I saw this when I had just graduated college, and it was my first John Sayles movie. Along with "Return of the Secaucus 7", this was Sayles at his peak powers. Incredible dialogue. That was how I remembered high school, and that was how we spoke in high school. And I guess because I graduated college that year, I picked up on the theme of graduation, and having to move on in your life. One of the last scenes between Spano and Arquette was achingly real as they both seem lost trying to adjust to a new life in unfamiliar surroundings. When Spano tries to say, "In high school...", and Arquette cuts him off with tears in her eyes and screams, "we're not in high school, anymore", well, that's something I never forgot, as I'm playing that back for you now.
"The Big Chill" was good, but this was the best film of 1983.
"The Big Chill" was good, but this was the best film of 1983.