Mischief

The 80's were great for many things when it came to films. It spawned the Indy films, it created Rambo and some of the campier horror films made their way to our screens. But what it also gave birth to was the teen comedy. I'm sure that we all remember films like Porky's and Fasttimes and the John Hughes era, but what we may forget are small films like this one that were gone from the theater faster than Anna and the King will be. But the 80's also gave birth to video and it is here that I was lucky enough to see many of these hidden comedies. Films like Secret Admirer, Wild Life and Mischief are films that may be 15 or 20 years old but they are so much fun and so much of my youth that I hope that maybe if there are any younger people that read these reviews, they will follow my advise and rent some of the aforementioned titles. As it stands, Mischief is one those films that got a good laugh and it was rented and watched repeatedly.

Mischief is the story of a guy named Johnathin who is sort of a nerd. He is not really picked on the way that the nerds are in Revenge of the Nerds but still he is clearly not the most popular guy in school. He of course has a crush on the most beautiful girl in school named Marilyn McCauley, played by then hottie and still smokin, John Travolta's wife, Kelly Preston. Before Preston became domesticated and made the occassional film here and there in the 90's, she was a teenage boys pin-up girl as she was in this and Secret Admirer and was very liberal in showing us her assets. Anyway, Johnathin then meets the new kid on the block and he is your typical 50's greaser and a bad ass. His name is Eugene and he is played extremely well by Chris Nash. He and Johnathin develop a close friendship and Eugene decides that he is going to teach Johnathin how to be cool and get the girl. It is here that the film takes off. Most of the comedy ensues from Eugene teaching John what to do and how to do it. There is one particularly funny scene where John and Eugene are shooting some hoops and Eugene tells John why he is here.

" Got kicked out of school. " " Why? " " F***ed three chicks. " Eugene says, as if he was telling John that skipped school too many times. " REALLY??!!! " Johnathin replies, literally in awe of the guy.

Eugene and Johnathin are obviously complete opposites and seeing Eugene take Johnathin under his wing is the funniest part of the film. As we watch John go through his transformation we laugh along with him. We feel embarrasment for him as he awkwardly begins to build up his confidence. Mischief isn't as side splittingly funny as Porky's or Fasttimes but it is a great addition to the 80's teenage comedy fest. If all you really know about raunchy teenage comedy is American Pie, then you should check out where it's roots are. Mischief is one of the films that it may have taken after. I realize that the aging of this film may turn some young people off this one but it really is a sweet comedy and it is one that has been forgotten about for too long.

8 out of 10 ( I would give it 7.5 but Kelly Preston immediately bumps it up. )

I loved the sound track...lots of Elvis, Drifters, etc. The movie was rather slow paced just like the decade it depicts, but the pace picks up half way through. For those of us over forty five it was a nice trip down memory lane to a simpler, more innocent time, a time before computers, ubiquitous TV, and on-demand sex. And, even though there is a minor loss of innocence as the movie progresses, even that was in itself rather modest and quaint...more realistic than most high school movies set in the 50s.

All-in-all, it was nice to turn the clock back if only for about 99 minutes.

If you're a fan of 50s nostalgia, rock-and-roll (esp Elvis and the Drifters), or Kelly Preston, you will definitely enjoy this movie.

In 1956, in Nelsonville, Ohio, the clumsy teenager Jonathan Bellah (Doug McKeon) dreams on getting into the pants of the hot school mate Marilyn McCauley (Kelly Preston). However he is shy and has no experience with girls. When the handsome and rebel Gene Harbrough (Chris Nash) moves with his father to the house next door, he immediately befriends Jonathan and decides to teach him how to be attractive to women. Then he has a minor accident with his motorcycle when the car driven by the wealthy Kenny (D.W. Brown) almost hit him. Gen has a crush on Kenny´s girlfriend Bunny Miller (Catherine Mary Stewart). Later Jonathan and Gene go to a fair and meet Marilyn, Bunny and their mate Rosalie (Jami Gertz). They schedule a date to the drive-in but when Kenny sees Bunny, he challenges Gene to a car race in the beginning of their rivalry and contest. Meanwhile Jonathan gets closer to Marilyn.

"Mischief" is another gem from the 80´s, with a story of friendship, love and rivalry. Gene is a nice character, Bunny is sweet, Marilyn is hot, Kenny is the villain and the clumsy Jonathan is very funny, but his dream comes true. This film is a classic and the viewer never gets tired seeing it again every now and then. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Primeira Transa de Jonathan" (Jonathan´s First Score")

There is just about an entire genre of coming-of-age-in-the-'50's movies. Boomer self-absorption/nostalgia, I guess. This is a pretty good one. Kelly Preston was the only cast member I was at all familiar with, and she was lovely. (And naked!) Everyone did a pretty good job here, and all of the cliches were present. A general note for people making films about the '50's. Those beautifully restored vintage '50's cars look great, and I'm sure the filmmakers salivate over photographing them. But for a touch of realism, there should be some '40's vintage cars that look like they have some miles on them, and maybe even one or two beat-up '30's cars. Not everyone has a brand new car, particularly in a small town. Anyway, this film is worth a look. Grade: B

When you look back at films from the 80s, they all have this distinctive old-fashioned "feel" to them and it's not just the big hair and leg warmers. Even something set in earlier times, like "Happy Days" or "Peggy Sue got married" feels a bit dated.

Mischief, however feels like it could have been released this year. Maybe it's the natural and casual way that sex is portrayed in the film that is typical today but not then (think Porky's or Animal House). The scene with Preston and McKeon is pretty explicit even by today's standards but at the same time sweet, innocent and funny. The characters, situations and dialogue throughout the film feel very real and genuine and maybe that's what keeps it modern and relevant.

Anyway, the film isn't preachy, maudlin or overly sentimental as it could easily have been. It just tells the story of two young guys bonding and learning a lot about life and a little about love. And with that type of subject matter, it's pretty funny without having to try too hard...