What’s Aged the Best?
Older siblings’ friends; outdoor school; soulful sex comedy; absent parents; college-boyfriend archetype; creative insults; soundtrack
In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:16Read transcript
- Adolescent fascination with older siblings’ friends is praised as recognizable, with a cologne anecdote illustrating it.
- Outdoor lockers and a beach prom are envied, although a real beach prom and the absence of supervising adults are questioned.
- The sex comedy is considered more soulful and less uncomfortable than several male-directed contemporaries; female direction is offered as a reason.
- Parents absent for the whole movie are praised as a familiar 1980s plot device.
- Modern cameras and constant contact would undermine the absent-parent premise; the lack of a huge house party is also surprising.
- The rich heroine’s clothing purchase and move between schools support a reading of the story as personal growth beyond a privileged life and poor boyfriend.
- The obnoxious older college boyfriend with a convertible is enjoyed as a recurring period archetype.
- Sexual nicknames, the virginity line and eccentric insults are praised, particularly the avoidance of a common homophobic slur.
- The bluntly tailored title songs are enjoyed as an era-specific soundtrack device.
- Hyser reportedly had a no-nudity contract and was persuaded by the director to reconsider.
- Rosanna Arquette reportedly advised that the scene would permanently draw attention to her breasts, including in old age.
- Interview recollections describe surprise at freeze-frame notoriety and later regret about avoiding other nude scenes.
- Clayton Rohner’s description of the breasts as a work of art is recounted with amusement.