Making the Grade

Making the Grade

Category: (DVD)

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Editorial Reviews

Higher education flies right off the comedy curve in this hilarious fun-fest loaded with "real out-loud laughs" (Los Angeles Times)! Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire) is "well cast and likeable" (Los Angeles Times) in this "splendidly played" (Variety) film that scores top marks for reading, rioting and rock 'n' roll! Palmer Woodrow III (Dana Olsen) has everything money can buy except a high school diploma. And when his parents threaten to cut him off unless he graduates, Palmer decides he'd rather party in Parisand hire young hustler Eddie Keaton (Nelson) to attend a prestigious prep school in his place! Short on cash and long on debt, Eddie is glad to do it, if just to get away from his bookie, the dangerous Diceman (Andrew Dice Clay). Disguised as the perfect preppy, Eddie easily fools the faculty, charms the coedsand rocks the campus! But when the Diceman tracks him down, streetwise Eddie must keep his cover tostay in school or go back to the 'hood for good!

Customer Reviews

I want more Palmer and Eddie!

Reviewed by Claire, 2010-02-18

I remember being so happy they finally released this hilarious movie on dvd. It's such a classic cheesy-in-a-good-way 80's flick that I can and do watch it over and over again. Judd Nelson has that rare talent for playing many different types of characters and he did so throughout his brief career as an A list movie star. Playing con man Eddie Keaton as well as bully John Bender in The Breakfast Club then playing straight-laced Alec Newberry in St. Elmo's Fire, nerdy Phillip the Groover in Fandango, he also starred in From the Hip, Billionaire Boys Club, Relentless, New Jack City and a forgettable movie, Blue City, with Ally Sheedy that I didn't even bother seeing. Then his career seemed to falter and he was never the same. As much as I loved his Brat Pack movies, this pre-Brat Pack movie is my fave. Not only is he adorable but also funny. The scene where he struts into his dorm is classic- especially when he checks the pay phone for a possible left-over coin. But it isn't just his movie. Palmer Woodrow is a classic character and Dana Olsen is great as this lazy slob who's always up for anything and has a sense of humor about everything. Shame on the movie company though for teasing us that we would see more Palmer and Eddie in a movie titled Tourista that never came out. Shame on the movie company also for giving us great music but no soundtrack on cd so we could play it. The two songs by Shandi were great. One thing I couldn't understand was the Jonna Lee appeal. Her character and she herself were boring. The plot of the movie was complicated enough to be funny but not so convoluted that we were scratching our heads trying to figure it out. The coach and the Diceman (in his first appearance as his alter ego) were amusing too. Judd Nelson and Dana Olsen were so great in this movie that I really wish a sequel had been made. And a soundtrack. This movie is silly for sure but good fun and a definite 80's classic. I would also liked to have seen some bonus stuff on the dvd like maybe a commentary with any of the actors. It's always fun to know some behind-the-scenes factoids or trivia that only those on the set could provide. If you are a Judd Nelson fan, this is a must-have since it is the movie that started it all for him...

Movie memories

Reviewed by T. A. Powers, 2007-11-02

Judd Nelson is great in this comedy. He's a street wise guy, wanted for a debt, who hides out at a prep school, pretending to be a student who wants to skip without notice.

As a former prep school student, this brought back memories. The humor is still sharp, not dated, and Andrew 'Dice' Clay is in his element here as well.

A LONG FORGOTTEN 80'S COMEDY! WELCOME HOME!

Reviewed by ! MR. KNOW IT ALL ;-b, 2007-07-14

I had not seen this comedy for at least 20 years, before watching this last night. I was surprised how many little moments I remembered, but did not realize they were from this movie! The film starts out a little cheesy,but does pick up once the premise has been set up. The movie feature Andrew "Dice" Clay in a small,but important role. Dice pulls off a couple of funny impressions of Travola and Pacino and plays his "Dice Man" to the hilt. I like the movie because it has not been over played and it does have it's moments. The cast is good, there is a little twist on the same old story and you gotta love that generic 80's music! The DVD transfer looks good.

Making the Grade...

Reviewed by D. S. HARDEN, 2006-11-23

Along with another reviewer, I saw this movie on cable back in the 80's. I also enjoyed this flick (though I don't really remember why!). The price is right for cheap laughs. Four stars!

BORN & RAISED IN MEMPHIS

Reviewed by Cabaretjunkee, 2005-05-27

I have somewhat of a fondness for really cheesy, yet really gutsy, low-budget films. Basically if most people don't like it, I probably will. I love the 1980s Judd Nelson "bad-boy" image, and he's pretty sexy as a yuppie, too. I also love the fat, quiet, geeky character, played by Dan Schnieder (also a Memphis-native). This movie hit home for me, because it was filmed at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. My mom lives just down the street from there! Call me cheesy, if you must. I think this film is great, although probably for nostalgia more than anything.