The Buddy System (1984)

A quiet school truant officer, Joe, uncovers a young boy's attempt to fake a residential address, and subsequently gets involved romantically with the boy's mother. The truant officer ... See full summary »

Director:

Glenn Jordan

Writer:

Mary Agnes Donoghue

Stars:

Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Sarandon, Nancy Allen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Joe
Susan Sarandon	...	Emily
Nancy Allen	...	Carrie
Jean Stapleton	...	Mrs. Price
Wil Wheaton	...	Tim
Edward Winter	...	Jim Parks
Keene Curtis	...	Dr. Knitz
Tom Lacy	...	The Man Who Gives Emily the Test
Lee Weaver	...	Ray
Carolyn Coates	...	Teacher
Milton Selzer	...	Landlord
Todd Everett	...	Frank
F. William Parker	...	Lawyer
Bianca Taylor	...	Woman Customer (as Bianca Ferguson)
Lew Horn	...	Pet Shop Owner

Storyline

A quiet school truant officer, Joe, uncovers a young boy's attempt to fake a residential address, and subsequently gets involved romantically with the boy's mother. The truant officer waffles between a sadistic relationship with his on-again, off-again girlfriend and the mother. When one of the officer's inventions takes off, he chooses the girl and shatters the friendship with the boy and his mother. Only at the last possible moment does he figure out what he's sacrificed, and attempts to get it back.

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Plot Keywords:

truant officer | love triangle | inventor | mother son relationship | single mother | 

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was never shown theatrically in the UK when first released & went straight to video.

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Goofs

while Joe, Emily and Tim were having a toast to celebrate the sale of the "dog wash", Emily's glass of liquid raised and lowered twice. Not a lot but noticeable.

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Quotes

Carrie: How would you feel if I wanted to know every little thing about you?
Joe: I'd feel loved.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Heart Like a Wheel/The Buddy System/La Balance/Carmen/Lonely Hearts (1983)

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Soundtracks

Here's That Sunny Day
Lyrics by Will Jennings
Music by Patrick Williams
Performed by Gladys Knight & The Pips

User Reviews

What's wrong with it?

This is a delightful 80's movie & what's wrong with it being predictable..yes, I love movies that you don't know what's going to happen, but every once in a while I love a movie i don't have to guess through. This is a feel good movie. You want to be the characters in this movie & it leaves you with a warm & nostalgic feeling!

Richard Dreyfus is a marvel & he makes everybody that plays with him seem to be a marvel. There are not enough good words to talk about Susan Sarandon. She is as fine an actress as can be. it was great seeing her young & so beautiful. It was very strange however to see Jean Stapleton in this movie. Very weird to see her out of her Edith Bunker character.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Life Upside Down

Filming Locations:

Stage 20, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$524,672, 22 January 1984

Gross USA:

$1,820,049

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,820,049

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 102 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color