Originally
posted by
RaTS FYA:
Ferris bueller was a good movie, but Ferris himself was super douchey. Uses his "best friend" for his money and dads car, so that he could then impress a freshman (who is a few grades below him) and get her to sleep with him. All the while not giving a fluff if his best friend gets beaten for it. That just screams douche and creepy to me.
rats, i wholeheartedly disagree with your assessment of Ferris. Ferris does not use Cameron for his money or his dad's car. The story is in many ways a cinematic bildungsroman for both Cameron and Ferris, and it is Cameron who in fact achieves the most powerful growth in the film. The use of his father's Ferrari is the impetus for this personal growth.
Cameron came second to his father's material pursuits. It took the crash of the Ferrari for him to build to courage to finally stand up to his father (although we are not afforded this scene). I would even venture to say the most important moment in the movie is Cameron's awakening (all brought on by the crash of his father's Ferrari) :
"I am not going to sit on my ass as the events that affect me unfold to determine the course of my life. I'm going to take a stand. I'm going to defend it. Right or wrong, I'm going to defend it."
Ferris is ultimately the driving force behind this growth.
The concept of Cameron "getting beaten" for it as you say, is totally off base as well.
Cameron is 18 and will be going off to College soon. It is imperative he stand up to his father and if his father were stupid enough to "beat" him (and this is certainly not the air the director gives this post script confrontation) Cam can simply press charges. Again, this was written in to provide Cameron a triumphant scene toward the end of the movie. The viewer is not supposed to take issue with Ferris over this.
Further - to your comment about Ferris' use of the Ferrari (he brought Cam along, mind you) to 'get laid' is preposterous. Ferris was already dating this girl, had obviously been doing her for months (cause he's Ferris) and in no way needed that sort of show to get him laid.
He was not only the most popular kid at school, he was liked by everyone other than his sister - as we see in the pay phone scene when Ferris phones school 'sick'. ... "Hey Ferris, How's your Bod?"
He rallies Cameron and even his sister against another common evil - Mr. Rooney (the actor who plays Rooney was busted for a child porn ring about ten years ago. fitting ). In doing so even his sister experiences personal growth, and her eventual protection of Ferris' 'lie' provides further character approval of Ferris Buller from even a 'voice of reason' figure within the film.
Ultimately the day adventure proves to be a celebration of life and importantly, adolescence - which both Ferris and Cameron know they must soon give up. Through it Cameron achieves powerful growth, Ferris has one last great day as the king of the high school, and the girlfriend looks awesome the entire time.
Ferris made a great kid and you better believe he'll make a great adult.