The key to understanding the young man who helped put the "high" in Ridgemont
High is a little nugget of wisdom that Sean Penn's blond So Cal surfer drops when he's
asked about his employment prospects. Jeff Spicoli doesn't
... more need a job: "All I
need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz and I'm fine." Given the large amount of
smoke that pours out of his buddy's van when Spicoli opens the door, it doesn't
take a brain surgeon to figure out what, exactly, is providing that "cool buzz."
(On the DVD commentary track, director Amy Heckerling recounts the future Oscar winner
used a rather Method-like approach to achieve a certain amount of realism.
Ahem.) Penn went on to become one of the most renowned dramatic actors of his
generation, but watching his breakout performance in this teen comedy, it's
impossible not to crack up every time this lost Angeleno lets out his seriously
baked giggle. Any doubt this space case is burning on both ends (and we're not
talking candles) is laid to rest once Spicoli strikes a Vans slip-on against his
head. "Dude, that was my skull," he informs his buddy. "I'm so wasted!"
(Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection)Close
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