Coming of Age Films—Risky Business

Last week we looked at The Blue Lagoon [1980], a coming of age film that follows two 7-year-olds who get stranded on a South Sea Island. So we see them ‘come of age’ over several years of their lives. But this week, we’re on to Risky Business [1983], by Paul Brickman, which tells the story of a high school senior whose parents want him to get into an Ivy League college but who knows he’s not smart enough.

The premise of the film is fun. A kid’s parents leave him at home while they head to a business conference. He’s told not to drive dad’s Porsche but—shocker—he does. And wrecks it. And he needs beaucoup bucks to get it repaired. Meanwhile, he calls a hooker to come to his house because his friends make fun of him for being a virgin. And hilarity ensues.

Take a look at the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl-SwgxkNZs

I have to wonder if this film would be made today. It’s a bit on the politically incorrect side so I’m guessing not. But I don’t think we can evaluate something made almost 40 years ago by today’s standards, so I’m just going to deal with the film as it was made in the climate of the 80s.

Joel is a typical American teen from an upper middle class home. When he’s given the freedom to stay home for a few days while his parents are away, things go completely nuts.

What I remember most about the film is a line of dialogue that EVERYONE can’t help saying after watching the film: “Sometimes you’ve just got to say ‘What the fuck.’” In the context of the film, it’s kind of like saying, “Hey, why not give it a shot.” It’s a line said by someone who’s not going to hold back, who’s going to go for the gold, who’s not going to let his insecurities get in the way of his success. After all, if you don’t try, you can’t win—so it’s a line that’s basically telling people to be courageous.

It strikes me that the line is similar to Nike’s “Just do it” campaign—buy our sneakers and just give it a try. Exhorting people to be brave and just go for it.

The movie’s certainly a lot more than just that one line, but it’s the line everyone remembers from the film because it SO perfectly captured the essence of this character’s dilemma.

Every line in a screenplay is important. You should make sure every line is as crisp and clear and as taut as you can make it. Every line should be memorable or natural or both.

Dialogue. If you’re going to do a coming of age film, really work on that dialogue and ask yourself, if your film got made, what would be the iconic line everyone would remember?

Next week, it’s on to another high school phenomenon—1983’s Sixteen Candles.

Copyright © Diane Lake

20Jun21

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