Better Off Dead

Although I grew up in the 80s, I didn't see the films of that decade until later. Long Duck Dong was as unfamiliar to me as Lloyd Dobler until after college, when I decided to rent the movies my friends quoted and referenced throughout high school. Last night I rented Better Off Dead. To a certain extent, I've grown up with John Cusak. In Better Off Dead, he's the awkward teenager who needs the French foreign exchange student to teach him to take a stand. By Say Anything, he's turned himself into the coolest kid in school. And then in Grosse Point Blank, he attends his high school reunion, just about the time I attended mine.

I was reluctant to attend our reunion. Patty talked me into attending, and she forced the issue as I circled the empty parking lot at the Groton Motor Inn looking for a spot. "Just park already!" Two cars pulled in on either side of us, and out stepped friends I had all but forgotten. Revelations continued through the night, whispered amongst friends ("She's a stripper!"), or shouted in semi-drunk stupors over the din of music and dancing ("I'm sorry for how I treated you, dude! I always admired you!"). It seemed everyone danced with everyone. From the mini-reunion in the parking lot to the gathering afterwards at Don's house, it was a love-fest. Returning to New York, Joanne and I met Lauren for brunch. Lauren was unable to attend the reunion and wanted to hear how it was. We sat and as she asked us questions, Joanne remarked, "I have to rely on what E says; I had to get drunk to go, and now I can't remember a thing." Posted by eku at January 29, 2004 9:35 AM