Sometimes we need a film where society’s rules are cheerfully trampled upon.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) is the perfect example of joyful anarchy. The titular character, Ferris Bueller, is a high school senior who, with his girlfriend, fakes an illness to take the day off school. His goal is to cheer up his best friend, a fretful hypochrondiac named Cameron.
The trio “borrow” a Ferrari for a frenetic trip through Chicago, giving us a virtual tour of the city, and letting us see how Ferris maneuvers his way into the most unexpected places.
In Ferris’s world, there are no rules that can’t be overcome, no situations that can’t be conquered, no parade that you can’t hijack and become the headliner of. It’s using the best of society while fooling everyone into thinking you’re making society even better.
Cameron explains Ferris’s appeal and does so, remarkably, without jealousy. “As long as I’ve known him, everything works for him,” he says. “There’s nothing he can’t handle. I can’t handle anything: school, parents, future. Ferris can do anything.”
Not only is Ferris Bueller the star of his own life, he’s the star of everyone’s life.
Writer/director John Hughes almost has us believing we ourselves could actually experience this kind of day. We could be Ferris Bueller, given the right circumstances – and a patterned vest with a white T-shirt.
Unless, sadly, you’re Ferris’s sister, who lives in an Opposite Universe. Rules taunt her, situations reward her adversaries, and there are no parades to be the star of. There’s only so much luck to go around in this movie, and Ferris’s beleaguered sister ain’t included.
Let us not forget Mr. Rooney, Ferris’s lackluster principal, who sees himself as the Boss of students. Rooney doesn’t buy Ferris Bueller’s baloney, nor is he swayed by his charm. Nay, Rooney knows a universal truth: If one person breaks the rules, then everyone might. One free-thinking person can obliterate law and order.
Even so, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off has themes of friendship, family loyalties, and confronting the things that need to be confronted.
It’s life-affirming anarchy.
The aggrieved Principal Rooney. Image: IMDb
Why is Ferris Bueller so successful? Why does everything go his way?
He has the face of an innocent with the brains of a mastermind. It’s a relief to know he uses his powers for his friends’ benefit and not for global domination.
Because this film has the rare quality of being credible and incredible at the same time, fans have developed many theories, such as:
Ferris really is sick on his day off, and the whole thing is a fevered dream.
Cameron is sick, and the whole thing is his a fevered dream.
Ferris has an insanely high IQ.
Cameron is secretly in love with Ferris’s girlfriend.
The characters live in a Groundhog Day loop, which is why everything goes so smoothly.
Our favourite theory is Ferris is not real; he is the product of Cameron’s troubled subconscious.
Cameron has a difficult home life. His parents are wealthy and devote more time to their haute couture lifestyle than to their son. The “borrowed” Ferrari belongs to Cameron’s dad, and it’s kept like a shrine in a temple-garage with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Our Cameron is a forgotten, unloved child, who must Behave and Stay Out of the Way. We never see Cameron’s parents, which is only fair, because it seems he doesn’t, either.
For Cameron to escape this life, goes the theory, he invents Ferris Bueller, an uninhibited, no-holds-barred alter ego who charges into life head on and never loses. With this persona, Cameron can bear his bleak existence.
But events in the film will push Cameron to face some difficult truths on his own, without Ferris’s help.
When the unimaginable happens. Image: TMDB
They say John Hughes wrote Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in a week, and filmed it in three months with a budget of $5 million US (approx. $15 million today). It grossed $6.2 million US during its opening weekend, and was the tenth highest-grossing movie of 1986.
With so many films based in New York, why did Hughes choose Chicago?
“Chicago is what I am,” said Hughes. “A lot of Ferris is sort of my love letter to the city….I really wanted to capture as much of Chicago as I could, not just the architecture and the landscape, but the spirit.”¹
In this film, Ferris breaks the fourth wall to talk to the audience directly. He does this 26 times, according to the websites that keep track. Even in the movie-making process, Ferris plays by his own rules.
Have you seen Ferris Bueller’s Day Off? If so, what are some of your favourite scenes?
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off starring Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara. Written & directed by John Hughes. Paramount Pictures, 1986, Colour, 103 mins.
