What do you think of Ferris Bueller's Day Off?

It's one of the movies I could go either way on. I enjoyed it as a kid, but now it comes off as if Ferris Bueller is too perfect? Everything goes his way, and I mean everything to the point where you wonder if he has some sort of supernatural fantasy power or something. Like he's even able to get on top of a parade without having to face any objection from anyone else in the parade.

He is a flawless protagonist, and maybe he would have benefited from having some sort of flaw, and if he had to face actual obstacles or have some sort of conflict. Him wanting to help his friend deal with his father issues was sweet though, and I like the opening and closing parts of the story.

But what do you think?

Ferris is a psychopath.

No ive never thought he has supe powers. You need to put down whatever youre smokin, pony. Or just share the tears, sit back and relax.

I thought it was a very enjoyable film but I agree, Ferris doesn't go through any character change in the film, he's an entitled dick in the beginning and at the end.

I love that movie just as much now as when I was a kid. I understand what you mean about Ferris being too perfect, but I think it works because it's kind of the whole point of the movie. His ability to dodge everything and get universal praise for it is so extreme its comical. Its kind of like the appeal of an old Bugs Bunny cartoon. If he had some sort of flaw or character arc it would have messed with the purely lighthearted mood of the movie. Ultimately, Ferris could have been annoying if while getting praise he was really full of himself, but he's not, he's just a charming fellow who wants to show his friend and the audience (us), a real good time for a day.

Well Ferris doesn't need an actual character change, I don't mind him being the same character from beginning to end since it's a comedy and all. Even in Back to the Future, Marty doesn't really have a change and it's George that undergoes the change. Same is in Ferris Bueller, it's Cameron that undergoes the change.

But I feel that Ferris just could use some more challenges along the way, like actually being escorted off the parade, or actually had the police called on him at the restaurant, etc. Of course he would get out of it and not have any consequences, but it would have been nice to see him have to escape the situations, like Marty McFly or something like that.

In fact, Ferris having to run from these situations, can lead to more comedy in a good way in fact.

You're correct sir. He has a high level of charisma, is impulsive, doesn't care for consequences or have consideration for anybody else but himself unless he is directly affected. Any emotion or mercy shown to the other character is merely a facade.



The sequel 'American Psycho' explores his darker side much more adequately. This first movie, Ferris Buellers day off is in fact his day off complete with alias name 'Ferris Bueller' translated in Spanish to 'God of Torture'. His real name, Patrick Bateman is hidden from both his friends and family. The sequel explores the days that are not his 'days off' and they are much more sinister. But remember, to keep the first movie in context even a psychopath like Bueller/Bateman (notice the same starting letter) can have a fun day off - a day off from all the killing.

This is true satire in its highest form. Bravo.

It's a good movie.

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"This Would Sharpen You Up And Make You Ready For A Bit Of The Old Ultra-Violence."

Ferris is Tyler Durden and Cameron is the narrator.

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CAMERON: "I am Jack's infected pancreas."
FERRIS: "You're not dying, you just can't think of anything good to do."

Anyway, I like the movie, and I find the shenanigans in it mostly charming and fun. It probably helps that I saw it while I was sick and it completely made me forget that most of the time.

I doubt Hughes was going for depth and a strong character arc when he concocted this film. It's a light-hearted romp through a day in the life of a fun-loving care-free high school kid. I think the message is that, at that age, you shouldn't be bogged down in an attempt to understand the meaning of life. Cameron is a perfect foil to Ferris - a kid who feels the weight of the world every minute of every day, and who is unable to escape the burdens of his father. I knew kids like Cameron in high school, and they were a big downer. I tended to avoid them like the plague.

Speaking of Ferris, I related a whole lot to him while I was in high school. Not in the rich-kid-with-no-worries sense, as I grew up on the other side of the tracks, a poor kid with hand-me-down clothes and a bad haircut. His approach to life at the time, though? I was all over it. I was a fun-loving, care free sort, and I rarely worried about what it all meant. That would come later, once I progressed beyond high school. I even had "Save Ferris" painted on my graduation cap!

As for the film, I think the juxtaposition of Ferris and his care-free approach compared to the lives of all those around him is all you will find as far as depth.

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As for what I actually think of the movie itself, I used to think it was fun when I first saw it, but I have virtually no use for it these days.

For cinematic/narrative reasons, or because you've decided it glorifies some kind of objectionable behavior?

As far as entertainment value, the film is rich with it and I never get tired of watching it, though it's hardly steeped in realism...I don't think anyone IRL would get away with everything that Ferris gets away with it...he even hits the tape recording of him snoring with the baseball dead on so it turns off before his parents walk in, I mean, seriously? But the movie is a lot of fun and, on that level, it works.

Well I'm not saying it had to be deep or anything, but even for a shallow movie, it's just kind of frustratingly perfect.

For cinematic narrative reasons more so, if this question was directed at me

I liked it when I saw it at the movies but the last time he annoyed the crap out of me and I hated it.

Classic from my childhood years!


One of the greatest comedies ever made.


I miss John Hughes. He was a one-of-a-kind writer/director.

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“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!” ~ Rocky Balboa