Back to School * (1986, Rodney Dangerfield, Sally Kellerman, Burt Young) – Classic Movie Review 7073

Director Alan Metter’s unpleasing 1986 comedy is a shoddy, obvious and unfunny vehicle for an unappealing star in Rodney Dangerfield, who plays Thornton Melon, an uncouth middle-aged millionaire signing up as a college freshman to make his son Jason (Keith Gordon) learn a few lessons about the importance of going to college. They enroll in school together and of course Thornton is soon the life of the party as a big hit on campus.

If Dangerfield’s act quickly palls, it is easy to take refuge in the performances of the strong star support cast, particularly Sally Kellerman as Dr Diane Turner, the English teacher Thornton fancies, but also Burt Young, Keith Gordon, Paxton Whitehead, Robert Downey Jnr, M Emmet Walsh, Ned Beatty and Adrienne Barbeau.

Back to School is directed by Alan Metter, runs 94 minutes, is made by Paper Clip, is released by Orion, is written by Steven Kampmann, Harold Ramis, Will Porter and Peter Torokvei, based on a story by Rodney Dangerfield, Greg Fields and Dennis Snee, is shot by Thomas E Ackerman, is produced by Chuck Russell, is scored by Danny Elfman and is designed by David Snyder.

Kurt Vonnegut Jr appears as himself, and Terry Farrell, William Zabka, Severn Darden, Sam Kinison, Edie McClurg, Sarah Abrell and Robert Picardo are also in the cast.

It was a big hit. Costing $11 million, it took over $91 million at the US box office as the sixth highest grossing film of 1986, and the second highest grossing comedy after Crocodile Dundee.

The plot is similar to the 2018 Melissa McCarthy vehicle Life of the Party. Both films have a parent deciding to go back to college with their kid and a break-up with their spouse sparking the decision.

Kellerman said about Dangerfield (1921–2004): ‘I liked him so much. He’s such an odd guy.’ He is also remembered for Caddyshack (1980) and Easy Money (1983).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7073

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com