Loved reading this great article! I must admit, I still haven’t seen this very popular film (I know, I know). Just didn’t happen, but I will! Weirdly enough, I participated in a film quiz last week and new the answer to a question in connection with that film, so I guess it indicates how much part of pop culture it is.
“Joyful anarchy” is the most perfect description I’ve ever heard of this movie! As a solid rule-follower I tend to relate to Cameron, but good thing I have sisters to get me to have some fun every once in a while. Just not to the extent of this movie! Next time I watch it I’ll keep in mind the theory of Ferris being a figment of Cameron’s imagination. The parade scene is ICONIC and I heard that it was filmed in one take? Not sure if that’s true, but impressive either way!
My heart goes out to Cameron, as well as his sister, Jeanie. I’m a rule-follower too, and I also have sisters to pull me out of my fuddy-duddy-ness. Thanks for stopping by!
What a wonderfully written review! The way you described the character of Ferris Bueller feels reminiscent of Eddie Munson. Like Ferris, Eddie puts the needs and concerns of others before himself. Also, like Ferris, Eddie never gives up, even when a situation becomes difficult. Reflecting on your review, as well as other John Hughes movies, I realize how, sometimes, the story focuses on a younger character either solving problems individually (such as Kevin famously setting up the traps in Home Alone) or working together to solve a problem (like the characters in The Breakfast Club trying to figure out how they’ll spend their time in detention). That aspect of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off feels reminiscent of Eddie’s story, as Eddie and his friends work together in their attempt to defeat the creatures from the Upside Down. Thank you so much for participating in The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon!
I remember this post, and your unconventional opinion. I don’t think I could take Ferris Bueller on a day-to-day basis in real life, but I do enjoy him as a movie character.
I love the “joyful anarchy” of this film. Great description! All those crazy scenes. That said, one of my favorite scenes is Jennifer Grey’s quiet and deep (and comically rude) conversation with Charlie Sheen in the police station. And the scene when Cameron breaks down and takes out his anger on the inanimate object closest to his father. It gets me every time. I think the unexpected violence is so out of sync with the rest of the movie, it startles just enough to get the viewer to really pay attention. It’s incredibly powerful.
I had heard that alter ego theory: Ferris is not real; he is the product of Cameron’s troubled subconscious. Not sure I buy it but it is interesting to think about. And because Cameron literally says Ferris can do all the things he can’t makes it that much more interesting. Great post!
I like what you said about the unexpected violence, and how jarring it is, set in a film like this. That scene always gets me too. Cameron’s anguish is palpable, isn’t it?
You make a good point about Jennifer Grey’s character. She is terrific in this film! I wonder what a film might look like with her as the main character, and Ferris as secondary…
“One free-thinking person can obliterate law and order.” This movie is an excellent example of how order can exist outside of “law”. That one free-thinking person is only a threat to those who seek to rule.
That is such a good point you raised, about free thinkers being a huge threat to those who want to rule. I’ve seen free thinkers in action in everyday situations, and the way they can upend things – even in small ways – is remarkable.
Silver Screenings 
A joyous film, Ruth. Love your theory about Cameron.
Favourite scene? It has to be the Twist And Shout sequence.
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Me too! I absolutely love the Twist & Shout scene. It’s like a music video inside the movie.
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My kind of town, Chicago is…
I had no idea about people’s theories about this movie! That’s just wild and almost crazier than Groundhog day
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Isn’t it, though? There are a surprising number of websites dedicated to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
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I always enjoyed this movie!! 🙂
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It’s so much fun, isn’t it? It never gets old.
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Loved reading this great article! I must admit, I still haven’t seen this very popular film (I know, I know). Just didn’t happen, but I will! Weirdly enough, I participated in a film quiz last week and new the answer to a question in connection with that film, so I guess it indicates how much part of pop culture it is.
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Whaaaat? You – one of the best film reviewers – haven’t seen this? I think you’ll get a real kick out of it. It’s so much fun.
