My Cinematic Alphabet: In Depth - F

We're at week 6 in the weekly journey through the best films for each letter. This week it's F, so if you've missed any be sure to catch up. Anyway, on with the show....

Forrest Gump

I think this is either the third or fourth film from the Robert Zemeckis portfolio to appear on these lists so far and so I guess that makes him my favourite director. Forrest Gump is a film that you will never forget watching for the first time and one which is endlessly enjoyable. One of Tom Hanks' greatest performances. The Zemeckis/Hanks partnership never fails in my eyes.

The Full Monty

Not only is The Full Monty is a wonderfully funny comedy but it is also an insight into the hardships faced by certain Britons during the Thatcher era. It deals with an issue so taboo at the time in a darkly comic way that is also designed to lift people's spirits. An awesome soundtrack on this one too.

Fight Club

Fight Club can never be overlooked in this type of list. The duo of Edward Norton and Brad Pitt works so brilliantly and rumours have surfaced recently that the pair may appear together again for the first time since Fight Club. If you haven't seen this one you're missing out.

Four Lions

If you had asked me before I saw Four Lions whether I thought a comedy that centred on terrorism would ever work, or would ever be green-lighted in the first place, I would have said you were crazy. I decided to watch it on recommendation and it turned out to be one of the most outrageous comedies I've ever seen. Somehow they made it work and it was downright hilarious. Probably not for everyone though.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

For me Ferris Bueller's Day Off is just the perfect childhood film. Yes, I did use the word perfect. It's a comedy caper that doesn't fall into the trap of being an unoriginal snoozefest. Matthew Broderick gives the performances of his life in this one. The final scene ranked among my top five film scenes. Check this one out if you haven't and check out the So I Saw This Film review.

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My Cinematic Alphabet: In Depth - E

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Easy to Relate to - 5/5

So I saw this film today called 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'. I had previously heard nothing but praise for this movie so I thought it was about time I checked it out. I'm so glad that I did. This was totally my type of movie, the type that brings you back to your childhood in the days of attempting to get off school. Matthew Broderick plays the undeniably cool Ferris Bueller and the film charts his antics during one day. Broderick could not have been better.  His little asides to camera were ingenious, it really brought the audience into the film and enabled the viewers to relate to the ecstatic feeling upon achieving a sick day off of either work or school. In this way his character was easy to relate to, one reason why he was so popular in the movie. The film adds in elements of absurdity to make sure this film isn't like any of its type. We see literally everyone in the neighbourhood supporting the apparently 'dangerously ill' Ferris and scenes such as the parade enable you to feel his charm. We must also recognise Alan Ruck for his superb performance as Cameron Frye. I must comment and ask the reason for Ruck's unpopularity in being cast in much else aside from cameo roles in crime dramas since. How did he not get the recognition he deserved after the release of the movie? His understated and nervous character contrasted perfectly with the cool of Ferris Bueller which is one of the many reasons this film was so perfect. Furthermore, it was also funny to see Charlie Sheen looking pretty similar to how he does at the moment!
So how about that parade scene huh? Do you get some shivers down your back every time you see it? I certainly do. The song choice could not have been better; you find yourself singing along and, if nobody else is around, dancing along too. I cannot fault this film and must view it on the multitude of merits that I found when watching it.
Would I recommend it? Well I don't normally buy DVDs of films I've already seen but for this, it simply had to be done.