Published via Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

Films don’t have to be great in order to be successful. Sometimes it is enough to deliver the goods to the targetted audience. Such example can be found in Mischief, 1985 teen sex comedy directed by Mel Damski, one of the more underrated films of the genre.

The film, based on partially autobiographical script by Noel Black, is set in small town of Nelsonville, Ohio during 1956. Protagonist, played by Doug McKeon, is Jonathan Bellah, local high school student who is about to go to college and inherit father’s dentist practice. Until that happens, however, he is concerned with more immediate priorities, namely his lust over Marilyn McCauley (played by Kelly Preston), the most beautiful girl in his school. Jonathan is shy and introverted and doesn’t seem to have any chance with her, but he receives help from Eugene "Gene" Harbrough (played by Chris Nash), another teenager who recently arrived from Chicago and whose motorcycle, rebellious attitude and James Dean mannerisms turn him into embodiment of "cool". Gene falls in love with beautiful girl Bunny Miller (played by Catherine Mary Stewart), but she is dating Kenny Brubaker (played by D. W. Brown), arrogant son of local department store owner and high school bully. Despite their differences, Jonathan and Gene become friends and decide to help each other in their romantic endeavours – Gene would teach Jonathan how to act "cool" while Jonathan would cover for Gene when he starts seducing Bunny.

Obviously inspired by success of Porky’s, this film tries to repeat its formula by mixing raunchiness and adult humour of 1980s with nostalgia towards 1950s . Black’s script is actually nothing special, and the characters are cliched and almost archetypal (the most annoying is the mousy girl played by Jami Gertz that turns into stunning beauty the moment she stops wearing glasses), while the plot features the expected mix of drag races, fights, pranks, love scenes and mild slapstick. Although script at times toys with somewhat darker subjects, like dysfunctional relationship between Gene and his father (played by Terry O’Quinn), general tone is very light and, unlike Porky’s, there is clearly more emphasis on nostalgia than raunchiness. Characters, despite being cliched, are likeable and despite foul languages, nudity and even rather explicit sex scene featuring McKeon and Preston, Mischief portrays 1950s as more innocent, gentler and kinder era compared with 1980s. That conservative view might infuriate more "wokish" elements of today’s audience, but those unburdened with ideology will probably appreciate well-directed and decently acted film that features rather impressive collection of early rock’n’roll and 1950s pop standards as its soundtrack. McKeon later claimed that he had time of his life on the set and it could be argued that at least some of that joy could be felt by those who watch Mischief.

RATING: 6/10 (++)