Ferris Beuller's Day Off
Narrative
This film is different from most A-A films, as it doesn't particularly follow the three part structure of most. The equilibrium of Ferris going to school isn't really and equilibrium, as Ferris does not actually like this. He creates his own disruption by bunking off school, and his sister and headmaster both trying to prove that he has been bunking. There are then also many smaller problems, such as losing Cameron's father's Ferrari, and Ferris narrowly avoiding his own father. The build up to the resolution is in this clip, where Ferris races to get home before his parents, and then the resolution is Ferris being safe at home again.
Iconography
In the film, most of the iconography is based on pop culture from the decade the film was set and made in; the eighties. The music is mostly from the eighties, as well as the fashion and technology. There is also the iconography of the famous Ferrari featured in the film, of which only one-hundred were made. There are references to art when they visit an art museum, particularly with Cameron's fixation on a famous piece by George Seurat.
Characters
Ferris, the main character, is the glue that holds the movie together. He has a boyish charm, and strong charisma and wit, and could be seen as a role model (not necessarily in a good way) for other teenage boys. He also narrates the film with monologues that break the fourth wall. Cameron acts as Ferris's sidekick, and is reluctantly dragged around by Ferris. His nervous and eccentric character adds comedic value to the film. Ferris's girlfriend, Sloane, is a character that also attracts a more female target audience. Ferris's sister and his headmaster act as the villains in the film, as they are the ones trying to foil his fun day off.
Settings
The film is set in Chicago, and has an urban feel, as all of the film takes place in the city. Ferris's boring suburban life could be seen as the reason behind his raucous behaviour. Some of the film takes place in a school setting, where the teachers in the school are made to seem 'square' and boring, making the audience root for Ferris, as they want him to show the dull teachers up.
