Movie Review: "Back to School"

Back to School, a comedy starring Rodney Dangerfield, was released in 1986  

 

By William Anthony|Citizen Services Department, Central Library

It is time for all the students to head back to the classroom. One of those students is Thornton Melon, played by Rodney Dangerfield, in the 1986 comedy, Back to School. 

 He is a successful millionaire who runs his own business, but there is just one problem. Melon never went to college, even after his father told him about the importance of getting an education when he was a young child. 

After this self-made businessman finds out that his son, Jason, is having doubts about finishing his education, he decides to enroll as a freshman at this university. This is when all the schoolwork and extracurricular activities take a surprising and an even more fun turn. It is not everyday that a father and a son both hit the books in order get their diplomas. 

Dangerfield’s signature, clever zingers are the main reason why Back to School is considered to be one of his better films. His quick wit never wears thin as he suddenly becomes the big man on campus. He challenges and unnerves a snooty business professor who clearly wants him to fail. 

The oldest freshman at this college even stands his ground against a psychotic history professor who fought in the Vietnam War. Melon even pursues a romantic interest in an elegant literature professor. 

Due to all of his accumulated wealth, this businessman can afford to pay other scholars and experts to complete all of his assignments. I might add that he also throws one of the wildest parties at his highly renovated apartment.

However, his sudden popularity is not enough to prevent him from being accused of academic dishonesty. Thus, he has to pass to a high-stakes oral examination if he wants to graduate. This is when Melon realizes that the college experience is more than just being the life of a party. 

On top of that, Back to School also boasts a solid supporting cast, which includes Ned Beatty as Dean David Burton, Sally Kellerman as Dr. Diane Turner, Burt Young as Lou, who is Melon’s butler, and Robert Downey Jr. as Derek Lutz, who is Jason’s nonconformist roommate. 

Writer, Kurt Vonnegut, even has a cameo as himself. Their presence is a bonus alongside the leading actor’s street-smart confidence. A running gag used in the big-eyed comedian’s stand-up performances is the constant exclamation of the self-deprecating phrase, “I don’t get no respect.”

Back to School did win him some respect at the box office. It was one of the highest grossing movies of 1986. 

If you take Dangerfield’s non-stop quips out of the equation, Back to School surprisingly retains a memorable plot about balancing personal goals and education. This film can put all teachers and students in a good mood as they prepare for another year of learning.

 Back to School is also available to borrow on DVD in the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, which includes all 18 BPL locations. 

 Click here for a movie trailer of Back to School.