Lucas (1986)

Corey Haim, Kerri Green, Charlie Sheen and Winona Ryder star in this 1986 drama. The late, Haim (The Lost Boys) plays Lucas, an intelligent yet odd teen who meets and befriends Maggie (Green), the new girl in school. He immediately has a crush on her, but she doesn't feel the same way about him. Sheen (Wall Street) plays Cappie, a jock who is basically a brother figure of Lucas who finds romance with Maggie. Lucas is jealous and heartbroken, but tries winning her heart by joining the Football team. Ryder (Heathers) plays Rina, a classmate who likes Lucas. Courtney Thorne-Smith (Summer School) and Jeremy Piven (Entourage) co-star in one of their first films. This is a good 80's coming-of-age flick with a good cast & great score by Dave Grusin that's one of Haim's best I recommend.

This movie had its fans, particularly those whom who like; its honest portrayal of the highs and lows of adolescent, it's not so stereotypical 1980's teen characters and the theme of the little guy trying to become somebody within his society, but for me, I found this movie to be, somewhat unwatchable. I'm not a fan of this movie at all. I give the movie, some credit, the movie does have a terrific young cast. Both the main actor, Corey Haim and the female lead, Kerri Green were amazing and very attractive in their role. Supporting actors like Charlie Sheen and Winona Ryder weren't that bad, as well. However, this movie wasn't that inspirational to me. The reason, why I'm say this movie is a poor man, Rudy is because, unlike the 1993 movie, which had a very inspiring main character, wanting to join the football team in order, to better himself and his family, by getting a college education. This coming of age movie about a socially inept boy, Lucas Blye (Corey Haim) trying to join the high school football team, only, because he was suicidal by heartbreak. By heartbreak, I meant, that the local girl, he has a crush on, Maggie (Kerri Green) doesn't want to date him. You can see the problem of the story, right here. He isn't doing this, because he has love of the sport, he just doing this, in order to change her mind of him. It's in the same mindset levels of a man like John Hinckley Jr shooting the President in order to impress Jodi Foster. It's disturbing. It felt a little more self-centered and selfish, than inspiring. I hate the fact, that this movie was market as a sport movie, because it isn't all about his dreams of being a football player at all. The football plot, only plays a part, toward the end. The movie is more about learning to deal with first love and teen angst. Don't get me wrong, I love 1980s coming to age stories that deals with this. After all, 1985's Breakfast Club is one of my favorite movies of all time, but this movie directed by David Seltzer, really anger me, in saying it's a sport movie, when it's barely is. The reason why Rudy works, and this film doesn't, is because Rudy's not only fighting to get into the team, but also driven to help others, reach their goals. They is a reason to root for him. Not only does Lucas barely show, any interest in the sport, but he rarely treat his friends any better. Ignoring them, isn't going to help you. The movie really tries to make him, into a hero with the idea of him, being a victim of bullying, but when you think about it, the school wasn't really that mean to him. Most kids in his school, honestly somewhat accept him. It's only a few guys that really doesn't like him! Honestly, how many nerdy teens in the 1980s, do you know, are able to hang out with the captain of the football team, while, also being cool with one of hottest girls, in school? Not that many. So, I don't buy the whole, stand up against natural selection, BS, this movie is, saying, because of the fact that there are girls that secretly love Lucas. Yes, I get that, his best friends—somewhat betrayed him, when his older-brother figure, Chappie Roew (Charlie Sheen) and his crush, fall for each other. However, as upsetting, it is, to him and for me to see those two hook up. I still can't feel too much pity for Lucas. I feel worst for Chappie ex, Alise, (Country Thorne Smith), because she end up with nobody in the end. The reasons why, I couldn't felt pity for Lucas, is because he still good friends like Reda (Winona Ryder). It's very stupid to see him, always overlooking her sexual advances throughout the film. You have to be really crazy, not to want to date a girl like her. I would love to see a scene where Lucas finally admit, that he mistreated Reda, so badly, and ask her to forgive him. You know, like address the love, he has for her. It would had, made a better ending than the misguided slow clap for Lucas after getting himself, nearly kill and quitting football. Honestly, what the hell!? How is getting a football jacket, supposed to solve anything!? He still lives, poor with his alcoholic father. He's now suffers from a severe concussion and most, likely not going to finish school. Also the fact, that the movie never resolve that conflict with Reda, nor does look for a solution to the love triangle between Chappie, Maggie and him. What a horrible ending! I hate how the movie ends so abruptly with him, getting a varsity jacket. Anyways, take off your nostalgia glasses, people! That wasn't the only problem with this movie. The whole symbolism with the locust was also a bit off in its message in morphology. I get the movie wants to use it, as a metaphor for growing up, but if the filmmakers read any science book, they would know that having locusts around, isn't a good thing like having butterflies. They're a serious economic threat to agriculture. If anything, the sign of locusts returning, is bad news than good. Overall: Besides the good acting, the wonderful music by Dave Grusin, this movie isn't a film, I will rewatch, anytime, soon. If you want to check it out, go ahead. You might like it, but for me. I'm staying far away from this film. It upset me, too much.

