Every now and again, you come across a movie that just makes you feel good about everything and alright with the world. That happens very rarely with me. But I remember seeing this unknown gem THREE O'CLOCK HIGH waaaay back in the late 80s (probably 88 or 89 since it came out in 1987) on TV. It was one of those Saturday afternoons when I was channel-flipping and looking for something good to watch for a couple of hours. And ever since I've been hooked on this film! I own the DVD now.
THREE O'CLOCK HIGH is (to me) one of the best high school movies of the 1980s because it is presented in a unique tone and style due to some amazing editing, shots, and cinematography. It is surreal film that has quite a few realistic moments and truths in it that it still fascinates me to this day. Basically, a David-versus-Goliath tale set in a typical, nondescript Utah high school in the late 80s, THREE O'CLOCK HIGH is not a typical film though.
The film tells the tale of one Jerry Mitchell (excellently portrayed by Casey Siemaszko), a slightly nerdish heretofore unknown senior who manages the student bookstore. It's the start of the spring semester and Jerry is expecting a regular, ho-hum, boring day at school. But as informed by his little sister Brei (a feisty, fresh, and engaging Stacey Glick), the school has a new inhabitant, a bully transferred from another high school named Buddy Revell (played to cold, frightening perfection by Richard Tyson). Buddy doesn't like to be touched and when Jerry does it (not knowing this fact), Buddy challenges Jerry to a fight after school at 3 o'clock (thus the film's title).
Revell is an uber-thug of the highest order, totally menacing and intimidating, yet strangely silent and deceptively smart. When I first saw the film, I was totally a Jerry Mitchell fan, but after seeing it many times, I find myself actually empathizing with Buddy Revell more and more. I love both characters equally and I think that's the purpose at the end of the film: to cheer for Jerry but to still see that there is more to Buddy than meets the eye. Their final 'confrontation' in the bookstore ALWAYS makes me feel good.
Jerry gets into lots of trouble trying to get out of the fight, including getting caught with a concealed weapon, cheating on an exam, stealing $500 from the bookstore, and trying to get thrown in detention by giving a rather salacious book report and actually seducing his English teacher (an utterly hilarious scene and my favorite of the film). But alas, in the end, Jerry finds that he must go through with the fight to save face and not be seen as a wimp. I won't spoil the ending, but I'll just say I was pleased.
In addition to little sis Brei, Jerry gets some big time assists from his best friend Vincent (Jonathan Pryce) and girlfriend Franny (Anne Ryan). The chemistry between Jerry and his tiny entourage of teens is really a joy to watch. They all are somewhat geeks and outcasts to an extent, but they aren't shown to be overly nerdy or annoying or cliché as similar characters in other teen movies. They are their own little clique and aren't really trying to do anything but get through high school unscathed. Jerry's interaction with his little sister is particularly fun to watch.
The film also boasts some memorable adult authority figures: Principal O'Rourke (played by 80s stalwart John P. Ryan from RUNAWAY TRAIN), bookstore owner Mr. Rice (played by the goofy-funny Jeffrey Tambor from ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), school security guard "the Duker" (played by X-FILES Mitch Pileggi), repressed English teacher Miss Farmer (Caitlin O'Heaney, an 80s TV show stalwart), and Det. Mulvahill from the sheriff's department (played by character actor Philip Baker Hall). The adults are all played in a realistic, straight manner that totally reminded me of my teachers and principal when I was in high school! Much of the film's humor comes from the collision of the sillier teen shenanigans and the stern, serious adult reactions to them. In most cases the results go as expected (but in one case it doesn't and this is the most fun moment in the movie), but in all cases you'll find yourself laughing because it very much mimics real life all too well!
The flick also has several other minor characters that leave an impression, such as those 2 film students following Jerry all day, the beret/combat boot-wearing dude, and the most popular girl in school Karen. I also love those "clique" groups that get to bookend film telling the tales of Buddy and Jerry. The army of extra student characters are important also as they make it seem like a real school day we are watching and they act as interested observers to Jerry's plight; it feels like the weight of the world is literally rest on Jerry's fate. They add to the satirical feel of the film. I don't think any other 80s teen movie is like this one. And believe me, that's a compliment in the direction of THREE O'CLOCK HIGH. I highly recommend it!
