Classic 80s yarn (Porky's (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Porky's (DVD)
Date:	14/09/09 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some great gags

Disadvantages: Not very sophisticated

Porkys is in many ways, along with the likes of American Grafitti, one of the early teen films that examined life, love, and in the case of Porkys, most prominently, sex. It's a cultural milestone and is also apparently due for a remake soon. It's got some many memorable scenes and iconic moments that it makes up for its overarchingly crude content with.

The film concerns a bunch of kids in the 1950s as they each attempt to lose their virginity, with middling success. The characters are varied and very memorable. They include Tommy Turner, a charming but cheeky youngster who is frequently embroilled in a feud with the gross and overbearing teacher Mrs. Ballbricker. Probably the most memorable character, though, is Edward "Pee Wee" Morris, a nerdy and socially inept young man who measures his penis daily and has an overbearing mother. He attempts to frequently woo Wendy, a girl who frequently flirts with and plays with him. Their group also includes Anthony "Meat" Tuperello, a hulking young man who leaves girls wondering why he is called meat, and always wants to show them why. There are also a few other characters, such as the requisite redneck, token anti-semite, and the one kid who actually is the voice of reason.

This all makes for a funny mix, with numerous zany situations, perhaps most famously as they attempt to spy on the girls shower room, resulting in the police being called and a hilarious interrogation sequence taking place. This may be crass and not all that smart but it has an interesting context and has so many gags that whilst some miss, a good wealth of them hit!

Is it crude? Yes. Is it childish? Damn right, but it's a lot of laughs, and serves up a slice of American Pie-for-the-80s that is surprisingly liberal for its time.

Summary: A classic case of dumb but fun