Fast Times at Ridgemont High

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Fast Times at Ridgemont High ★★★ 1982 (R)

Teens at a Southern California high school revel in sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. A full complement of student types meet at the Mall—that great suburban microcosm percolating with angstridden teen trials—to contemplate losing their virginity, plot skipping homeroom, and move inexorably closer to the end of their adolescence. The talented young cast became household names: Sean Penn is most excellent as the California surfer dude who antagonizes teacher, Walston, aka “Aloha Mr. Hand.” Based on the bestselling book by Cameron Crowe, it's one of the best of this genre. 91m/C VHS, DVD, HD DVD . Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Phoebe Cates, Ray Walston, Scott Thomson, Vincent Schiavelli, Amanda Wyss, Forest Whitaker, Kelli Maroney, Eric Stoltz, Pamela Springsteen, James Russo, Martin Brest, Anthony Edwards, Nicolas Cage; D: Amy Heckerling; W: Cameron Crowe; C: Matthew F. Leonetti. Natl. Film Reg. '05.