Thanks for checking out our Forgotten Fridays feature. This is a feature to review some older films that maybe you have forgotten about or maybe never got around to seeing that we just want to share. They may not be old, maybe not forgotten, but they are not new. Just fun to share.
Today’s feature is a tribute to a trouble star who shone brightest in the 80s and struggled with substance abuse until his death last week.
Today, we review Corey Haim’s – Lucas
Genre: Drama/Comedy/Romance
Directed by: David Seltzer
Staring: Corey Haim, Kerri Green, Charlie Sheen, Winona Ryder
Released: March 28, 1986
THE GENERAL IDEA
A socially inept fourteen year old experiences heartbreak for the first time when his two best friends–one an older-brother figure, the other a girl with whom he is in love– fall for each other
THE GOOD
This was not Corey Haim’s debut performance in a feature film, but likely the first real notable performance. As Lucas, Haim does capture the sympathies and charm that his character earns making it very believable and likely that he would befriend the captain of the football team (Charlie Sheen) who takes the likeable Lucas under his wing, and the pretty girl who really likes Lucas – but not that way.
You don’t ever think these two best friends of Lucas every pity him or let him hang out with them because they feel bad for him. They DO like him, and as viewers, despite his social awkwardness, we like him too. You root for him and cheer him on. And you feel that pang of betrayal when the pretty girl falls in love with the football player.
All because of Corey Haim’s performance.
This movie also served as the springboard for such stars as Charlie Sheen, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Winona Ryder and Kerri Green. This was Winona Ryder’s very first feature film.
THE BAD
Is it just me or was Kerri Green a LOT prettier in my head than she ever was in the movies? I wrote this as a bad thing because watching the movie again, I kept wondering why I had this massive crush on this girl. I credit Green with my distraction for redheads.
And that is the WORST I can say about this movie. I love it.
OVERALL
All in all, its a feelgood, feel bad movie. Nothing really goes right for Lucas for what he really wants, but he has good friends and people who love him.
It’s not just a film that has 80s staples earlier appearances in it, but a great film about the struggles of an awkward youth in the harsh criticisms of highschool. And how to fit in or survive it.
Years later the more dramatic Rudy would follow with the same themes becoming one of the more iconic sports movies of all time.
Since all of these Forgotten Friday reviews are going to be what I would already give a high rating to, I had a Tv, Rent or Buy scale going on, but it would seem that an overwhelming majority of my picks get a BUY rating.
So with every Forgotten Friday you see from now on, you get to rate your anticipation for yourself!
TV – If you are at least a little curious, catch it if it comes on TV.
Rent – If it is something you have heard of and forgotten, or just remember enjoying this asmuch as I did once upon a time, go rent it.
Buy – But if you are like me, and you agree with my review you should go buy it. If its featured here, I already have.