THREE O'CLOCK HIGH is (to me) one of the best high school movies of the 1980s because it is presented in a unique tone and style due to some amazing editing, shots, and cinematography. It is surreal film that has quite a few realistic moments and truths in it that it still fascinates me to this day. Basically, a David-versus-Goliath tale set in a typical, nondescript Utah high school in the late 80s, THREE O'CLOCK HIGH is not a typical film though.
The film tells the tale of one Jerry Mitchell (excellently portrayed by Casey Siemaszko), a slightly nerdish heretofore unknown senior who manages the student bookstore. It's the start of the spring semester and Jerry is expecting a regular, ho-hum, boring day at school. But as informed by his little sister Brei (a feisty, fresh, and engaging Stacey Glick), the school has a new inhabitant, a bully transferred from another high school named Buddy Revell (played to cold, frightening perfection by Richard Tyson). Buddy doesn't like to be touched and when Jerry does it (not knowing this fact), Buddy challenges Jerry to a fight after school at 3 o'clock (thus the film's title).
Revell is an uber-thug of the highest order, totally menacing and intimidating, yet strangely silent and deceptively smart. When I first saw the film, I was totally a Jerry Mitchell fan, but after seeing it many times, I find myself actually empathizing with Buddy Revell more and more. I love both characters equally and I think that's the purpose at the end of the film: to cheer for Jerry but to still see that there is more to Buddy than meets the eye. Their final 'confrontation' in the bookstore ALWAYS makes me feel good.
Jerry gets into lots of trouble trying to get out of the fight, including getting caught with a concealed weapon, cheating on an exam, stealing $500 from the bookstore, and trying to get thrown in detention by giving a rather salacious book report and actually seducing his English teacher (an utterly hilarious scene and my favorite of the film). But alas, in the end, Jerry finds that he must go through with the fight to save face and not be seen as a wimp. I won't spoil the ending, but I'll just say I was pleased.
In addition to little sis Brei, Jerry gets some big time assists from his best friend Vincent (Jonathan Pryce) and girlfriend Franny (Anne Ryan). The chemistry between Jerry and his tiny entourage of teens is really a joy to watch. They all are somewhat geeks and outcasts to an extent, but they aren't shown to be overly nerdy or annoying or cliché as similar characters in other teen movies. They are their own little clique and aren't really trying to do anything but get through high school unscathed. Jerry's interaction with his little sister is particularly fun to watch.
The film also boasts some memorable adult authority figures: Principal O'Rourke (played by 80s stalwart John P. Ryan from RUNAWAY TRAIN), bookstore owner Mr. Rice (played by the goofy-funny Jeffrey Tambor from ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), school security guard "the Duker" (played by X-FILES Mitch Pileggi), repressed English teacher Miss Farmer (Caitlin O'Heaney, an 80s TV show stalwart), and Det. Mulvahill from the sheriff's department (played by character actor Philip Baker Hall). The adults are all played in a realistic, straight manner that totally reminded me of my teachers and principal when I was in high school! Much of the film's humor comes from the collision of the sillier teen shenanigans and the stern, serious adult reactions to them. In most cases the results go as expected (but in one case it doesn't and this is the most fun moment in the movie), but in all cases you'll find yourself laughing because it very much mimics real life all too well!
The flick also has several other minor characters that leave an impression, such as those 2 film students following Jerry all day, the beret/combat boot-wearing dude, and the most popular girl in school Karen. I also love those "clique" groups that get to bookend film telling the tales of Buddy and Jerry. The army of extra student characters are important also as they make it seem like a real school day we are watching and they act as interested observers to Jerry's plight; it feels like the weight of the world is literally rest on Jerry's fate. They add to the satirical feel of the film. I don't think any other 80s teen movie is like this one. And believe me, that's a compliment in the direction of THREE O'CLOCK HIGH. I highly recommend it!