Back to School, (1986), PG-13, 1h 39m

Back to School

Age Rating: PG-13

Studio: Orion Pictures

Franchise: Standalone

Franchise Position: N/A

Total Runtime: 99 minutes

"A wealthy businessman goes back to college to encourage his discouraged son, but ends up enrolling himself."

Ratings

My Rating: 6.8/10

Dove Foundation Rating: 4/5

IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 72%

Metacritic: 56%

Plot Summary

Back to School is a comedy film starring Rodney Dangerfield as Thornton Melon, a wealthy but uneducated businessman. When his son decides to attend college, Thornton enrolls himself to support him. The movie follows their humorous escapades, from classroom antics to campus social life, highlighting Thornton’s unconventional methods of navigating academic challenges. The film combines slapstick comedy with clever satire about the education system and family dynamics.

Critics Review

Critics generally appreciated Rodney Dangerfield’s comedic performance and the film’s lighthearted humor. While some found the plot predictable, the combination of witty dialogue, physical comedy, and social commentary made it entertaining. The film has endured as a popular comedy from the 1980s, often praised for Dangerfield’s energetic performance.

Christian Perspective

From a Christian viewpoint, the film portrays themes of family support, encouragement, and personal growth. While the humor includes adult jokes and some irreverence, the story emphasizes responsibility, perseverance, and the importance of guiding and supporting one’s children, aligning with Christian values of family care and mentorship.

Family Friendliness

Rated PG-13, the movie contains mild adult humor and some suggestive content, making it suitable for teens and older viewers. Parents may want to discuss some of the jokes and social behaviors depicted. Despite this, it promotes positive messages about family bonds, learning, and self-improvement.

Notable Songs

N/A