Lucas is a one of the best Teen films ever made that is funny and dramatic. Filled with wonderful direction,a great cast,well-written screenplay and a beautiful score,Lucas is a timeless classic of Teen films and Coming Of Age films.Lucas tells the story of Lucas Bly(Corey Haim),a smart and intelligent 14-year-old who while on Summer vacation meets the new girl in town Maggie(Kerri Green)an older girl that Lucas befriends over the Summer. But when school starts,Lucas and Maggie relationship becomes troubled when Maggie falls for Lucas' friend Cappie(Charlie Sheen),a football jock and older brother type that protects Lucas. Feeling rejected,Lucas takes a drastic Action and joins the Football team which leads to funny and dramatic turn of events.Released in 1986,Lucas was an excellent Teen film that got lost in the shuffle because it wasn't a Brat Pack movie that didn't have big names and was overshadowed by two other Teen classics released that same year in John Hughes' films Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Pretty In Pink. Thankfully,Lucas is now seen as a Teen and High School classic and is one of the best Teen films that John Hughes never made. One of the reasons Lucas is one of the best Teen films ever made is because it's one of the most realistic Teen films that is basically a simple story that is funny but in an honest and truthful that feels real but Lucas greatly balances out Comedy and Drama without going over the top or over dramatic You feel like the characters and feel of High School and how it real was:complex and confusing. Lucas is honest in the way it deals with love and friendship between Lucas,Maggie and Cappie. Because unlike most love triangles and friendships in films the three main characters don't hate each other when things start to go bad like when Cappie and Maggie fall for each other the two are not mean or hateful towards and Lucas despite being mad at Cappie and Maggie and being betrayed he doesn't hate the two of them and still consider them his friends. There is no backstabbing or viciousness between the three characters and that's one of the great things about this film. Lucas while a Teen film is also a great character study of the main character Lucas as most of the film is seen from his point of view and as we watch the film we see Lucas deal with love and his Teenage adolescence as well as dealing with bullies and also being socially awkward because while Lucas is smart and intelligent and knows things,he doesn't always know how to deal with relationships and people which makes Lucas an easy target for bullies. Lucas is a character that most of us can relate to because we were like him dealing the harshness of being a teenager. Lucas is such a classic character of Teen movies and Coming Of Age films and the character is timeless because he can exist in anytime or place and will always be relevant. The powerful screenplay by Writer-Director David Seltzer is great and well-written giving most of the characters great dialog which is sometimes really funny,memorable and insightful and makes the three main characters very complex. The three main characters in the film Lucas,Maggie and Cappie are great characters because while the three characters are in a Teen film they are not brought down by stereotypes and silly cartoon like actions because the characters feel and act like they can exist in the real world. Lucas,Maggie and Cappie are are flawed but likable characters that you can relate to in many and different ways. The ending of Lucas is a great ending that will give you an optimistic feeling and it will have you clapping at the screen and put a smile on your face.The whole cast does great jobs in their roles. Corey Haim is brilliant and gave the best performance of his career as Lucas,with Haim bringing depth,sympathy and likability to the role. A powerful performance. RIP Haim you and your acting talent will be sadly missed. Kerri Green is wonderful and beautiful as Maggie,bringing great range and depth to the performance. Charlie Sheen is great as Cappie,Lucas' friend and Maggie's love interest. Courtney Thorne-Smith does a good job as Alise,Cappie's beautiful and jealous girlfriend. Winona Ryder(in her film debut)is fantastic as Rina,Lucas' friend who has an unrequited crush on Lucas. Tom Hodges gives a good performance as Hodges,a football jock that bullies Lucas. Guy Boyd is funny in his role as the High school football coach. Ciro Poppiti(Ben)and Garrett M. Brown(Mr. Kaiser)give good performances as well. Also,lookout for an early role appearance from Jeremy Piven(Spike)in the film.The direction by David Seltzer is simple yet great and effective with Seltzer occasionally moving the camera when he can and giving the film a good atmosphere. Wonderful direction by Seltzer.The score by Dave Grusin is excellent,beautiful and very innocent and definitely goes well with the tone of film and it's a great score you won't forget. A powerful score by Grusin and one of his best scores.In final word,if you love Teen films or Coming Of Age films,I highly suggest you see Lucas,a film that is one of the best films of the Teen genre and a powerful classic that is well worth your time. Highly Recommended. 10/10.

***SPOILERS***I am split about this movie. On one hand, the acting and the dialogue was very good. There are a few scenes that I will always remember, like when Lucas saw Maggie for the first time playing tennis or when he got onto the stage, was embarrassed but still had a good time making fun of the coach.On the other hand, I couldn't believe how much people acted like football was instant suicide for Lucas. I couldn't get past how ridiculous it was. (Of course no one ever started trying out a week before the first game of the season either). But people seemed to act like this kid was a paper bag and football was played with Lions and not people.I went to a high school that was somewhat football centric (In Illinois like the movie) unlike some high school in Texas or Pennsylvania maybe, and there were a couple smaller kids on the football team. If they weren't good, then they just didn't play much. Anyway, the only reason the kid got hurt was because he took his helmet off, which would have resulted in a penalty in real life. (That whole game was ridiculously unrealistic). I feel the unrealistic game, and the attitudes about football are so hard to believe that it takes away from the great heartfelt stories of the film.The great thing about the film is how atypical it treated the "top jock" and the girl Maggie. They were both really nice kids. The movie made all three characters, Lucas, Maggie, Cappie very whole people and not just clichés. Someone had obviously put a great deal of thought into these characters. The movie doesn't force anything and we are left to make up our minds about the characters based on something more personal to us. I tried to think of the football in the movie as just equivalent to superficiality in general in our society. Personally, I think the movie could have been a lot better if it had handled it differently somehow. The attitudes from all the adults in the movie, the school administrator, the coach, about the kid wanting to play football being crazy, just seemed too ridiculous to me.