Global Impact
"Hey Cameron. You realize if we played by the rules right now we'd be in gym?" -Ferris Bueller
Ferris Bueller's philosophy on life made a global impact on society, from inspiring others to reevaluate their lives to incorporating infamous quotes and ideas into modern pop culture today. Barbara Bush (and countless other authoritative figures) have quoted this movie and reviews from critics worldwide have stated that Ferris Bueller's Day Off was successful in teaching us that happiness is key in life. There is no problem worth stressing over, and Ferris Bueller successfully helps people come of age in his own charming way by reminding us of these virtues. Stated by Robert Rieber and Robert Kelley, authors of Film, Television and the Psychology of the Social Dream, "If there is one word that has been associated with motion pictures since their inception it would be 'entertainment.' There are serious movies and edifying movies and movies that teach and promote ideologies or beliefs. But generally speaking we go to the movies to be entertained, to be amused, enthralled, and diverted from the issues of everydya life. And it is this very capacity to effectively deliver entertainment--bypassing our critical faculties--that make movies so powerfully influential" (1). Through Ferris' actions, such as a strong appreciation for Sloane, he represented and instilled the idea that we must find meaning in our life and decide what we love in order to truly enjoy our limited time spent on Earth. To this day people still refer to Ferris Bueller's Day Off and label it as the ultimate coming of age film. Quoted from Zack Mandell, an online blogger and avid Ferris fan, "Every person watching the film can remember his or her own antics at the same age in memories brought on by watching the film," (1). It reminded its audience not only to appreciate the small things in life, but also how powerful we can be when we have such strong opinions and ideals.
Impact on Teenagers
"How can I possibly be expected to handle school on a day like this?" -Ferris Bueller
John Hughes accurately depicted the true high school experience through spot-on actors and perfect replications of classroom settings and reactions from students. Teenagers were able to relate to Ferris, Sloane and Cameron because they were able to find similarities between themselves and the characters. Ferris was also portrayed as the popular kid of his school; everyone looked up to him and aimed to follow in his footsteps. His credentials made him a role model to teenagers who watched the movie and, because Ferris held power, his acting impacted high school students especially who could identify themselves in his situations or knew people like him. Teenagers after viewing this movie aspired to be as cool and collected as he was. He also helped high school students realize how important they are and even they can hold power in school though they feel constantly repressed by authoritative figures. In a journal called Australasian Journal of American Studies, Emma Wortley states that, "The adolescent is a highly visible and contested figure in modern culture...the adolescent or youth can be molded into different shapes or different purposes: from avatar of societal ills to symbol of global hope to lucrative consumer demographics" (138). This film depicts both sides of this spectrum, making Cameron relatable to teens who struggle with shyness and abusive parents, and making Ferris a symbol of hope for teens to look up to and aspire to.
In this video clip, from 0:00-0:50, a teenager reviews Ferris Bueller's Day Off and expresses the ways in which this film has made a difference on the lives of teenagers specifically.