Fraternity Vacation (1985)

Director:

James Frawley

Writer:

Lindsay Harrison (writer)

Release Date:

12 April 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Astronomy major Wendell Tvedt has studied galaxies, charted planets and pondered the universe. But in Palm Springs, he'll encounter his first full moon.

Plot:

A nerd gains the friendship of two of his frat brothers when his dad offers them his condo for the week in Palm Springs...

Plot Keywords:

Fraternity | Rival | Nerd | Bet | Friendship

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Stephen Geoffreys	...	Wendell Tvedt
Sheree J. Wilson	...	Ashley Taylor
Cameron Dye	...	Joe Gillespie
Leigh McCloskey	...	Charles 'Chas' Lawlor III
Tim Robbins	...	Larry "Mother" Tucker
Matt McCoy	...	J.C. Springer
Amanda Bearse	...	Nicole Ferret
John Vernon	...	Chief Ferret
Nita Talbot	...	Mrs. Ferret
Barbara Crampton	...	Chrissie
Kathleen Kinmont	...	Marianne
Max Wright	...	Millard Tvedt
Julie Payne	...	Naomi Tvedt
Franklyn Ajaye	...	Harry
Charles Rocket	...	Madman Mac

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-3 (1988) (video release) | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Palm Springs, California, USA

Company:

New World Pictures

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Brotherhood (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

RESIST HER

Ultimate Cheese-I Love the 80's!

Wow, what an impression this movie and other movies like this made on me as a kid. I had thought, "Wow, I can't wait to go to college!" Upon a more recent viewing of this film, it had lost its luster. There are some great moments, for example the arrival to Palm Springs in traffic, which is pretty much dead on accurate, at least compared to Myrtle Beach spring break, even to this day. Unfortunately after that, very little could be considered realistic. The biggest issues I have with this movie are the 35 year old college frat guys, particularly the rich guys who were nothing but a 80's "Biff" device that are not believable in the slightest. These guys not only look 35, they act and dress as if they were 45, even while on spring break?

Also, the fun of the movie turns purely mediocre once the whole tired "bet" sequence begins (haven't we seen this before verbatim?).

Luckily, the ending turns out pretty solid however. One note to mention, the "nerd getting his day", another overused 80's device, is actually done better than average in this movie. One "neat factor" in this movie is seeing Tim Robbins in a role that most people would never believe he was in, but keep in mind that this was before his breakout success in Bull Duram. Heck, if someone offers me a role in a B level spring break movie, I wouldn't turn it down either! The only problem is that I am not 35 yet, and these days you have to be near 30 just to play a high schooler on TV shows (like Smallville) so maybe when I am 40? Overall, this is a fun movie that is best watched with a few beers and some friends, but don't even try to watch this one dead sober!!!