Higher education flies right off the comedy curve in this hilarious fun-fest loaded with "real out-loud laughs" (Los Angeles Times)! Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire) is "well cast and likeable" (Los Angele... more »s Times) in this "splendidly played" (Variety) film that scores top marks for reading, rioting and rock 'n' roll! Palmer Woodrow III (Dana Olsen) has everything money can buy except a high school diploma. And when his parents threaten to cut him off unless he graduates, Palmer decides he'd rather party in Parisand hire young hustler Eddie Keaton (Nelson) to attend a prestigious prep school in his place! Short on cash and long on debt, Eddie is glad to do it, if just to get away from his bookie, the dangerous Diceman (Andrew Dice Clay). Disguised as the perfect preppy, Eddie easily fools the faculty, charms the coedsand rocks the campus! But when the Diceman tracks him down, streetwise Eddie must keep his cover tostay in school or go back to the 'hood for good!« less
Mark L. (Dragonlew) from MEMPHIS, TN Reviewed on 5/13/2010...
Great movie...made right here in my hometown, Memphis,TN back in 1984.
Shon S. (shon) from HIGHLAND, MI Reviewed on 9/15/2009...
good movie kinda old school comedy
Movie Reviews
"A manly laugh, for manly men such as we."
Christoph B. Gondek | Portland, OR USA | 08/24/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I know what you're thinking. "Judd Nelson in a 80's teen movie. Pass" Such is your misfortune, because Making the Grade is a cut above most 80's teen movies, mainly because of an great supporting cast, led by screenwriter Dana Olsen in one of the great characters from 80's teen flicks, preppy slob Palmer Woodrow III. The plot is fairly simple. Palmer has to graduate from prep school, so, like all rich kids, he hires an impostor from the streets (Judd Nelson) to impersonate him at his new prep school, while he spends some quality slacking time. Unfortunately, he has picked a guy with a questionable pass, which will return to haunt them all. The two leads aren't very interesting and the fish out of water plot is hardly new, but once you get past that, you will be laughing at everyone else in the movie. Just remember Palmer's creed, "I'm rich, I don't have to be nice," and all will be well."
Another '80s Drive-in Classic!
Mr Doug Gordon | Toronto, ON Canada | 03/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was surprised to see this movie available on DVD. It was a long time since I had seen this movie, and viewing it again brought back some great memories from the '80s. Judd Nelson plays a street kid that switches places with a rich guy, and goes to Prep School for him. Lots of Preppies, and laughs are what this movie is all about! This classic was a Golan & Globus Production, which also gave us movies like "Breakin'", and "Invasion USA" If you like '80s teem comedies, this one is a "must have" for your collection."
Great period flick!!!
John Santiago | FPO, AP United States | 08/31/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
""'ha-ha-haa, ha-ha-haa, ha-ha-ha-ha-haa-haaaa' a manly laugh, for manly men such as we" These, and other infamous quotes will undoubtedly go down in history as misunderstood genius. Or, maybe, they will just go down in history. Regardless, Making the Grade chronicles the mishaps of that zany group, Palmer, Eddie, and the charasmatic Dice, as they trapse throughout Hoover prep in search of Love, money, and those last 11 minutes on the hour. In addition, the sound track by Shandi brings such incredible emotional swells that one can only be reduced to tears. Even if you aren't a fan of 80s B movie genre, you find a loveable cast carving out shards of humanity in a humanistic drama wrought by cunning deception and vengeful greed. A great movie depicting a classic era. Its also a great educational film. Quotes like "remember, its almost NEVER the letter E" got me through a prestigious medical school. Give this one time, its an acquired taste, like Brie. You will love it."
You have to be in the right mood..
John Santiago | 10/14/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a funny screwball prep-school comedy; most plot devices are pretty standard but it is amusing nonetheless. Of course it is one of Judd Nelson's first movies, and although there are no surprise endings here, it is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. Andrew Dice Clay shows up for a while, harkening back to an era when his film presence wasn't poison (pre MTv ban). Overall an enjoyable movie."
A LONG FORGOTTEN 80'S COMEDY! WELCOME HOME!
! MR. KNOW IT ALL ;-b | TRI STATE AREA | 07/14/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I had not seen this comedy for at least 20 years, before watching this last night. I was surprised how many little moments I remembered, but did not realize they were from this movie! The film starts out a little cheesy,but does pick up once the premise has been set up. The movie feature Andrew "Dice" Clay in a small,but important role. Dice pulls off a couple of funny impressions of Travola and Pacino and plays his "Dice Man" to the hilt. I like the movie because it has not been over played and it does have it's moments. The cast is good, there is a little twist on the same old story and you gotta love that generic 80's music! The DVD transfer looks good."