I saw this movie on TV a long, long time ago. I remembered liking it, so when I saw it on Netflix instant queue I was like "Ya, I'll watch that." This movie has a lot going for it. I like to think of it as
Back to the Future's sister movie. It was made one year after
Back to the Future, and also involves someone from the 1980's going back to high school in the 1950's (well, in this movie's case, 1960, but whatevs). Kathleen Turner and Nicholas Cage star in this movie, with special appearances by Jim Carrey, Sophia Coppola, and the mom from
Seventh Heaven. Believe it or not, this movie was actually directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Go figure. Costume design is by Theadora Van Runkle, who was also the costume designer for
Bonnie and Clyde. The fashion in this movie falls into one of my favorite categories: 1980's reps another era. Whatever time the movie is set in, I can almost guarantee that everyone will mysteriously have 1980's hair. It's not like you can get rid of a perm just for one movie.
 |
| I find it difficult to believe that a forty-three year old woman would wear silver lamé to a class reunion, but this was 1986, so what do I know? |
 |
| Always accessorize silver lamé with white gloves and robot purses. At least she looks hotter than her friend in the back. |
 |
| Jim Carrey and the mom from Seventh Heaven snorting coke in the first 5 minutes. That's how you know it's going to be good. |
 |
| Peggy Sue's silver lamé turned into a 50's appropriate gray in the flashback. |
 |
| Note that everyone at this school is wearing pastel yellow and grays! |
 |
| Oh hey, Gaga! |
|
 |
| You can tell this guy is a mysterious loner poet/beatnik because he's wearing black in an all-pastel school. |
 |
| Love these outfits oh my god! |
 |
| Gaga is back! |
 |
| This film has a lot of well-framed shots. Check out a blonde Nick Cage in a yellow sweater. |
 |
| A young Sophia Coppola looking a lot like the kid from Dazed and Confused. |
 |
| A Nick Cage looking a lot like Rory Storm (of Beatle friend fame). |
I won't give you any more pictures so I don't give away the end. Maybe it's just me, but I felt like there were a lot of plot holes in this movie. It doesn't wrap up all nicely like
Back to the Future, but then again, it didn't get to have two more movies either. Here's my rating break-down.
Story: 6/10
Acting: 7/10 (Nick Cage's nasally accent was really strange, but also sort of appropriate. Jim Carrey was not used nearly enough.)
Costumes: 9/10 (Loved the palette and the time-period appropriate costumes. Bonus for sweet 80's costumes.)
Total: 7.3/10
In conclusion, if you're not doing anything, it's a good Netflix Instant view watch, if only for the costumes.
