Back to School (1986)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Luke B

  
  Rodney Dangerfield is one of the greatest stand up comedians ever. His timing and delivery are simply perfect. This films shows that he also had some great acting talent. Nothing that pushes him too far, but certainly enough to propel the story along. Dangerfield decides to attend his… More
  Rodney Dangerfield is one of the greatest stand up comedians ever. His timing and delivery are simply perfect. This films shows that he also had some great acting talent. Nothing that pushes him too far, but certainly enough to propel the story along. Dangerfield decides to attend his son's college to help his son through the hard times. Obviously they each learn a little about each other along the way. There are many sequences and characters you will be familiar with, but Dangerfield is particularly lovable. He's supported by a strong supporting cast. The best moments are when Dangerfield proves himself as more than just a one-liner comedian.

• AJ V

  
  A very funny, but somewhat stupid, comedy starring Dangerfield. There are a couple of really funny jokes, but there are also some not very funny jokes. My favourite part is when Oingo Boingo plays at the party.

• Conner R

  
  Rodney Dangerfield at the top of his game, giving out laughs and a heartfelt father/son story. The premise is hilarious in itself, but the execution of it is what really makes it great. Kieth Gordon is a great straight man to the very lively and over the top nature of his onscreen… More
  Rodney Dangerfield at the top of his game, giving out laughs and a heartfelt father/son story. The premise is hilarious in itself, but the execution of it is what really makes it great. Kieth Gordon is a great straight man to the very lively and over the top nature of his onscreen father. Robert Downey Jr. also plays a pretty hilarious rendition of Robert Smith going to college part time. I like how this criticizes the the college experiences as well as romanticizing it.

• Mark H

  
  Not sure why, but this Rodney Dangerfield film actually improves with repeated viewings. Classic 80s comedy.

• Ken S

  
  The movie is genius

• Lenny M

  
  Classic lines from Dangerfield, along with Caddyshack, best you are going to get from him.

• jay n

  
  goofy and outlandish but Rodney and his character are so likable its a pleasure from beginning to end.

• Jason S

  
  Funny 80's flick. Pretty predictable.

• Michael S

  
  One of Rodney Dangerfield's best.

• Dean M

  
  Rodney Dangerfield is a comic rather like Bernard Manning, only not so shy.

• danny d

  
  sort of funny but abnoxious as well

• Lanning :

  
  Hey! Shakespeare for everyone! <p> I celebrate this movie for several reasons. First and foremost, Rodney, you have my respect and you are missed. <p> Is she right? 'Cause I know that's the <b>popular</b> version of what went on there. And a lot of… More
  Hey! Shakespeare for everyone! <p> I celebrate this movie for several reasons. First and foremost, Rodney, you have my respect and you are missed. <p> Is she right? 'Cause I know that's the <b>popular</b> version of what went on there. And a lot of people like to believe that. I wish I could, but I was <b>there.</b> I wasn't here in a classroom, hoping I was right, thinking about it. I was up to my knees in rice paddies, with guns that didn't work! Going in there, looking for Charlie, slugging it out with him. . . .<p>It doesn't end there. One of the most hilarious rants in film history. When Sam Kinison passed away on some lonely highway in California, his last words, reportedly, were "Why now?" So sad. He'd worked long and hard to get to the top of his profession and finally, seemingly, he'd arrived. If you know this comedian and enjoy his persona, you will love him as history professor Terguson. <p> The University of Wisconsin, Madison -- Go Badgers! . . . This was filmed in autumn, the most beautiful time of year with the full glory of the color changes peaking. The campus of America's best college town looks so good, and the location shooting in places like Bascom Hall sends waves of nostalgia washing through me every time I watch this.

• James A

  
  Rodney Dangerfield searches for a missing child by possing as a asian honor role student in this off color thriller. So intense I queefed, and I dont even have a vagina.

• Christopher O

  
  Comedy centered around a slob is not easy to play but Dangerfield mastered it and made the slobs he played lovable and somewhat redeemable. Dangerfield is quite good as a loving father who goes to college to be closer to his son. The comedy is improbable and goofy but never really… More
  Comedy centered around a slob is not easy to play but Dangerfield mastered it and made the slobs he played lovable and somewhat redeemable. Dangerfield is quite good as a loving father who goes to college to be closer to his son. The comedy is improbable and goofy but never really diry as to ruin it's heart. It has just the needed raunch. Keith Gordon is also quite good as Rodney's son who struggles to tell the girl of his dreams he likes her. Good laughs and a feel good ending.