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“Joyful anarchy” is the most perfect description I’ve ever heard of this movie! As a solid rule-follower I tend to relate to Cameron, but good thing I have sisters to get me to have some fun every once in a while. Just not to the extent of this movie! Next time I watch it I’ll keep in mind the theory of Ferris being a figment of Cameron’s imagination. The parade scene is ICONIC and I heard that it was filmed in one take? Not sure if that’s true, but impressive either way!
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My heart goes out to Cameron, as well as his sister, Jeanie. I’m a rule-follower too, and I also have sisters to pull me out of my fuddy-duddy-ness. Thanks for stopping by!
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I love this film and it’s one of the more timeless 80s movies. Adore Jennifer Grey in this as his really annoyed sister…
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Ha! Jennifer Grey was the PERFECT annoyed sister. You really felt for her character.
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I thought she had a lovely chemistry with Charlie Sheen too.
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She really did. That’s a great point.
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What a wonderfully written review! The way you described the character of Ferris Bueller feels reminiscent of Eddie Munson. Like Ferris, Eddie puts the needs and concerns of others before himself. Also, like Ferris, Eddie never gives up, even when a situation becomes difficult. Reflecting on your review, as well as other John Hughes movies, I realize how, sometimes, the story focuses on a younger character either solving problems individually (such as Kevin famously setting up the traps in Home Alone) or working together to solve a problem (like the characters in The Breakfast Club trying to figure out how they’ll spend their time in detention). That aspect of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off feels reminiscent of Eddie’s story, as Eddie and his friends work together in their attempt to defeat the creatures from the Upside Down. Thank you so much for participating in The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon!
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Thanks so much! You made some excellent comparisons between Eddie Munson and Ferris Bueller. Thank you for hosting this blogathon. 🙂
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Ferris is so iconic. I liked seeing Ben Stein in this movie, too.
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Ben Stein is perfect in his role. Genius casting.
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I totally forgot about Louie Anderson in this movie. And like I said a while back, everybody loves Ferris…except me. https://dubsism.com/2022/11/20/movies-everybody-loves-that-i-hate-episode-15-ferris-buellers-day-off/
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I remember this post, and your unconventional opinion. I don’t think I could take Ferris Bueller on a day-to-day basis in real life, but I do enjoy him as a movie character.
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I just wrote a reeeealy long comment. Did you get it? Did it disappear into the ethos???
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I did get your fab comment – thanks!
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I had to rewrite it. 😁 But I think I got most of it!
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Did WordPress boot your comment out? There’s a character limit on comments?
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I don’t know about a character limit. It just wouldn’t post. *whispers* I haven’t been on here in a long time and may have done something wrong.
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Haha! I doubt that.
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I love the “joyful anarchy” of this film. Great description! All those crazy scenes. That said, one of my favorite scenes is Jennifer Grey’s quiet and deep (and comically rude) conversation with Charlie Sheen in the police station. And the scene when Cameron breaks down and takes out his anger on the inanimate object closest to his father. It gets me every time. I think the unexpected violence is so out of sync with the rest of the movie, it startles just enough to get the viewer to really pay attention. It’s incredibly powerful.
I had heard that alter ego theory: Ferris is not real; he is the product of Cameron’s troubled subconscious. Not sure I buy it but it is interesting to think about. And because Cameron literally says Ferris can do all the things he can’t makes it that much more interesting. Great post!
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I like what you said about the unexpected violence, and how jarring it is, set in a film like this. That scene always gets me too. Cameron’s anguish is palpable, isn’t it?
You make a good point about Jennifer Grey’s character. She is terrific in this film! I wonder what a film might look like with her as the main character, and Ferris as secondary…
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It is! The anguish is tough to watch and, again, set in a movie that’s so lightheartedly absurd and full of joyful anarchy, it’s striking.
Yes, Jennifer Grey is SO good in this film. Haha! A Day in the Life of Ferris Bueller’s Sister.
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Ha! I love that title for a movie!
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“One free-thinking person can obliterate law and order.” This movie is an excellent example of how order can exist outside of “law”. That one free-thinking person is only a threat to those who seek to rule.
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That is such a good point you raised, about free thinkers being a huge threat to those who want to rule. I’ve seen free thinkers in action in everyday situations, and the way they can upend things – even in small ways – is remarkable.
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