Fraternity Vacation

Fraternity Vacation is a 1985 American comedy film directed by James Frawley and starring Stephen Geoffreys, Cameron Dye, Sheree J. Wilson, and Tim Robbins. The film was produced by Robert Fitzgerald and written by Steve Roberts, with music composed by Angelo Badalamenti. Fraternity Vacation is often compared to other 1980s comedy films such as Animal House, Caddyshack, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, which were all released during the same era as films like The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The movie features a mix of slapstick comedy and satire, similar to films like Airplane!, The Naked Gun, and Blazing Saddles, which were all influenced by the works of Mel Brooks and Leslie Nielsen.

● Plot

The plot of Fraternity Vacation revolves around two fraternity brothers, Wendell Tvedt and Joe Gillespie, played by Stephen Geoffreys and Cameron Dye, who embark on a road trip to Palm Springs during their spring break. Along the way, they meet a variety of characters, including a beauty pageant contestant, Ashley Taylor, played by Sheree J. Wilson, and a nerd named Mother, played by Tim Robbins. The film's plot is reminiscent of other road trip movies like Easy Rider, Thelma and Louise, and National Lampoon's Vacation, which were all influenced by the works of Jack Kerouac and Hunter S. Thompson. The movie also features a number of cameos from notable actors, including John Vernon, Britt Ekland, and Max Wright, who have all appeared in films like Animal House, The Love Boat, and Alf.

● Production

The production of Fraternity Vacation was handled by New World Pictures, a film production company founded by Roger Corman, which was also responsible for producing films like Death Race 2000, Rock 'n' Roll High School, and Galaxy of Terror. The film was shot on location in Palm Springs and Los Angeles, with a budget of around $1 million. The movie's screenplay was written by Steve Roberts, who has also written for films like The Blues Brothers and Trading Places, which were both directed by John Landis and starred John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. The film's score was composed by Angelo Badalamenti, who has also worked on films like Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, and Mulholland Drive, which were all directed by David Lynch.

● Release

Fraternity Vacation was released on April 12, 1985, in the United States, where it was distributed by New World Pictures. The film was released during a crowded summer movie season, which included films like Back to the Future, The Goonies, and Fletch, which were all major box office hits. The movie received a mixed response from critics, with some praising its humor and performances, while others found it to be formulaic and predictable. The film has since become a cult classic, with a loyal following among fans of 1980s comedy films, who also enjoy movies like This Is Spinal Tap, Ghostbusters, and Beverly Hills Cop.

● Reception

The reception of Fraternity Vacation was mixed, with some critics praising its humor and performances, while others found it to be formulaic and predictable. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 40%, based on 12 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10. The film was also compared to other comedy films of the era, such as Porky's, Revenge of the Nerds, and Up the Creek, which were all released during the same time period as films like The Karate Kid, The Terminator, and Beverly Hills Cop. Despite its mixed reception, the film has developed a loyal following over the years, with many fans praising its quotability and re-watch value, similar to films like The Big Lebowski, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and The Princess Bride.

● Cast

The cast of Fraternity Vacation includes Stephen Geoffreys as Wendell Tvedt, Cameron Dye as Joe Gillespie, Sheree J. Wilson as Ashley Taylor, and Tim Robbins as Mother. The film also features a number of cameos from notable actors, including John Vernon, Britt Ekland, and Max Wright, who have all appeared in films like Animal House, The Love Boat, and Alf. The cast's performances were praised by some critics, with Stephen Geoffreys and Cameron Dye being singled out for their chemistry and comedy timing, similar to the duos in films like Wayne's World, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, and Dumb and Dumber.

● Themes

The themes of Fraternity Vacation include friendship, love, and self-discovery, which are all common themes in coming-of-age films like The Breakfast Club, Stand by Me, and Dead Poets Society. The film also explores the fraternity lifestyle, with its parties, pranks, and hazing, similar to films like Animal House and Old School. The movie's satire of fraternity culture is reminiscent of films like PCU and Van Wilder, which were both released during the 1990s and 2000s. The film's humor is also similar to that of National Lampoon, which was a major influence on the film's screenplay and direction, along with the works of John Hughes and Ivan Reitman.

Category:1985 films