Phil Joanou has a natural gift for generating substantial tension, the kind that gradually works itself into a frothy uproar by the third act. It's a tactic that serves the film quite well in the long run. Without that palpable suspense, Three O'Clock High would have shattered into thousands of bite-sized pieces by the hour mark. Hoping that Jerry somehow manages to overcome this life-threatening dilemma is what keeps you glued to tube for the duration, though I will say the destination is just as enjoyable as the journey.
None of this goofy excitement would have been remotely possible, of course, had it not been for a pair of strong performances from victim Casey Siemaszko and bully Richard Tyson. Though pasty and whiny, Siemaszko manages to turn Jerry Mitchell into someone you can pull for, an anti-hero of sorts for the MMORPG-obsessed shut-ins of the world. Richard Tyson, on the other hand, has the distinct pleasure of portraying one of the greatest bullies in cinematic history. Smartly written and impeccably cast, Buddy Revell is the perfect Goliath to Jerry's David, an oddly intelligent fellow with an unhealthy predilection for physical violence. He may be the film's proverbial "bad guy," but he's certainly no villain.
The next time your friends attempt to shove one of those John Hughes confections down your unwilling throat, lovingly suggest they feast their retro-cool retinas upon a neglected copy of Three O'Clock High. This sorely overlooked tale of bullies, victims, and documentary filmmakers is sure to please those who genuinely appreciate the silly cinema this strange little decade had to offer. Those who actually grew up during the excessive '80s will surely find several tender nuggets of mind-numbing nostalgia tucked thoughtfully within this thoroughly enjoyable 90-minute time waster. And on top of everything else, it teaches those savvy enough to seek it out a very important life lesson:
Pain is temporary. Film is forever.
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Article comments
1 - Dave Lifton
AND it has Jeffrey Tambor!
2 - Dynamo of Eternia
This is definately a great movie! I saw it years ago, and currently have it on DVD. It is definately up there in my eyes with the films of John Hughes and other great 80s movies of that style.