Fast Times at Ridgemont High

The movie ends up with no clear identity; it doesn't work as anything.

The best of the racy teen comedies perfectly preserves the fashions and attitudes of the ’80s.

What it doesn't have is a clear point of view, something that would make it of more interest than leafing through a high school yearbook.

Director Amy Heckerling has failed to provide the raunch or poignancy that would interest young moviegoers, all of whom have seen American Graffiti and its 467 imitators. Ridgemont High? A nice place to visit, but who would want to transfer there?

The nice thing is that Crowe and director Amy Heckerling have provided something pleasant to observe in all of these characters though they really are sadly lacking in anything gripping.

Was never all it was cracked up to be.

Order a pizza and learn about Cuba in an all-time teen comedy classic by Amy Heckerling and scripted by Cameron Crowe.

In the perfect wheelhouse of teen movies: Sexually frank, right up to the inclusion of an abortion subplot, but not too crass or exploitative. (40th anniversary)

40 years on, Heckerling's film is as iconic as ever. Fast Times...features no shortage of stand-out characters and memorable moments, but where the film truly excels is how refreshingly candid it is about sex, dating and abortion.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High broke down the barriers for Hollywood to tell teen stories to teen audiences.