The Freshman

The Freshman (1990)

  • 94% of critics liked it
    (33 reviews)

  • 53% of users liked it
    (11,233 ratings)

In this farcical comedy, Matthew Broderick plays Clark Kellogg, an aspiring director who arrives in New York City to attend film school. However, moments after he arrives in the city, he's robbed by Victor Ray (Bruno Kirby), leaving him no money for the $700 in books required by his instructor,… More

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PG,
Directed By
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Jul 20, 1990 Wide
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

  • Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

    No film offering the spectacle of a Komodo dragon being transported across a state line for immoral purposes can be lightly dismissed.

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    Marlon Brando's sublime comedy performance elevates The Freshman from screwball comedy to a quirky niche in film history.

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    Sweet and warm as well as manic, this is full of loopy surprises.

  • , Time Out

    The casting, needless to say, is perfect, and Bergman keeps the various escalating intrigues clipping along at a brisk pace.

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

    A witty and enchanted comedy.

Read all 15 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Kase V


    A clever plot that is only enhanced due to Brando's satiric presence, 'The Freshman' is an enjoyable film whose jokes may fall flat most of the time, but still exudes a charm that makes it worthy of our time.

  • Universal D


    Brando spoofs his Godfather role ... that's the draw in this light fah-gettahboutit comedy that has a small town yoot (Broderick, serviceable) visit da Big Apple for the first time --- as a film student at NYU. And what film are they studying? Try ta guess, or y'sleep… More

  • AJ V


    This is a zany adventure comedy with movie legend Marlon Brando and 80s teen cutie Matthew Broderick. Being a fan of both of them, I really enjoyed this movie. It's nothing new, but it is entertaining.

  • danny d


    one of the truly brilliant comedies of the 1990's, and already a film being grossly overlooked. ive never been a big broderick fan, but this may be his best movie, and brando's ability to spoof his own creation is admirable. the humor is fresh and the story delightful. a… More

  • Cindy I


    I always try to give Matthew Broderick the benefit of the doubt since I liked him in Ferris Beuller so much, but he keeps disappointing me.

Read all 16 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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