Storming the Netflix charts isn’t just reserved for brand new titles or live-action remakes of classic films. It is also an activity that almost any legendary film can partake in. This week it is time for Will Ferrell and his genre-defining masterpiece Old School, a film so good that it has become a blueprint for every stoner or teen comedy you’ve ever seen since. Now, that film is climbing the charts.
Starring Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughan, and Luke Wilson in pivotal roles, the official synopsis of the movie reads: “After discovering his girlfriend (Juliette Lewis) has been participating in group sex, attorney Mitch (Luke Wilson) feels his world come undone. He moves into a new place, which happens to be near a college campus, and tries to get his life back together. Two of his best friends, Frank (Will Ferrell) and Beanie (Vince Vaughn), start hanging out at Mitch’s house, eventually turning the place into a wild party pad, much to the ire of the college’s dean, Gordon “Cheese” Pritchard (Jeremy Piven).”
The question is, does a 19-year-old teen movie still hold up? The answer, unequivocally, is yes. Of course, if you’re looking for subtlety, then chances are you will be disappointed. If the light and shade of theatrical nuance is a must for any of your watching experiences, then move right on by Old School. However, if you want balls to the walls fun, with enough incredulous humour to keep a fart machine running all night long, then all you need to do is plug in.
Of course, and if you’re looking for the exact moment Will Ferrell became a star, then you’ve found it. It wasn’t his performance as the candy cane chugging Buddy the Elf that put Ferrell on top; it was his starring turn as ‘Frank the Tank’. A mild-mannered and recently married man whose life falls apart when he starts going back to his frat house ways.
It is this film that kickstarted Ferrell’s journey as one of the most quotable actors in comedy. Old School provided countless lines, including a drunkenly explained trip to do some DIY shopping as a “nice little Saturday” or the belting classic “we’re going streaking!”. It’s a classic from the early noughties, which is definitely worth revisiting.
Watch Old School on Netflix now.