• Danny R

  
  A totally delightful and hilariously funny 80's mega-hit comedy, starring the late great Rodney Dangerflield who delivers a masterful laugh-out-loud comic performance that completely dominates this film as Thornton Melon a self-made multi-millionaire clothing manufacturer who has… More
  A totally delightful and hilariously funny 80's mega-hit comedy, starring the late great Rodney Dangerflield who delivers a masterful laugh-out-loud comic performance that completely dominates this film as Thornton Melon a self-made multi-millionaire clothing manufacturer who has a chain of a 150 Tall & Fat stores nationwide he enrolls in his beloved son Jason's college in order to encourage him not to drop out, Jason who is superbly played by Keith Gordon is somewhat of a misfit there and is completely miserable at the school. Dangerfield's outrageous misadventures at the college as he tries to help his son are moments of pure comic brilliance some of the highlights include Rodney's rendition of "Twist & Shout" with a local rock band and him joining the school swimming team to win a championship not mention Rodney reciting Dylan Thomas at a school oral exam, there are also heartfelt father & son moments between Dangerfield and Gordon that are quite moving, their chemistry rings true. The supporting cast are all impeccable they include Sally Kellerman's brilliant performance as Diane Turner the sexy English teacher that Rodney falls like a rock for, a solid Burt Young as Lou, Rodney's best friend and ape-like bodyguard, a young Robert Downey Jr. turns in a very amusing performance as Jason's oddball friend Derek Lutz, Paxton Whitehead is a hoot as Rodney's nemeses Professor Philip Barbay and Adrienne Barbeau delivers a mermorable turn as Rodney's bitch-wife from hell, the lovely Terry Farrell turns a sweet performance as Jason's love interest Valerie, William Zaba is perfect as the frat-boy asshole named Chaz, the great character actor M. Emmet Walsh delivers a wonderful down to earth turn as swimming Coach Tumbbull, Ned Beatty is totally priceless as "Dean Martin," but special kudos must go to the late stand-up comic Sam Kinison in a brief scene-stealing role as American history Professor Terguson a shell-shocked Vietnam war veteran that has the tendency to go completely nuts in his classroom, Kinison is a laugh riot in this role. A extremely entertaining, feel-good film with some truly classic Dangerfield one-liners but the key to this film's enormous success is that Rodney's character is so damn lovable and endearing, this film is one of my personal all-time favorite motion pictures. Highly Recommended.

• Deb S

  
  A classic 80's comedy and Rodney Dangerfield portrays Thornton Melon, a self-made man who owns a national chain of clothing stores that cater to over-weight people. Mellon has a problem, however. He never got an education and he worries over his nerdy son Jason (Keith Gordon) who… More
  A classic 80's comedy and Rodney Dangerfield portrays Thornton Melon, a self-made man who owns a national chain of clothing stores that cater to over-weight people. Mellon has a problem, however. He never got an education and he worries over his nerdy son Jason (Keith Gordon) who is a struggling freshman in college and has aspirations of dropping out and trying to make it as his father did. After Thornton embarrasses his wife (Adrienne Barbeau) and several guests at a high society party, he winds up being divorced and decides to go back to college. He chooses the same college that Jason attends in an effort to have more bonding time with his son and possibly inspire him. Sally Kellerman is wonderful as the idealistic English professor, who falls for Mellon. All in all, a good comedy with some hilarious moments with excellent supporting roles by Ned Beatty, Sam Kinison and Robert Downey Jr. An absolute hoot

• Bill C

  
  I hadn’t seen this movie in 5+ years and caught it the other day. The arc really does a good job of reminding me of the transition from under you parents wing where a first there idiots when you in your late teens and when you move out to college or just alone and you develop a… More
  I hadn’t seen this movie in 5+ years and caught it the other day. The arc really does a good job of reminding me of the transition from under you parents wing where a first there idiots when you in your late teens and when you move out to college or just alone and you develop a greater understanding of who they are. Dangerfield’s self effacing comedic style once unique too him is now standard fare in the comedic world I am biased on this film, it was filmed at my alma mater UW-Madison. Oingo Boingo one of my favorite 1 hit wonders plays there hit in the party scene and a young Robert Downey Jr plays the comic relief before he makes his series of public service announcement type movies. Well ahead of its time Lorretta Switt from MASH 1976, easily in her 40’s plays Dangerfeild’s Love interest. Try to find another movie before 1995 that casts a woman in her forties as a love interest. If you loved Caddy shack I will guaranty you will find this at least very amusing.

• Lee K

  
  funny movie loved seeing burt young ( paulie in rocky) as dangerfields sidekick

• Leo L

  
  Very funny!

Read all 19 featured audience ratings