--- title: "Fast Times at Ridgemont High: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high" critics_score: 68 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982): what the critics said Critics' score 68 from 10 reviews: 7 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like it, and the warmth has grown with time. The praise gathers around Sean Penn’s Spicoli, the spaced-out surfer nearly every review names as the thing worth watching, and around Amy Heckerling’s direction, which the reviews describe as open, generous and fond of its characters. Cameron Crowe’s script gets credit for being quotable, and later critics argue the film treats early sexual fumbling with a tenderness the genre rarely manages, without villains and without humiliation. The spread is wide. The first-run reviews are milder than the later ones: The New York Times finds it jumbled if appealing, and Variety thinks it never grips. Time Out files it as a witty exploitation picture that lacks the energy of its rivals. The sharp dissent is Roger Ebert, who calls it a failure of taste and nerve and objects to young performers being put in humiliating situations, though he too praises Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh. ## Empire — Emma Cochrane Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic finds the film lewd, funny and immensely quotable, calling it one of the very best high school dramas ever made. They single out Cameron Crowe's witty script and the strong early performances from future stars including Sean Penn, Nicolas Cage and director Amy Heckerling. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/fast-times-ridgemont-high-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 May 2021. The critic praises the film as a high-water mark in teen comedies for its tender, empathetic approach to youthful indiscretions and coming-of-age without villains. It stands out for infusing the genre with insight into how young people shape personalities through popular culture and consumerist pressures. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-blu-ray-review-amy-heckerling/) ## The AV Club — Tasha Robinson Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 9 May 2008. The critic finds the film holds up well as a superior teen sex comedy with relatable characters and universal affection rather than dated jokes or humiliation humor. It stands out for its lighthearted, respectful take on early sexual experiences and high-school life. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-1798214175) ## The New Yorker — Pauline Kael Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 25 October 1982. Kael describes the film as not-bad and likable for a youth-exploitation movie, with an open, generous tone under Heckerling's direction. She singles out Sean Penn's star-making performance as the surfer-doper Spicoli. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1982/11/01/rice-krispies) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Gina Friedlande Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 August 1982. The critic finds the film warm and engaging, distinguishing it from other teen comedies through its heartfelt take on adolescence. Heckerling is singled out as a gifted director who balances comedy and emotion effectively. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-review-movie-1982-1236557988/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 1982. Maslin finds the film a jumbled but appealing teen comedy with a fresh perspective on high school life. She singles out Sean Penn's scene-stealing turn as the surfer Spicoli for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/03/movies/ridgemont-high.html) ## Vulture — Alden Ford Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 2 March 2011. The writer enjoys the film as an entertaining time capsule and ensemble piece that captures the awkwardness and freedom of adolescence through fond, ironic eyes. It succeeds by showing a group of characters navigating uncertain teen years in a hectic but amiable way. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2011/03/watching-fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-for-the-first-time.html) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1981. The review notes the film lacks gripping elements despite its literary origins but finds pleasant characters overall. It singles out Sean Penn's joy to watch as the spaced-out surfer and Judge Reinhold's terrific work as a straight kid in fast-food jobs. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1981/film/reviews/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-1200425218/) ## Time Out — DP Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2014. The film is essentially a sex-and-fun exploitation movie with school stereotypes, a rock score and focus on dating rituals. It is a relatively witty example of its kind with an enjoyable Sean Penn performance, but lacks the frenzied energy of competitors like Porky's. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 1982. Ebert calls the film a failure of taste, tone, and nerve, criticizing its raunchy vulgarity and exploitation of young performers in humiliating situations. He singles out Jennifer Jason Leigh's fresh performance for praise while noting Sean Penn is perfect as Spicoli. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-1982) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high.md