70 million. It featured memorable lines that are still repeated today whenever teachers take roll (“Bueller…Bueller…Bueller”) or when introducing a new lesson in class. (“Anyone…Anyone.”) This cracks me up every time I see it, and the actor Ben Stein, who portrayed the Economics teacher, was an authentic teacher. He improvised that entire lesson and added those outrageous lines. Hughes, the director and writer, loved what he did so much that he kept it in the final cut. Genius collaboration.
Hughes was a master at creating coming-of-age movies. (PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES, HOME ALONE) He wanted his actors to feel free to add their own two cents whenever possible. He used to keep the cameras rolling just to make sure he caught every ad-libbed jewel. This happened during the parade scene in downtown Chicago. Everything was planned and choreographed, but since it took several days to complete, word spread, and the crowds watching grew bigger every day. The spontaneous dancing of the fans was caught on celluloid and became a part of the joyous scene. When Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) picked up the clarinet as a joke and tried to blow it, Hughes caught it on camera and made it a part of the scene. He also captured the improvised line, “Never had one lesson.” Hughes designed Bueller’s bedroom as well, making it reminiscent of his own childhood.
Broderick (THE PRODUCERS, WAR GAMES) was a hoot in FBDO. He has the innate ability to capture every outrageous line and action with complete wonder and child-like excitement. This acting skill has enabled him to enjoy a long career portraying teenagers and young adults. His dry, deadpan tone lends itself to delivering sarcasm and angst with perfect timing. A fun fact about his sister, Jeanie (Jennifer Grey), DIRTY DANCING was their real-life budding romance. They met during the shoot and became a couple for years after, even becoming engaged, but never actually tying the knot.
The three friends, Sloane (Mia Sara), Cam, and Ferris, clicked perfectly together. Whether they were in the pool, at a ball game, seeing magnificent pieces of art, riding in the Corvette convertible, or eating lunch at a fancy restaurant, they were believable and fun to watch. Their crazy escapades had a ring of truth surrounding every scene. It didn’t matter if they were brooding or laughing out loud at their own schtick; it all felt like this was exactly what teenagers would do if given the means and time. It always made me jealous that I didn’t do any of their crazy antics when I was their age.
Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) was hilarious. He made me cringe every time he tried to catch Bueller. He is a consummate comedy actor, holding each beat just a hair longer to get that phenomenal timing. His lack of facial reaction added power to every line, but his staring, unblinking eyes made each second explode with delight. His line, “any cheese in the wind,” was not planned, and made him almost seem human. His bits with Grace (Edie McClurg) had me rolling on the floor with laughter. Edie was also a great improviser whenever possible.
Charlie Sheen (boy at the police station) created a bad-boy image for most of his career and got his start with FBDO. He made himself appear like a drug addict for this role by not sleeping for 48 hours. Those droopy eyes captured the hearts of many young girls.
Hughes hand-picked every song for FBDO. He bookended the opening and closing with the hit song, OH YEAH. I remember my kids and students responding to every question I asked with a silly OH YEAH reply. Clever choices to be sure.
What I loved about FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF was that there wasn’t any sex, cussing, or unkind actions. Every moment was spent helping people of all ages remember what it feels like to be young and carefree. There will be time enough to work, pay bills, and fret over daily decisions. This is the time for “taking a stand,” never being afraid, and “never going too far.” Great lessons for everyone, no matter how many times we celebrate another birthday.
FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF is still deliciously entertaining. It is a light-hearted, comedic ’80s classic. It can be enjoyed by the entire family, and there aren’t many of those around anymore. My advice is when you watch, be sure to pick up a few black berets and paisley vests so everyone can TWIST AND SHOUT with abandon.
FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF is available on TCM.
