X
- 1986
- PG-13
- Orion Pictures
- 1 h 36 m
- 1986
- PG-13
- Orion Pictures
- 1 h 36 m
Summary Self-made millionaire Thorton Mellon (Rodney Dangerfield) decides to enroll in college to help his son adjust to life at school and on the diving team. Hilarity ensues.
Directed By: Alan Metter
- 1986
- PG-13
- Orion Pictures
- 1 h 36 m
- 1986
- PG-13
- Orion Pictures
- 1 h 36 m
Back to School
68
8.5
Where to Watch
Summary Self-made millionaire Thorton Mellon (Rodney Dangerfield) decides to enroll in college to help his son adjust to life at school and on the diving team. Hilarity ensues.
Directed By: Alan Metter
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
68
67% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
33% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
68
67% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
33% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
As vehicles for fat comedians who were big in the States but never exported well go, this self-proclaimed slob comedy is nearly a masterpiece and certainly much better than the comparable Revenge of the Nerds films.
It's a good character for Dangerfield, one that veers him away from the “I don't get no respect” pathos that comes too easily to him, and enough attention is paid to the minimal plot to integrate Dangerfield's classically constructed one-liners into something like a dramatic situation. This is what they mean by “a good vehicle.”
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 20 User Ratings
8.5
95% Positive
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
5% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 20 User Ratings
8.5
95% Positive
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
5% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
The profoundly strange presence of Rodney Dangerfield triumphs over sloppy writing and lumpy editing in this sometimes raunchy farce about a middle-aged dad who joins his son as a freshman at college. The theme of father-son loyalty is attractive, and the supporting cast is strong.
In this very funny Rodney Dangerfield comedy, there has been an important shift in Rodney`s entertainment persona, a shift that has made this small film a monster hit.
The film is a good-natured potpourri of gags, funny bits, populist sentiment and anti-intellectualism.
A comedy that belongs back on the drawing board.
The most jarring casting mistake (even more jarring than the miscasting of Dangerfield) involves Keith Gordon, who plays Thornton's son. Gordon, who has shown himself to be an intense and quirky actor in such films as Christine and Dressed to Kill, is a smoldering presence in what ought to be a light, comic role. His psycho-killer eyes just don't fit here.
Production Company
Orion Pictures,
Paper Clip Productions
Release Date Jun 13, 1986
Duration 1 h 36 m
Rating PG-13
Tagline Registration starts Friday, June 13, at theaters everywhere.
Awards
BMI Film & TV Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
American Comedy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
MTV Video Music Awards (VMA)
• 1 Nomination
