I'm not so sure as to whether I should call this post a review or just a revisit. I have seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off countless times at this point in my life. It's a film I enjoy greatly, but always end up forgetting exists until it's referenced somewhere and that itch to watch it returns. Director John Hughes had a really fun sort of magic to his films, and while you may not know the name, you definitely have seen some of his films in the past. This aforementioned magical style is mostly unmatched, setting a standard for family films that few seem to reach. Though, I think the whole fun of his creations comes from a place of deep adventure. Looking at life in a creative, exciting manner and exploring the mind that often is found within youth. The angst, the burning energy to do and move, and the total disregard for norms that often just don't make sense enough to follow. His protagonists are often troublemakers, those who stand up and hold some degree of independence. The Breakfast Club likely being the most famous of his works and best title that sums up the characters he creates.
Over the years I have seen a lot of theories regarding Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The most famous alleges that Bueller doesn't even exist. How can the main character not exist? It seems like a pretty strange and farfetched idea to hold regarding a teen comedy film, but with this revisit I can absolutely see why many have managed to come to this conclusion. There is one aspect of this theory that I do agree with: Bueller is not the main character, after all. That would be Bueller's best friend: Cameron. The theory's point of view paints Bueller as a figment of Cameron's imagination, an aspiration of who he wants to be. Charismatic, liked by everyone, floating through life like it's nothing. Having a beautiful girlfriend and just void of all concern, a person that really lives in the moment. My main issue with this part of the theory is that without Bueller, Cameron doesn't have anyone to pull him through life and out of his comfort zone. The two need to exist for Cameron's story to have any sense and weight to it. Bueller is Cameron's glimpse at what could be like, but wouldn't be experienced without him. Basically, the two need each other by being opposites.
The carefree nature of Bueller needs Cameron's idle, grounded perspective in order for there to be, well, order! Without it, we wouldn't really see how extreme Bueller can be; his girlfriend, after all, sort of just follows him around and doesn't contribute much. This said, regardless of who is the main character here, the film really is about escapism. Finding ways to enjoy the present and free your mind from the chaos of everyday life that ultimately has no true value. Of course that idea of balance is a fundamental perspective to have.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Ferris Bueller's Day Off introduces itself with Bueller, a student that is making up a very blatantly false illness to his parents in order to get approval to stay home for the day. Managing to fool his parents, but not his sister, he manages to get that approval to stay home on his own. Bueller's character is highly charismatic, full of energy and full of independence. The very idea of a lone wolf. Though sooner than later we actually start to see that Bueller isn't as cool and independent as all seems. Everyone at school is praising him and rumours spread that he's dying of an illness, leading to much speculation and charitable pursuits in his name. Starved for attention, Bueller can't help but still phone in at school and try to speak to people; still insisting on being liked and the centre of attention while home. This takes a larger extreme as he manages to convince his best friend Cameron, who actually is sick and in bed at home, to get up and meet him to spend the day together. Then taking things to another level to get his girlfriend out of school by making up stories while calling the school. Just through the film's initial setup, Bueller is painted as quite a cool person. Full of confidence and wit, capable of getting out of any situation and always getting what he wants. But it's the way the film displays these moments that I found quite interesting. As I mentioned before, Bueller is actually doing this to fill in the void of his own character. Ruining the lives of others so that he isn't lonely in his pursuit of excitement.
Juxtaposed with these ideas are the comedic scenes that exaggerate the boredom of school life. Classes in which the children are just zombies, zoned out and drooling on themselves teachers speaking about boring subjects and with a strong, nasal tone that is void of emotion and life. It's really interesting to see how the film almost encourages you to support Bueller as if he is doing the right thing by pulling his friends away from education and rest. As if he really is doing them a favour by doing so. Cameron's character is mostly against everything that Bueller suggests. Almost against everything that Bueller stands for! He's a character that comes from a wealthy background, full of expectations and structure. Rather than the chaotic in-the-now approach to life Bueller is, void of planning and future. Though the future does come to conversation at one point. Even directly to us through one of Bueller's narrations of his thoughts to the camera. It becomes even more clear that Bueller's constant movement is in fact a result of fear. To keep moving is Bueller's escapism, not necessarily enjoyment of the present in a healthy, authentic manner. It is clear that this "day off" is instead an outcome of anxiety. Speaking in another dialogue regarding to the future, Bueller speaks on his fears of change, as school ends and the opportunity of losing his friends has plagued his mind. Cameron would go off to a better, different college. His girlfriend, younger than him by one year, would still be in school while he runs off to college himself. During this little narration, Bueller even brings up the truth in a prior statement on his relationship with his girlfriend: he was genuinely serious about wanting to marry her one day. Seriousness isn't some thing that we see from Bueller at all through the film until that point. The depression sets in for the characters.
Cameron's depression is a result of a tough upbringing. His father being very successful, but not around. Cameron longing for a father figure but feeling the pain of trying to live up to the expectations of his parents. All while bored of life while constantly clinging to its rules. He is an energetic character in parts, but has a quiet, very introverted nature to him. Speaking rarely, being the third wheel in the friend group; also looking deep into a painting in which a family is depicted. The camera zooming in more and more on the child in the painting. Cameron sees himself here. The lack of childhood and resemblance of what a healthy family should be. For Cameron, the film is a bit of a wake-up call. An experience that leads to the epiphany regarding all his worries and struggles. There is genuine growth for his character throughout the film, but for Bueller, there actually isn't. It's clear that those former anxieties of the future were the reason behind the whole day to begin with; and these concerns he has are never met with any confirmation that things will be okay going forward. Cameron looks at the present, while Bueller looks to the future. This makes the two total opposites, but a perfect friendship that allows for these conflicting ideas to be explored.
The truth is, all of us have felt these concerns in life. These two characters sum up us all. Full of fears that control us and lead us astray into self-destruction, even if we think we are in the pursuit of something good for us. John Hughes captures this anxiety perfectly, by providing a plethora of ups and downs and various unique environments in which all of these emotions are felt. At the baseball game. At the stock exchange. In the street during a parade. Or even at the school where a principle's main priority becomes to ruin Bueller. Interestingly, all of the main characters have some sort of fear displayed. Even Bueller's sister who seeks to also catch Bueller shows a jealously towards him for his ability to get away with everything while she and others follow the rules and suffer. Ultimately, who is really right? Hughes doesn't promote and particular idea to answer the depression and anxiety displayed, but he does ensure the film ends on a positive note. Having given us what feels like one last adventure together for the characters. As if a page of their lives had ended, and been turned over to reveal a new chapter. It is difficult to think of how else to praise this film. It's beautiful with the characters and message it has. So full of life, emotion, and adventure. It captures the whole portrayal of what it means to live in the first place. And the conclusion really just is that we are all along for the ride. Can we chose our fate? Perhaps. Should we let it consume us? Perhaps not. All we can do is let things happen. Enjoying the moments we can, learning from them to be better.
