The defence The Sentimental Softie
“Sincerity is not manipulation.”
The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.
Back to trending 
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Comedy · Romance · Drama · 1982
A group of Southern-California high school students ignore their studies in favor of indulging in their teenage distractions.
Movie details
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
“At Ridgemont High, only the rules get busted!”
1982 Comedy · Romance · Drama 1h 30m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.8 / 10
Community rating
A group of Southern-California high school students ignore their studies in favor of indulging in their teenage distractions.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over Fast Times at Ridgemont High?
For the defence
The Sentimental Softie
“You came to feel something, and you will.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Cool Ironist
“Feeling things is a little embarrassing.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Where it lives
Watch in your region.
Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.
Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.
Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Amy Heckerling
Written by
Cameron Crowe
Sean Penn
Jeff Spicoli
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Stacy Hamilton
Judge Reinhold
Brad Hamilton
Phoebe Cates
Linda Barrett
Brian Backer
Mark "Rat" Ratner
Robert Romanus
Mike Damone
Ray Walston
Mr. Hand
Court is in session
Put Fast Times at Ridgemont High on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Cool Ironist
“The strings are showing.”
Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.