80sfilms

When Summer School came out in 1987, I was actually taking summer school (ironic, no?).

This was before Driver’s Education became something parents had to pay for, and my friend and I decided to take it over the summer to get a jump on driving (though why the rush I will never understand, as I have never really cared for driving all that much).

Unfortunately, there were two classes, and of course we were split up. But no matter, because we were both one step closer to freedom, and we managed to have fun despite the separation.

But not as much fun as the kids had in Summer School.

First of all, my teacher looked nothing like handsome Mark Harmon–if he had, I think I would at least be able to remember his name!

And because this was Driver’s Ed, as opposed to, say, remedial math, most of the kids were there because they wanted to be, not because they had flunked, a la Summer School.

I do remember wishing I was like young Courtney Thorne-Smith, the hip surfer chick who was cool and pretty and oh so tan.

Of course, her character had problems of her own, but they seemed petty when compared to my major issues at the time (crushes, awkwardness, inexperience, oh my!).

The film also starred Kirstie Alley before “Cheers” and scandal got the better of her.

Much like this film, Summer School brought together a rag-tag groups of teens (the pregnant girl, the sleepy boy who moonlights as a stripper, the dork, the goofy pranksters, the cool girl, the foreign exchange student, etc.) and gave them all common ground as a means to see each other without judgment.

Pretty heavy stuff for a funny little film about summer school, eh?

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