Review: Better Off Dead (1985)

People in the Movie: John Cusack (Say Anything, Grosse Pointe Blank), Curtis Armstrong (Revenge of the Nerds), Amada Wyss (A Nightmare on Elm St)

Director: Savage Steve Holland

Pigeonhole: Comedy

The Basics: Starting with his girlfriend Beth (Wyss) dumping him for the captain of the ski team, Lane Meyer’s (Cusack) life seems to be spiraling into total turmoil.  Lane, like many teenagers after their first break-up, thinks his life is over so he considers killing himself (again, this is a comedy so no worries) - but there is light at the end of tunnel.  Beyond Lane’s despair over Beth, all of the people in his life have very strange quirks, which are comically highlighted throughout.  With the help of his friend Charles (Armstrong) and the French foreign exchange student living across the street, Lane actually has a lot to live for. 

Recommendation: As far as I am concerned, Better Off Dead stands up as one of the best “high school” comedies of the 80’s, alongside titles like Ferris Bueller and Sixteen Candles.  The film is rated ‘PG’, although I would treat of it more like a light ‘PG-13’ with some references to sex, and drinking.

My Take: The storytelling for this movie is done like how a teenager would view the world.  Lane’s family, friends and neighbors are almost caricature-like in their various portrayals, and it works great.  I think the movie really hits on the mindset of a teen loveable loser who was dumped, and what his coping mechanisms become.     

**spoiler alert** Beyond the break up, we learn about many other dysfunctions in Lane’s life.  His younger brother, Badger, is a genius but does not talk or leave the house.  Badger builds a working laser gun out of toy; learns how to pick up trashy women, and subsequently throws a late party in his room.  

His stay at home mother cannot cook, despite her various attempts.  So every meal that they sit down to the food is either horrible (like green boiled bacon), or in one instance the substance she prepared gets up and crawls away.

Lane’s dad, played by David Ogden Stiers, seems to be normal but through various comic moments seems to end up standing outside their house every time their garage door gets destroyed, and the next door neighbor is always looking on.

Some of Lane’s other misadventures include; drag racing daily with 2 Chinese guys, one of which announces the race with a Howard Cosell voice; getting a job at burger joint where Lane imagines an awesome dancing food sequence to “Everybody Wants Some” by Van Halen; and having to hide out from Johnny the paperboy constantly demanding his “2 dollars”.

Things do get straightened out for Lane after he begins hanging out with the French foreign exchange living across the street.  Her name is Monique; she helps him fix up his 67 Camaro and goes skiing with him.  As Lane’s confidence gets built up, he is able to win a race against the ski team captain, skiing on one ski (in a particularly hilarious scene), and the proverbial victory for the little guys everywhere.   By the end of the movie, Monique and Lane end up together.  All in all, a great story start to finish.

Final Thought/ Extras/For Fun: Savage Steve Holland has stated this film somewhat auto-biographical in regards to his girlfriend breaking up with him to date the captain of the ski team, and even noting he had a crazy paperboy named Johnny who would hassle him for 2 dollars…